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Orlando Magic center Mohamed Bamba to miss significant time with leg injury

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 2: Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic inbounds the ball during a game against the LA Clippers on November 2, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 2: Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic inbounds the ball during a game against the LA Clippers on November 2, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic center Mohamed Bamba will miss “significant time” with a leg injury that could derail some of his growth at this point in the season.

The Orlando Magic announced rookie center Mohamed Bamba will miss “significant time” with a stress fracture in his left leg. The team said the timetable for his return will depend on how he responds to treatment.

President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said in a press release the team caught the injury early and believe he will not need surgery to repair the injury.

Mohamed Bamba has had a bit of a mixed rookie year as he has adjusted to the physicality of the NBA. Still, he has made a pretty clear impact and shown what he might be able to do as he develops.

Bamba is averaging 6.2 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game and 1.4 blocks per game in 16.3 minutes per game. He has shown an ability to hit 3-pointers, although that is a part of his game that is still under development (30.0 percent overall this year).

To be sure, some of those struggles were to be expected with Bamba.

He was drafted as something of a project, banking that he can add strength and continue to develop his skills alongside his NBA Draft Combine-record 7-foot-10 wingspan. That wingspan has come in handy as he is among the league leaders in blocks. Even more impressive considering he is coming off the bench.

But Bamba still has a lot of work to do. By many metrics, Bamba’s impact has been negative. Especially on defense where it was expected his length would make an immediate change for a Magic team desperate for rim protection.

The Magic have a 108.3 defensive rating with Mohamed Bamba on the floor, the second-worst mark on the team trailing only Evan Fournier. Making matters worse, the team has a 93.1 offensive rating with Bamba on the floor, the worst of any rotation player. A lot of that has to do with the poor bench units he has played with.

According to Basketball-Reference, he has an overall positive defensive impact with a +2.9 defensive box plus-minus. A lot of that is probably boosted by his strong block rate.

There is clearly plenty of potential with Bamba. He has slowly gained confidence and has looked better and better as he got more comfortable. This injury is certainly a setback.

He originally reported foot soreness in early January and missed four games. When he returned, he looked refreshed and had a strong run of play. Especially on defense.

The Magic will hope that Bamba can be ready to step back onto the court before the end of the season and be fully healthy for an important offseason of skill development and strength and conditioning.

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Khem Birch will likely step in as the backup center while Mohamed Bamba is out.