Jalen

Suggs

Despite opening the game making six of its first 11 3-pointers, the Magic received a harsh reminder of their most significant weakness in Game 7. Orlando would finish 10-of-31 from beyond the arc, with Suggs making two of his 10 attempts. The third-year guard reached double figures in six of the series’ seven games, but he shot below 40% from the field and 29% from three. While injury-related questions and limited production when healthy during his first two seasons negatively impacted Suggs’ ADP (141.9), he provided top 100 value in 8- and 9-cat formats. Whether or not this season gives his value a boost ahead of drafts in the fall depends on what changes Orlando makes to its perimeter rotation via the draft and free agency. Also, Suggs will be eligible for an extension this offseason. However, unlike Franz Wagner, the decision does not appear as clear-cut for the Magic front office, even with his improved 2023-24 campaign.

After missing all five of his attempts in Game 5, Suggs was responsible for six of Orlando’s 11 made 3-pointers in Game 6. His performance was a welcome development for a team that finished the regular season as one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA. In the series’ first five games, Suggs shot 6-of-25 from deep. While those numbers can lead some to dismiss Game 6 as a fluke, Suggs’ confidence to continue taking those shots was vital for him and the Magic. On Sunday, they’ll look to do something neither team has done in this series: win on the road.

Suggs and Paolo Banchero struggled to take care of the ball in the first half and entered the break with a combined nine turnovers, with Suggs accounting for five of them. They cleaned things up in the second half, which helped them outscore the Cavs 61-29 over the final two quarters. Suggs had a big performance in Game 3, and while he wasn’t able to replicate that in Game 4, he was able to turn in a solid stat line, despite a rough first half. If they can take care of the ball in Game 5 on Tuesday, they may be able to steal one on the road.

After injuring his knee during the first half of Monday’s Game 2 loss, Suggs was at his best in Game 3. In addition to recording a full stat line, he provided the Magic with some much-needed perimeter shooting as Orlando picked up its first win of the series. Orlando will need a similar effort in Game 4 on Saturday as they look to even the series.

Like Paolo Banchero, Wagner had a rough night offensively. In addition to the poor shooting, he committed six of Orlando’s 16 turnovers (Banchero also had six). Also, Wagner appeared to injure his right shoulder during the final minute to make matters worse. Play never stopped, so he remained on the court through the final buzzer, which may land Wagner on the injury report ahead of Thursday’s Game 3. The other injury concern is Jalen Suggs, who strained his left knee during the first quarter. He returned to begin the third and finished with nine points, six rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 29 minutes.

At first glance, Suggs’ injury did not look good, as he could not put any weight on his left leg while being helped to the locker room. However, he was back on the court to begin the third quarter, with NBATV’s Lauren Jbara reporting that Suggs “looked good” while sprinting in the tunnel.

Suggs injured his knee during the first quarter of Monday’s game and could not put any weight on his left leg while being helped off the court. Should he not return, Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz will absorb most of the minutes that would usually go to Suggs. Fultz’s ceiling is limited due to Orlando’s desire to manage his playing time because of prior injuries.

Banchero was one of two Magic starters to finish Wednesday’s loss in double figures, with Jalen Suggs (18 points, three rebounds, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 27 minutes) being the other. The second-year forward has scored 20 points or more in five straight games, his longest streak since early March. Turnovers remain an issue for Banchero, especially with Franz Wagner sidelined, but the overall value remains solid.

Suggs tied Paolo Banchero for the team lead in the scoring department, and he stuffed the stat sheet as he’s done all season. Most notably, Suggs was elite on the defensive end and shot efficiently from the field. Suggs is ranked just outside the top 90 in per-game fantasy value in 2023-24, and he’s enjoying the best season of his short NBA career.

Suggs’ productivity has increased recently, with the third-year guard providing 7th-round per-game value in 9-cat formats over the past two weeks. The 19 points he put up on Sunday were the most for Suggs since March 21, when he scored 22 in a win over the Pelicans. He may not offer consistent scoring, but Suggs’ defensive ability and percentages have boosted his fantasy value. Markelle Fultz also had a good night against the Bulls, finishing with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, one block, and one 3-pointer in 23 minutes.