Magic rookie Jalen Suggs explains how conditioning level is better
ORLANDO, Fla. — Jalen Suggs just returned after a lengthy absence, but the Orlando Magic rookie feels as though his conditioning level is better than ever before.
Suggs suffered a fractured right thumb on Nov. 29 against the Philadelphia 76ers that cost him 20 games. He recently made good progress from the injury and returned on Friday, scoring 12 points and seven assists in a win over the Charlotte Hornets.
The fifth pick produced 16 points, three rebounds and two assists on Saturday in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks and had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists on Monday versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
The team most missed his competitive spirit, acting head coach Jesse Mermuys said.
We love how Jalen competes. He competes at a high level and puts his nose in there. He is tough and we love that about him. I think he is just going to keep getting better out there and more comfortable. … You see how tough he is, putting it down and attacking the rim.
Suggs, and the team, huddled together after he got injured and laid out a plan of attack during his rehabilitation process. The team collectively thought staying in shape during his time away was the most important thing to work on and Suggs got after it.
He has played at least 20 minutes in each game back and hasn’t looked fatigued or worn down after missing so much time. Remarkably, Suggs believes he is in better shape than he was coming into the season and before he was injured.
I think conditioning-wise, I’m way better than I was coming into the season and even to right before I got hurt in November. The day I got hurt, I think two days later, I was in the hotel. I met with Jeff (Weltman) and we talked about some things that we were going to work on and what I believe needs to be worked on coming back.
The biggest thing that everybody came up with was conditioning. To be able to defend, you gotta be out there for more minutes, giving my all without tiring out so quick and coming back, I can really feel how that’s impacting in a positive way. It has been good to just run around, good to be around the team and to have an impact out there on the court.
The addition of Suggs gave the Magic more of their competitive edge back given his spirit and energy off the bench. He also has played with a toughness that is visible from the second he steps onto the court. Needless to say, the team is glad to have their top-five pick back.
Mo Bomba said his return unlocks another level of how they can play.
It sucks to have guys out but we’re slowly getting healthy but having Jalen out there, he is tough, he can play off the ball, on the ball. He kinda does the little things that, if I’m a coach, I’d love to have him on my team. He doesn’t complain and just gets the job done. He can also defend at a high level.
Jalen Suggs with a burst 💨
📺: https://t.co/3b5LcPuNP3 pic.twitter.com/sQQWoFalYt
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 18, 2022
Suggs used the time off from playing to improve his overall game. He was still able to get work on the court as he believes he has made strides in several areas. The work put in during his rehab hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates and coaches.
He entered the NBA draft highly touted as a tremendous competitor with a great work ethic. The team greatly missed those attributes during his time away from the court, but they now have their top-five pick back as he is once again impacting games.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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