While the Orlando Magic (13-47, 15th in Eastern Conference) have had an atrocious 2021-2022 NBA Season, they did receive a piece of good news on Saturday. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Orlando Magic Point Guard Markelle Fultz will make his 2022 NBA Debut against the Indiana Pacers on Monday, February 28th.
Monday’s game will come thirteen months after Fultz suffered a season-ending Torn ACL Injury against the Philadelphia 76ers. Before suffering his aforementioned injury, Fultz was looking like an early contender for the 2021 Most Improved Player Award, averaging 12.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.4 APG, and 1.0 SPG while shooting 39.4% from the field and 25.0% from three-point range. The Magic were also off to a fast start with Fultz in the lead Point Guard role, posting a 6-2 record. Orlando would finish the season with a 15-49 record without Fultz. Fultz originally announced his decision to return to the court on the Orlando Magic Pod Squad:
“I’m just blessed to be able to one be where I am today after going through an injury like this and being able to fight and be back on the court with my brothers and friends,” Fultz said to open the podcast. “I’m thankful for the process and the journey I have been through. I’m very excited to get out there with my teammates and go out there and compete and just get back into the groove of things.”
What to Expect from Fultz for the Rest of the 2021-2022 NBA Season
Sitting at 13-47 and 15th in the Eastern Conference, the Magic should be in no hurry to rush Fultz back into the rotation, especially off a 13-month rehabilitation period. In spite of this, Orlando should gradually work Fultz back into his role, continuing to steadily increase his minutes as the 2021-2022 NBA Regular Season wraps up.
Orlando extended Fultz to a three-year, $50 million extension last offseason for a reason, so getting him up to speed over time would be ideal for the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Even though Orlando has added a slew of young and exciting guards to their roster, Fultz is one of the few who can lead the offense with ease, making him valuable as ever to Orlando. Yes, Orlando’s 2020 First Round Pick Cole Anthony has taken the jump to stardom in his second season, and R.J. Hampton and 2020 First Round Pick Jalen Suggs have overflowing potential, but Orlando’s backcourt belongs to Fultz, and he’s back to claim it.
(Featured image via Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)