Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs is eager to get back to the court, and he is learning valuable lessons while rehabilitating from a knee injury.
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs has not played since Jan. 2 after suffering a Grade 1 right MCL contusion in a loss to the Chicago Bulls. Since then, the 24-year-old has been working diligently to return to the floor.
After Thursday’s shootaround, ahead of the Magic hosting the Charlotte Hornets, Suggs provided some encouraging news regarding his recovery.
“I feel good,” he said. “Especially hooping today, I felt really good. Just building back my confidence. Just eager to get playing. I ain't going to lie, I don't like sitting out.”
I've said that a million times, so I ain't going to beat a broken drum. But yeah, I feel good. It's been nice to gain my perspective, but I'm ready to hoop.”
Suggs has only been able to appear in 23 of the Magic’s first 42 games, and he will miss Thursday’s contest against Charlotte. In the games he has been available, Suggs is averaging 15 points, 4.7 assists and 1.9 steals.
While being sidelined, he has been able to gain a different perspective on how the team has fared without his presence on the court.
In Suggs’ view, much of what Orlando can do to accomplish success boils down to a common theme: Consistency.
“I think as we learn to continue to find consistent flow, consistent energy, no matter what's going on, no matter whether it's overseas, whether it's for a back-to-back, whether it's a team court. Whatever the case may be, I think for us, you know, finding that consistency in our approach and our play, and translating that, out onto the court.
You can talk about it, but, you know, you have to apply it each and every night and that's the actual challenge of this league. A lot of great minds in here that can figure out what to do and tell you this and that— what numbers to back it up and whatever. But, you got to go out every night and choose to do it. So, you know, I think for us, we continue to find that we continue to find our rhythm with each other.”
While rehabilitating his knee, Suggs has had to remember that patience is key. As a result, the adversity of the process has served as a chance for maturation.
“Patience,” he said candidly. “Trying on the patience part, trying not to be too hasty and no decision making; which I think is growth. It's the last place I want to be; it's the last thing I want to do; it's the last thing I was going for. While I was playing, sometimes things happen that you literally can't control.
So I think for me, it was the patience piece, both in knowing that I'm feeling better and feeling good, still listening to the people around me, listening to the minds that are taking care of me, and trusting that in due time, I'll be able to get back out there and play. It's not gone. It's just delayed. I'm still struggling with that fact.”