Jonathon Simmons had wrist surgery after season ended
Orlando Magic guard Jonathon Simmons is sporting a cast this early offseason after he had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist in April.
Jonathon Simmons usually stays fairly quiet on social media. He is not one to stick around Orlando and returns home to Houston for the summers to train and prep for the upcoming season. All that in between vacations and time with his family.
Everyone deserves to have their offseason.
A few photos of Simmons did pop up on his social media channels and it was hard not to notice the big cast around his right hand.
Here is a photo from May 31 from his Instagram:
The Orlando Magic confirmed to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel that Simmons indeed had surgery on his right wrist. They say he tore a ligament in his right wrist. His return to on-court activities will be dependent on his response to treatment once the cast is removed.
Simmons missed the last 12 games of the season with what the Magic described as a “right wrist contusion.” At the time, it felt like an injury Simmons might have played through if the Magic were in the Playoffs. Clearly, the injury was something a bit more serious.
The Magic have every right to be a bit protective with this injury. But it will also be important for Simmons to get back on the court.
He signed with Orlando hoping for a bigger role after several years with the San Antonio Spurs. His three-year deal worth roughly $18 million was a sign he had made it in the NBA after going from G-League tryout to fringe rotation player. And the Magic gave him every opportunity to shine.
The 2018 season was by far Simmons’ best of this career. Largely because he got the most consistent playing time — and yes, the biggest role — of his career at the time.
Simmons started in 50 of the 69 games he played, averaged a career-best 13.9 points per game. He shot 46.5 percent from the floor with a 51.1 percent effective field goal percentage. He proved to be one of the Magic’s best creators and drivers. His shot was sporadic, but at times effective.
Simmons poured in one of the most memorable games of the season, scoring 32 points against the Milwaukee Bucks in a surprise victory after a long road trip. He also scored the most points in a single quarter since Tracy McGrady was playing with a 21-point third quarter in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers before the trade deadline.
He was not always a consistent or efficient scorer. But those bursts were valuable to a Magic team that lacked a bit of offensive spark. To be sure, Orlando would rely on him again as the biggest free agent Jeff Weltman had signed to the team to date.
There is still a lot of time before training camp. And Simmons has been in the league long enough to know how to get himself ready. Although, a better offseason training regimen is certainly something he could use.
Simmons admitted growing tired as his minutes piled up and he played that more consistent role through the 82-game season.
The 2,029 minutes Simmons played last year account for 47.9 percent of the total regular season minutes Simmons has played in his career. He said he would use his offseason improve his conditioning. That obviously is a bit on the shelf as he recovers from surgery.
Orlando will have to wait and see when Simmons can get back on the court and just how quickly he can recover.