Dec 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) drives to the basket past Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) in the third quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Jalen Suggs Injury Status For Celtics vs Magic

Originally posted on Boston Celtics on SI
By Alex Kirschenbaum | Last updated Jan 17, 2025 12:30 PM ET

Will All-Defensive Second Team Orlando Magic point guard Jalen Suggs hit the hardwood on Friday in a rematch against the Boston Celtics?

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According to the league's latest injury report, the 6-foot-5 pro remains on the shelf with the low back strain that's kept him out for nearly two weeks so far.

Suggs initially hurt his back on this play against the Toronto Raptors in a January 3 tilt. Orlando eventually won, 106-97.

Jalen Suggs was wheelchaired off the court after a non-contact back injury

Hope he's okay pic.twitter.com/6IHEabv2gI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 4, 2025

Prior to the injury, Suggs had been making a case for his first All-Star team this season, having taken on much of the offensive burden in the wake of monthslong oblique injuries to Magic star forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Banchero recently returned to action and looked none the worse for wear, though Wagner is still reconditioning.

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Just because Suggs is unavailable for Friday's showdown, doesn't mean he isn't still tackling his rehabilitation with force. Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel captured footage of the young guard being put through drills by vice president of player performance Arnie Kander at TD Garden on Friday morning, alongside shelved 2023 lottery pick Jett Howard.

Here was #Magic guard Jalen Suggs (low back strain) and Jett Howard (left ankle sprain) — who are both OUT tonight at Boston — going through some ball handling drills under the watchful eye of VP of Player Performance Arnie Kander at TD Garden.

Paolo Banchero dribbled nearby. pic.twitter.com/xFrCw4xbNA
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) January 17, 2025

Through his 34 healthy contests for the 23-19 Magic this year, Suggs is averaging 16.4 points on .410/.312/.907 shooting splits, 4.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks a night.

With Suggs out, his backup Cole Anthony has been serving as the team's starting point guard. Anthony is averaging 17.3 points on .444/.324/.684 shooting splits, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks over his last six games, all starts.

Emerging big man Goga Bitadze (concussion protocol), reserve guard Gary Harris (left hamstring strain), Franz's big brother Moritz (done for the year with a torn left ACL), and two-way player Mac McClung are Orlando's other listed injury absences as of this writing.

For the Celtics, two-way players JD Davison, Drew Peterson, and Anton Watson are all with Boston's NBAGL team, the Maine Celtics. Rookie Baylor Scheierman has been recalled, and will be available after an extended assignment in Maine.

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This article first appeared on Boston Celtics on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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