For Jalen Suggs, the first half of the Orlando Magic’s 2022-23 season followed a similar pattern to his short NBA career up to that point.
Suggs, the No. 5 pick in the 2021 draft, struggled with injuries to start the season just like he did as a rookie when he played in 48 games.
He appeared in 14 of the Magic’s first 38 games this past season, sitting multiple stretches because of right ankle ailments — the same ankle that sidelined him for 13 of the final 18 games of 2021-22 and required surgery to address a stress fracture.
But then Suggs’ fortunes changed.
He got healthy and mostly stayed that way during the second half of the season — which coincided with Suggs’ best stretch of play.
“It was big time,” he said. “Because before, I was feeling really confident, had a good rhythm and flow going. That’s the hardest part about the injuries. It’s not coming back, it’s not the toll it takes on your body. It’s just [about] how it messes with the rhythm and flow.
“At the time I went out, everybody else was coming back [from injuries]. [I was] just trying to find my way back into the team — find my role again. That was the biggest part of it. I’ve said it before: I’ve missed my fair share [of games] already. I don’t want to miss anymore.”
Suggs finished with averages of 9.9 points, 3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals and appeared in 39 of the final 44 games.
He averaged 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 24.3 minutes in his final 28 games.
Similar to how he improved his driving and finishing at the rim last season after coming back from injury, Suggs did the same with his 3-point shooting this year.
He knocked down 38.1% of his 3s (40 of 105) during that 28-game stretch — a significant improvement from the 26.8% he shot in his first 25 games and the 21.4% accuracy he had as a rookie.
Suggs, who finished the season at 32.7%, credited his improvement to the multiple assistant coaches he worked with, including Nate Tibbetts, Dale Osbourne and Dylan Murphy.
“I couldn’t thank them enough for early mornings, being in here after shootaround, after practice and just working on the craft,” Suggs said. “Always felt like we really made every workout and practice harder than the game would be. That really helped slow things down and helped me get more comfortable out there. I’ve always been able to shoot the ball. Wasn’t something that I could never do and had to suddenly flip around. It’s just about how to really lock it in, get consistent with it.”
His catch-and-shoot efficiency from beyond the arc was most notable.
Suggs shot 34.8% on catch-and-shoot 3s, including 46.6% over his final 28 games, after shooting 22.2% on those looks last year.
Forcing defenders to respect him more as a threat had a trickle-down effect.
“That opened up a lot of things on the court,” Suggs said. “Allowed me to be in different situations and spots. [If] you shoot the 3-ball in this league, you’re good. You’ll kind of always have a spot. So [I’m] just continuing to get that consistency. You can always get better at that.”
Already a high-level defender, Suggs aspires to be a starter after playing as a reserve for most of the season. A reliable 3-point shot strengthens his case.
“Consistency,” Suggs responded when asked what he needs to show to solidify a starting spot for 2023-24. “Being able to lock in defensively every night. That’s something I take a lot of pride in and [did] a great job of showing that. I’m versatile defensively and make it a tough night for [top opposing players], which ultimately helps our team. Offensively, again, getting the jump shot more consistent.
“You got guys like Paolo [Banchero], Markelle [Fultz], Franz [Wagner], [Cole Anthony], [Wendell Carter], guys who are going to draw a couple [defenders]. Whenever they kick it out, being able to knock that down and be consistent with that is going to be important.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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