Orlando Magic Facing Challenges with Injuries
The Orlando Magic are gearing up for a tough matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Monday, but they will do so without two key starters. Jalen Suggs, battling a hip injury, will miss his third consecutive game, while Franz Wagner will sit out for the fifth straight contest due to an ankle issue. Compounding their challenges, the Magic will also be without Tristan da Silva (shoulder) and Moritz Wagner (knee).
In contrast, the Warriors have a relatively clean injury report. They will be missing Al Horford due to sciatica and Seth Curry with a glute issue, but the rest of the roster is available to compete.
Warriors’ Rotation Uncertainty
Steve Kerr’s lineup decisions have added an element of unpredictability to the Warriors’ rotation. In their recent game against the Phoenix Suns, Kerr utilized 12 players, a move likely influenced by Draymond Green’s ejection in the second quarter, which unexpectedly opened up playing time for Gui Santos in the second half.
Will Richard emerged as a standout performer against the Suns, scoring 20 points in just 19 minutes after being a healthy scratch for three prior games. However, Santos also made an impact with 5 points and 2 steals, and Gary Payton II contributed 5 points and 8 rebounds after limited playing time in recent outings.
Though Richard is expected to have a prominent role on Monday, the rest of the rotation remains uncertain. Moses Moody, who has started the last three games, has struggled with his shooting, hitting only three of his last 14 attempts. De’Anthony Melton also had a rough outing, going 0-for-5 against the Suns. Adding to the mix, Jonathan Kuminga missed the last game due to illness, but could see some action against the Magic. Buddy Hield, after experiencing his first DNP of the season, may face another healthy scratch, potentially allowing Santos a chance to play again.
Curry Poised for a Big Night
With the Magic’s defensive struggles, Stephen Curry may be set to capitalize on their depleted lineup. Over the past two weeks, the Magic have recorded the sixth-worst defensive rating in the NBA, a statistic that reflects the absence of Suggs and Wagner, both of whom are crucial defensive assets. Suggs stands out as a defensive powerhouse; with him on the floor, Orlando is 9.5 points better per 100 possessions, which ranks in the 94th percentile league-wide.
When the Magic and Warriors met earlier this season, Curry dominated the scoreboard, dropping 34 points even with Suggs in the lineup. Historically, he has averaged 27.9 points per game against Orlando, trailing only in scoring averages against the Washington Wizards.
With the current circumstances, all signs suggest that Curry could be primed for a stellar performance against a vulnerable Magic defense on Monday night.
