The team announced Friday that Suggs would be out indefinitely, but said Sunday that he is expected to make a full recovery

As the Orlando Magic make a push toward the postseason, star guard Jalen Suggs will be on the sidelines for a while. The Magic announced Sunday that Suggs will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to remove a cartilage fragment.

The team had announced Friday that Suggs would be out indefinitely with the injury. Orlando did not provide a timeline to the guard’s return to the court, saying that it will depend on how the rehabilitation process goes, but that he is expected to make a full recovery.

Suggs has only played in 35 games this season due to a slew of injuries. The 23-year-old guard worked his way back to the court after suffering a back injury, but he injured his left thigh in his first game back on Jan. 25.

During the process of building back to a return, Suggs alerted the Magic staff to discomfort in knee. Further imaging revealed an injury at his trochlea, the groove where the kneecap sits at the end of the femur.

Suggs, in his fourth year in the league, had been averaging 16.2 points, four rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game this season.

It’s been a tough year for the Magic, who have dealt with injuries to the team’s core players all season. Stars Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero both missed time with oblique injuries, while bench player Moritz Wagner suffered a season-ending ACL tear in December. Banchero, Suggs and Franz Wagner — Orlando’s core — only played six games together this season as a result of their injuries.

The Magic are currently 29-32, currently sitting in the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Orlando, which has lost three of its last four games, returns to action on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors.

Jalen Suggs has emerged as a crucial player for the Orlando Magic, bringing relentless energy and elite defensive skills to the court. His ability to guard multiple positions, disrupt passing lanes, and apply pressure on opposing ball handlers makes him one of the team’s most valuable defenders. While his offensive game is still a work in progress, Suggs has shown flashes of brilliance with his aggressive drives to the basket and improved three-point shooting. His willingness to take on tough assignments and hustle for every possession embodies the gritty identity the Magic are trying to build.

Beyond his defensive prowess, Suggs plays a key role in setting the tone for the Magic’s young core. His leadership, both on and off the court, has helped Orlando develop a competitive mindset, even against top-tier opponents. When he’s on the floor, the team’s defensive intensity rises, creating more fast-break opportunities and allowing the Magic to dictate the pace of the game. His chemistry with other young talents like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner has been instrumental in shaping the team’s future direction.

However, injuries have been a major roadblock in Suggs’ career, limiting his ability to contribute consistently. His latest knee injury and subsequent surgery raise concerns about his long-term durability and the Magic’s ability to maintain defensive pressure in his absence. Without Suggs on the floor, Orlando loses a key perimeter defender and a player who can spark momentum-shifting plays with his hustle. The team will now have to rely on other guards to step up, but replacing his impact on both ends of the court will not be easy.

Despite these setbacks, Suggs’ importance to the Magic remains undeniable. If he can return fully healthy, he has the potential to be one of the best two-way guards in the NBA. His combination of defensive toughness, leadership, and evolving offensive skills makes him a foundational piece for Orlando’s rebuild. The Magic’s success moving forward will heavily depend on his ability to stay on the court and continue developing into the star they envisioned when they drafted him.