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Nikola Vucevic aiming to return to Orlando Magic after All-Star Break

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 3: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic goes for the lay up during the game against the Toronto Raptors on February 3, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 3: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic goes for the lay up during the game against the Toronto Raptors on February 3, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic has been out for nearly two months with a fractured left hand. He is aiming for his return after the All-Star Break ends next week.

Nikola Vucevic has slowly been doing more and more in practice. He has been doing contact drills with his teammates for about a week now. Coach Frank Vogel has characterized Nikola Vucevic as still a long way away.

Being out for nearly two months, it is hard to return to playing shape and get the conditioning back that a player needs to compete at the highest level. And before Vucevic got hurt in late December, he was playing some of his best basketball.

The return from his fractured left hand has been a long one. Like with the Magic’s other injured players, they are hoping the All-Star Break gives him time to heal fully.

Vucevic has a specific date for his return in mind. He tells Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel he expects to return when the Orlando Magic get back from the break next Thursday against the New York Knicks.

"“I expect to be back against the Knicks, so I’ll stay in Orlando during the break and keep working on my game,” Vucevic told the Orlando Sentinel. “Then we’ll have two or three good practices before we play the Knicks, so I think it’ll be good for me to use that extra time to work more on my game.”"

Vucevic injured his hand against the Washington Wizards on Dec. 23. As he was posting up Marcin Gortat, Otto Porter reached in at the ball and hit his left hand. That appeared to cause the fracture. Vucevic needed surgery. He was slated to miss 6-8 weeks.

A return by next Thursday after the All-Star Break would put him at the end of that timeframe. It certainly seems realistic with two or three days of practice and an All-Star Break to finish his rehab and regain some of his conditioning, he could be back sooner than later.

Vucevic was playing absolutely stellar when he got hurt in December. He is averaging 17.4 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game, shooting 49.1 percent from the floor with his added 3-point attempts.

In the 10 games prior to his injury, Vucevic was averaging 22.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per game while shooting 51.1 percent. He added 4.2 assists per game for good measure. He had to do all this with the team facing mounting injuries and continuing to struggle on the floor. Vucevic stepped his game up and was playing the best of his entire career.

In any case, he had returned to his consistent double-double level he lost during the Magic’s odd foray with Serge Ibaka the year before.

How the Magic integrate Vucevic back into the rotation will be a bigger question, of course. Orlando has a roster loaded with centers with Bismack Biyombo, Marreese Speights and Khem Birch all currently getting playing time at the position. The Magic surely want to keep Khem Birch in the rotation. Splitting minutes at center is going to be difficult for Vogel.

The Magic should also get some other players back from injury fairly soon.

The Orlando Sentinel reports Gordon is likely out for Wednesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets. But he remains day to day with his strained hip flexor. It seems likely he would return after the All-Star Break too. The time off — including withdrawing from the Slam Dunk Contest — should help him recover fully.

And Jonathan Isaac does not seem too far behind those two.

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The All-Star Break is going to give the team a chance to rest and recover. For Vucevic, it seems like the last bit he needs to get fully healthy.