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Terrence Ross listed as probable Sunday, could make return from November injury

By Philip Rossman-Reich

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 27: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 27, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 27: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 27, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Terrence Ross was surprisingly listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Toronto Raptors. That could mean he will return from his November injury.

Before every game right now, the Orlando Magic are usually listing updates on who is not playing. among the main roster players, there is some impetus to give them breaks and time off. The Lottery beckons and there seems to be more motivated to lose.

That might partially explain the Orlando Magic’s decision to sit Nikola Vucevic for a second straight game and Aaron Gordon on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets. The results were predictably bad. the Magic had no one on the floor who started for them at the beginning of the season.

If there is a little bit of good news it came as a surprising mark on the injury report.

The Orlando Magic upgraded Terrence Ross to “Probable” for Sunday’s game against the Toronto Raptors.

Ross sprained his MCL and suffered a fracture in his tibial plateau during the Orlando Magic’s win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 29. It came just two games after he made the sacrifice of his starting spot, approaching coach Frank Vogel to ask he come off the bench, hoping to give the team a spark.

It was a rough statistical season for Ross to that point, made only rougher with the injury. He is averaging 9.0 points per game on a 48.6 percent effective field goal percentage. It would be his first sub-50 percent effective field goal percentage since his rookie year.

Ross never got the chance to establish himself with his new role.

The journey back was a long one for Ross. He repeatedly told the media he was close to returning starting in January, only for his coach to shoot that down and call his return premature. It seemed Ross was set to return to action in February around the All-Star Break. But a bone bruise suffered while playing three on three with teammates and staff slowed his return.

It represented a major setback. Another one in a lost season.

It did not look like Ross would return this season. Time simply ran out.

But it appears he will get a second chance. And a much-needed bit of good injury news

Of late, the Magic have seemingly been fine to let their season expire. Seemingly minor injuries were enough to sit guys, perhaps for the whole season.

That was most evident Friday night.

Officially Aaron Gordon was out with a sore right calf and Nikola Vucevic was out with low back tightness. Lest anyone think there is some chicanery going on.

Jonathan Isaac is out with a sprained ankle. Vogel told John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com he is likely done for the year, a disappointing end to a promising rookie season.

Frank Vogel said Evan Fournier is not likely to come back from his sprained MCL. Evan Fournier has already told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel this marks the early part of his vacation and he will get right back to work when he is fully healthy.

Vogel has also said Jonathon Simmons is likely done for the year with a right wrist contusion.

Getting Ross back — in addition to Gordon and Vucevic — brings the Magic closer to being whole. For whatever that is worth to end the season.

No one should expect Ross to step in and immediately be a huge factor. He will have to get his timing and rhythm back. And that will not come in a single game.

Really, Ross’ late return is about him building confidence to continue his rehab this offseason. Ross in his interviews — like the one below with Dante Marchitelli and George Galante on Magic Overtime — seemed like a homesick puppy. He just wants to be out on the floor playing.

But after missing more than four months on the floor, he probably just wants to see if he can still make it on a NBA floor before the offseason. It would be critical just to jumpstart his summer to have confidence in his knee again and to know he can play.

Things will probably go slowly. And it is not even 100 percent certain Ross will play in Sunday’s game. There are still three games remaining to throw him out there and see how healthy he really is.

Next: Orlando Magic feel ready to concede season

It is a good sign for the Magic to get someone back healthy. Even if it is far too late to make any kind of impact for this season. It may just help them be ready for next year.