Jalen Suggs made it clear throughout Thursday’s exit interviews that his enjoying model is not going to change following an injury-shortened season. The Orlando Magic guard, recognized for his physicality and defensive tenacity, vowed to take care of his aggressive strategy as he eyes a full return for the 2025-26 marketing campaign.
“I ain’t altering a rattling factor. I ain’t gonna misinform you,” Suggs stated. “I ain’t altering nothing, that’s what all this work is for.”
Suggs, 23, appeared in simply 35 video games this previous season after present process arthroscopic surgical procedure on his left knee to take away a cartilage fragment. The process additionally included a mosaicplasty to restore the trochlear joint floor. Regardless of his restricted availability, Suggs averaged 16.2 factors, 4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals per recreation, whereas taking pictures 41% from the sphere and 31.4% from past the arc.
The damage got here one season after Suggs earned NBA All-Defensive Second Crew honors, establishing himself as a key piece of the Magic’s backcourt. Whereas sidelined, he remained near the crew and took on a extra vocal position throughout Orlando’s playoff sequence towards the defending champion Boston Celtics.
“That was so arduous, man,” Suggs stated of watching the sequence from the bench. “It doesn’t matter what you do, you may’t go on the market and assist your brothers out throughout dangerous stretches, throughout runs.”
Jalen Suggs embraced a management position with the Magic whereas sidelined in the course of the playoffs
Suggs embraced the chance to develop as a pacesetter from the sideline. He hung out with the teaching workers all through the sequence and credited the expertise with serving to him develop a brand new perspective on the sport.
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“I attempted to be as a lot of a voice as I may and I assumed that this gave me a extremely dope alternative to not solely discover ways to use it, however for me to grasp the true energy that my voice carries,” Suggs stated. “I’m extra of a lead by motion sort of individual and I feel that’s a part of my evolution.”
The Magic fell to Boston in 5 video games, however Suggs remained engaged, viewing the sequence by way of what he described as a “pure empty thoughts house,” freed from the bodily and emotional toll of being within the recreation.
“I received to take a seat with the coaches the entire sequence,” he added. “So I really feel like I checked out it from a totally totally different lens… The blessing at all times exhibits itself and we are able to proceed to be taught off of the issues that I took away from that point interval.”
As for his rehab course of, Suggs expressed optimism and famous he’s progressing properly.
“It’s good. I’m on the level now the place I really feel so good and comfy and assured… I wanna like velocity up,” Suggs stated. “However I’m type of staying disciplined by way of that, persevering with to maneuver on the velocity that my knee is speaking to me.”
With Suggs on observe for a return subsequent season, the Magic will look to construct on their playoff look and take one other step ahead within the Japanese Convention.