Southeast Division Notebook: Suggs’ hip contusion, Jovic’s reduced role, Hornets’ roster outlook
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Orlando, Fla. — A Monday MRI confirmed that Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs sustained a left hip contusion in Saturday’s NBA Cup contest against the New York Knicks, the team announced. The fifth-year guard will be re-evaluated daily, with his return hinging on how quickly he responds to treatment.
Suggs left the game in the third quarter after scoring 26 points and handing out seven assists in 29 minutes. Through 2025-26 he is averaging 15.4 points and 4.8 assists. While he recovers, head coach Jamahl Mosley could distribute additional minutes to Tyus Jones, Anthony Black and Jett Howard.
Heat’s Nikola Jovic fighting for floor time
Although Miami signed forward Nikola Jovic to a four-year extension in October, the 22-year-old has struggled to secure a rotation spot. He has been listed as a healthy scratch in five of the last nine games for which he was available, and his playing time has dropped to 19.3 minutes per outing after averaging 25.1 last season.
“The way my minutes fall is really sad,” Jovic told the Miami Herald. “I’m not trying to think about what they’re thinking because I know it’s hard for them, too. I’m just trying to stay positive and help these guys develop.”
Hornets in no rush to shake up roster
Despite an 8-18 start, the Charlotte Hornets are not pursuing major trades, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto during an appearance on the YES Network. Scotto said rookie guard Kon Knueppel has effectively become the franchise’s new face, and the front office still wants to evaluate a healthy core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Knueppel and Miles Bridges. Team officials believe that group could contend for a play-in berth if fully intact.
Miller gave the Hornets a scare Sunday when he exited briefly with an apparent shoulder injury against Cleveland. The second-year forward returned to hit a late three-pointer, and Charlotte eventually beat one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams in overtime. “It was a huge growth moment for us,” head coach Charles Lee said, noting that Miller finished with 13 rebounds. “He’s an offensive great, but he can be an elite two-way player, and it becomes contagious when one of our best players does that.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
