Orlando's Fifth Overall Pick Jalen Suggs Fractures Thumb, Magic Fall to Sixers 101-96

NBA Insider Shams Charania reports that Orlando Magic rookie Jalen Suggs has suffered a fractured thumb in Sunday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Magic rookie Jalen Suggs has suffered a fractured right thumb and will be out an extended period of time.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 30, 2021

The 5th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft left the game with 17 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds in 29 minutes. The Sixers went on to win the game 101-96, led by Seth Curry's 24 points on just 13 field goal attempts.  

It's doubtlessly disheartening news to Magic fans, as Orlando's roster has been devastated by injuries recently. Along with the latest injury to the sensational young shooting guard, the team is already missing impact players like Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, and Jonathan Isaac, as well as a bevy of quality bench players.

Suggs was injured while making contact with Sixers center Joel Embiid, though it seems unlikely that Embiid will face any subsequent discipline for the play. It's possible Embiid was making a conscious effort to play more aggressively on Sunday night after having his game-winning shot attempt blocked in double overtime of Saturday night's loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

The Orlando Magic's record fell to 4-18 following their seventh consecutive loss. With a league-worst winning percentage to accompany a depleted roster, the franchise seems destined to miss the playoffs for the second year in a row.

The good news for Magic fans is that they have a roster full of talented young players like Suggs, Fultz, Isaac, Anthony, Franz Wagner, Wendel Carter Jr., and Mo Bamba. Optimistically, one could imagine that the addition of a top draft pick this season could help this roster be a dark horse contender in the East next season, presuming the core can stay healthy.

If Orlando's management eventually decides to parley some of their depth in a win-now maneuver, all-star-caliber players like Ben Simmons, Christian Wood, and Kemba Walker seem like obvious candidates for acquisition. 

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports