Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. makes quick return after injury scare

Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. is relieved that his injury suffered on Dec. 17 against Miami wasn’t worse, Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel writes. Carter had exited the game in a wheelchair after experiencing leg pain, but an MRI revealed that he suffered a lower right leg muscle strain.

“I was just scared that it was going to be something that was going to take me a while to come back from,” Carter said. “To hear the news that it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was was good. They told me to take it day by day and continue to get treatment on it.”

Carter missed six days and returned this past Thursday against New Orleans. He played just under 30 minutes in the contest, recording 17 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. He also registered a plus-11 net rating in the six-point loss.

There’s more from the Southeast Division:

• Khobi Price examines the good and bad of the Magic’s season so far in a different article for the Orlando Sentinel. Orlando is currently missing several players due to injuries and the NBA’s health and safety protocols, owning the second-worst record in the league at 7-27.
• Rod Boone of the Charlotte Observer asked experts and officials around the NBA for their input on the Hornets, who rank eighth in the East at 17-17. Charlotte has played 22 games on the road (9-13) and 12 games at home (8-4) this season.
• Hawks center Clint Capela discussed a variety of subjects with The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, including his post-Rockets career and playing with Atlanta. Capela has been one of the better centers in the East since joining the Hawks, averaging 11.3 points and 12.7 rebounds per game so far this season.