Jalen Suggs suffered a serious back injury on Friday.
During the second quarter of the game against the Toronto Raptors, the Orlando Magic guard appeared to injure his back while lunging for the ball on defense. He stayed on the floor for over a minute before being helped into a wheelchair.
Suggs, clearly in pain, was escorted off the court to applause from the Scotiabank Arena crowd.
Jalen Suggs was forced to exit Friday's game in a wheelchair after sustaining an apparent back injury. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/bEsFET9x8J
— Magic on FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Magic) January 4, 2025
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said after the game that Suggs was dealing with back spasms and the team would assess him on Saturday.
In his fourth NBA season, Suggs was having a career year, averaging 16.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 29.5 minutes per game. The former fifth overall pick has earned a reputation as a top defender, making the second-team NBA All-Defense last season. While he has missed time in the past due to thumb and ankle injuries, he has no known history of back problems.
Following their 106-97 win over the Raptors, the Magic are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 21-15 record.