It’s not easy playing for the Orlando Magic.
Even with the power of rookie sensation Paolo Banchero, the team has a lot of problems – and a growing list of injuries too.
First Markelle Fultz hurt his big toe last month, then Jalen Suggs injured his knee, attempted to play, and hurt his ankle too.
Now the team is losing yet another player – and this loss could hurt.
Bad news for Cole Anthony and the Magic. 😔 pic.twitter.com/Vg5wESdejd
— theScore (@theScore) October 27, 2022
Cole Anthony has suffered an oblique muscle injury and will need further evaluation to determine a timetable for his return to Orlando.
Something seemed off with Anthony the other night as the team lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers and medical imaging after the match showed that Anthony was indeed injured and his 2-for-10 shooting night was due to his pain.
How do the Magic carry on without Anthony?
Aching Without Anthony
Anthony was putting up 15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists a game before he left with his new injury.
Those are impressive numbers and Anthony was seen as one of the few promising stars on the Orlando roster.
The biggest problem with Anthony’s injury is that it limits the number of guards the team now has.
R.J. Hampton, Terrence Ross, and Kevon Harris are now the only healthy guards for the team.
This suggests that Orlando will have to rely on its frontcourt much more, specifically Franz Wagner and Banchero.
That’s not bad news since those are perhaps the two best players on the team – but they cannot do it all on their own.
Few people thought the Magic were going to rebound into the playoffs this year – although some thought they could sneak into the play-in tournament.
That might still happen but Anthony’s absence will put a lot more pressure on the team’s other players.
NEXT: 3 Reasons To Watch The Magic This Season