Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs is expected to play in Wednesday’s home opener against the Miami Heat, the team announced on Wednesday. 

After his season was cut short in March following arthroscopic left knee surgery to remove a cartilage fragment, Suggs has been ramping up his workload throughout training camp and preseason and has recently been participating in five-on-five contact drills. 

What it Means for Suggs 

The news of Suggs’ return is the climactic point of a seven-month recovery period. It is gratifying for Suggs, whose commitment to a lengthy process is being rewarded with a return to the floor with his teammates as the Magic welcomes the 2025-26 season in front of the fans at the Kia Center. 

“Yeah; very rewarding,” Suggs said after Wednesday’s shootaround. “I don't think I've sat with it too much yet. I really just been excited to get to 7 o 'clock, but just going through shoot around this morning, watching the film intently, knowing that I'm going to use these things tonight to come out and put it in action. It feels great.” 

Suggs has not yet taken the time to relish his return, but he knows the moment will come when he absorbs the emotion of the moment. 

“Honestly, I'm sure in my reflection I'll feel some emotion, you know, both happy and emotional, I mean, this is just such a special moment, not only for me, but everyone who's poured in.” 

Suggs wanted to be ready for the start of training camp but came to accept it as unrealistic. Instead, he stayed patient and maintained an unwavering work ethic. 

“Whether it's in here and physically going through things, weight room, on court, on off days; no true off days,” Suggs said. “Because it's been a ton of body work and getting everything else around the knee and the knee right.” 

“So really just such a long process, but I think it came at the right time to be able to start the year off, no matter how it looks, no matter how long it is, just to be able to be on the floor with the guys and start to build up that repertoire, that gel, that chemistry in real time rather than just sitting and watching.” 

What it Means to Others 

It is a celebratory and momentous occasion for not only Suggs, but his coaches and teammates. 

I can't tell you how good it feels to have him back on the court, not just for us, but for him,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said.” “I think his ability and what he provides for this team, his energy, his journey that he's been on, just to get back on the court. That's what we're most proud of for him.” 

Through four NBA seasons, Suggs has established himself as an elite on-ball defender, which earned him an All-Defensive Team nod in the 2023-24 season. Now, his presence will complete Orlando’s new look core-four which features offseason acquisition Desmond Bane. 

Suggs’ prowess is something that All-Star forward Paolo Banchero is excited to have back. 

"I think he adds a different element to the team with his defensive energy and his ability to play those big plays in big moments,” Banchero said. “He definitely gives us an element we don't have when he isn't out there." 

What the Return Will Look Like 

While the excitement around Suggs’ return is palpable, the team wants to make sure it is approached properly. After shootaround, Mosley did not immediately commit to a plan regarding his minutes. 

“I'll let you know right before the game,” Mosley said. “The things that he does for us on the court are just at a different level. And we'll need that. And we're going to be smart about how we go about doing it. But just to have him back on the floor, it means the world to us right now.” 

Suggs expressed his desire to apply what he has done in the offseason and enjoy the moment. 

“Just continue applying the things that I’ve tried to build up over the summer,” Suggs said. “Good strength, good confidence; good trust in my intuition.” 

“That’s all I want to do tonight. Have fun, enjoy opening night in Orlando.”