Jalen Suggs Addresses Magic's Early Season Challenges
The Orlando Magic have faced a rough start this season, opening with a 1-4 record including several tough losses. Despite that, Jalen Suggs and the team remain optimistic about their progress.
Though expectations were high for Orlando to be a top contender in the Eastern Conference, their performance has not reflected that so far. Desmond Bane, a notable new addition, has struggled to meet those expectations, averaging 14.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. The team is counting on him to improve, while Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have stepped up as leading scorers.
Suggs acknowledges the slow start but emphasizes the long season ahead, saying:
“It’s coming along pretty well. It’s so easy to look at these things and call them ‘big, glaring problems,’ and then you forget that there’s 70-plus games left…”
Improved Defense in Recent Games
The Magic have made adjustments in practice that are becoming visible in their gameplay. During their 1-4 start, the team allowed 122.6 points per game with opponents shooting 48.6% overall and 36.5% from three-point range. On offense, Orlando averaged 114.0 points per game, shooting 46.7% from the field and 31.2% from beyond the arc.
In their last two victories, Orlando's defense tightened significantly, limiting opponents to an average of 100.7 points per game.
Upcoming Challenge
The team heads into Tuesday’s final road game of the trip against the Atlanta Hawks aiming to build on this recent defensive improvement and continue their winning momentum.
Author’s Summary
Despite a slow start and underwhelming performances from key players, Jalen Suggs remains confident that the Orlando Magic can turn their season around with over 70 games still ahead.