Raptors hold off Magic after Orlando announces Suggs to undergo knee surgery
The Toronto Raptors narrowly defeated the Orlando Magic 104-102, thanks to Immanuel Quickley's explosive second-half performance, where he scored 17 of his 24 points. This victory comes at a critical time for the Raptors, who were looking to break a losing streak and saw RJ Barrett add 22 points, along with Jakob Poeltl contributing 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Magic faced additional adversity as they announced that starting guard Jalen Suggs would undergo knee surgery, further complicating their season marred by injuries. Leading scorer Franz Wagner netted 25 points, while Paolo Banchero added 23, but the team struggled to close out the game. Quickley's late-game heroics included a 3-pointer and a three-point play that helped secure the Raptors' lead.
The Magic have now lost four of their last five games, raising concerns about their ability to compete moving forward. As they prepare for their next matchup on Tuesday, both teams will need to navigate their injury woes and find ways to improve their performance. This game highlights the ongoing challenges in the NBA, where player health can significantly impact team dynamics.