Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said Tuesday that point guard Jalen Suggs will be in uniform when the club begins the 2025-26 regular season against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.
Suggs, 24, had surgery in March to remove a cartilage fragment from his left knee, sidelining him for the rest of last season. He spent the summer rehabbing and did not appear in any of Orlando’s preseason contests, leaving his status for opening night uncertain.
Originally listed as questionable, the former No. 5 overall pick progressed to full 5-on-5 work in recent days. “It’s great to see him out there with full contact,” Mosley told reporters. “We know what he brings: energy, toughness, a defensive presence at the point of attack, and floor control on offense.”
Orlando plans to ease Suggs back with a minutes restriction and a cautious approach to back-to-back games, Mosley added.
Suggs is expected to slot behind Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane in the scoring hierarchy, but his defense remains critical. He earned All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2023-24 and has been a key factor in the Magic’s recent success. Last season he averaged a career-best 16.2 points along with 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals in 35 games. The Magic went 20-15 in those appearances and 21-26 when he was out.
The matchup with Miami is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Amway Center.
Source: Hoops Rumors
