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Terrence Ross out with knee injury after scary fall

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 22: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic goes for a lay up against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 22, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 22: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic goes for a lay up against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 22, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Terrence Ross will be out indefinitely with a knee and leg injury suffered in the second quarter of Wednesday’s Orlando Magic win.

Terrence Ross is out indefinitely after taking a scary fall against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of Wednesday’s game, the Orlando Magic announced.

Ross sprained his MCL and suffered a non-displaced fracture of his right tibial plateau. There is no timetable for his return. His ability to get back on the court will be determined based on his response to treatment. But undoubtedly Ross will not be in the lineup for some time.

Ross took to Instagram to thank fans for their thoughts in a simple message against a black screen:

"“Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers,” Ross said. “I’ll be good.”"

That is encouraging. Especially considering the scary fall he took.

Ross left Wednesday’s game with 4:38 left in the second quarter. He was trying to challenge one of Russell Westbrook‘s assaults on the rim when he made contact with Westbrook. Westbrook fell first and Ross came down on Westbrook and appear to roll his knee. He immediately went down and was in pain on the court.

But Ross was able to get up and walk gingerly off the court under his own power. It seemed fortunate the injury was not any worse.

It came at a time the Magic were trying to transition and find Ross a more successful role. Despite playing well on defense, Ross volunteered to come off the bench to help the team break a then-eight-game losing streak. He felt he could help the team more with his scoring off the bench.

It was not that Ross was playing particularly bad. His shooting was starting to come around and improve. In 22 games this year, he averaged 9.0 points per game and shot 40.7 percent from the floor and 32.9 percent from beyond the arc. In his last 10 games, he averaged 9.0 points per game but on 50.7 percent shooting and 34.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Even though Ross’ shooting was not coming around so far this year, his defense was invaluable to a team struggling on that end. He was active in passing lanes with 1.2 steals per game. Coach Frank Vogel has been happy with his defense.

Now, the Magic will have to fill that void. They have already moved Jonathon Simmons to the starting lineup. The Magic will need some help at small forward off the bench.

Jonathan Isaac‘s impending return may well help fill that void. But likely the Magic will need Arron Afflalo, Mario Hezonja and Wesley Iwundu to take their shot at those minutes and fill that role.

Arron Afflalo has struggled some this year, unable to find a rhythm offensively or make much of a statistical impact (at least) in his minutes. Mario Hezonja has run hot or cold with his minutes. And Wesley Iwundu is an extremely unproven rookie who has put up nice numbers for the Lakeland Magic.

Orlando will need some time to figure out how to reconfigure their rotation without this key player in the rotation. But the team will have to do so.

Next: Grades: Orlando Magic 121, Oklahoma City Thunder 108

Terrence Ross will not be back any time soon.