Jalen Suggs Injury History

Jalen Suggs, an American point guard for the Orlando Magic, is renowned for his elite perimeter defense. Born on June 3, 2001, Suggs gained early recognition as a five-star recruit at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He then attended Gonzaga University, where he quickly became a standout player. In the 2021 WCC Tournament, he earned the title of Most Outstanding Player. Suggs made NCAA history in the 2021 Final Four with a legendary 40-foot, game-winning buzzer-beater to defeat UCLA 93–90 in overtime, propelling Gonzaga to the championship game.

In the 2021 NBA Draft, Suggs was selected fifth overall by the Orlando Magic. Over time, he has become a valuable backup point guard for the team, known for his quick hands and strong defensive instincts—evident in his average of 1.4 steals per game in the 2023-24 season, which earned him a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Recognizing his talent, the Magic secured Suggs with a five-year, $150.5 million contract extension on October 21, 2024, though he will earn $4,510,905 in the final year of his rookie deal during the 2024-25 season. In the 2023-24 season, Suggs averaged 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.

Jalen Suggs’s Injury History

Orlando Magic’s defensive juggernaut of a point guard, Jalen Suggs has faced multiple injury setbacks throughout his first two seasons in the NBA, particularly with his ‘Achilles Heel’ right ankle. Despite these challenges, Suggs showed resilience and made significant strides in his third and fourth seasons, avoiding major injuries. Below is a detailed look at his injury history —

Major Injuries Jalen Suggs Sustained in the NBA

Thumb Injury (2021 December - 2022 January)

In his rookie season, Jalen Suggs suffered a significant thumb injury in late November 2021 during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Suggs appeared to injure his thumb after a collision with Joel Embiid while driving to the basket. Initially, the Magic reported the injury as a sprain, but after further evaluation, Suggs was diagnosed with a fractured right thumb. Fortunately, surgery was not required. However, the injury forced Suggs to miss 20 consecutive games, from December 1, 2021, to January 12, 2022.

Right Ankle Sprain (2022 March)

In March 2022, Suggs battled through a sprained right ankle. The injury occurred on March 4, 2022, against the Toronto Raptors, causing him to miss two games. After recovering, Suggs returned to play in three games but re-aggravated the injury on March 13, 2022, during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers. This second ankle injury sidelined him for another 10 games, further disrupting his momentum during his rookie season.

Right Ankle Sprain Recovery (2022 October)

During the offseason before the 2022-2023 season, Suggs underwent surgery to repair a slight stress fracture in his right ankle. This surgery was crucial for addressing ongoing issues with the ankle, and it caused him to miss five games at the beginning of the 2022-2023 season.

Right Ankle Soreness (2022 November-December)

Jalen Suggs’ right ankle continued to be problematic in the 2022-2023 season. He first experienced soreness on November 25, 2022, after a game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The ankle injury forced him to miss 19 consecutive games from November 27, 2022, to January 4, 2023, as he recovered from the soreness and further complications.