Markelle Fultz took the next step in his recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome, joining the Orlando Magic in Orlando to continue his rehab with the team.
Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said recently the organization did not want to interrupt the progress Markelle Fultz was making on his own in Los Angeles. Weltman went out to Los Angeles to get a grasp of Markelle Fultz’s injury and the Magic had training staff present to observe.
Weltman said Fultz would not rejoin the team and begin “wrapping their arms around him” until they felt he was ready and it would not disrupt things too much. The team all but ruled him out for the season.
That time for Fultz and the Magic have come.
Fultz posted on Instagram late Monday night that he and his mother were in Orlando. John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com and Josh Robbins of The Athletic were among the media Fultz spoke with after practice Tuesday.
The conclusion? Fultz will continue his rehab in Orlando.
There is still no timetable for his return, but this is an important step in his recovery and eventual debut in a Magic uniform. Whenever that might happen.
Fultz has not played since Nov. 19 when he and the Philadelphia 76ers agreed he would seek a second opinion to figure out what issue he was having with his shoulder. Doctors eventually diagnosed him with thoracic outlet syndrome, which is an impingement of nerves or blood through between the neck and ribs.
Fultz said when he was introduced after the 76ers traded him to the Magic that he would often feel a tingling in his fingers and struggle to raise his arms. Rehab has worked to manage that pain and lessen the obstruction.
Progress has been slow and somewhat mysterious on his recovery. it was never clear, even after the Magic acquired Fultz at the trade deadline, how close he was to returning to the court. The Magic vowed they would be patient and let him return on his own schedule.
Fultz told the media after practice Tuesday he was excited to be back around the team and involved in the Playoff push. He seemed genuinely excited to be back near the team after spending some time with the group after the trade was announced.
Fultz said he is still not doing a ton of on-court activities. He is still doing mostly physical therapy and workouts with some on-court activity. Nobody is rushing to get him back on the court.
For now, his rehab efforts are shifting full-time to Orlando as he integrates with the team and his teammates. He will attend practices and games with the team. It is not likely he will travel with the team quite yet. But he will integrate with the team further.
It is certainly a good sign to see Fultz back with the Magic in any capacity. The fact he felt comfortable bringing his rehab process from Los Angeles to Orlando is a positive sign for him. It means he is comfortable changing things up and rejoining his teammates and beginning to learn the organization more deeply.
That is a big step.
Surely too, it means Fultz is getting that competitive itch and wants to be around the team supporting his teammates in the Playoff race. He said he felt confident the Magic would make their run to the postseason.
Undoubtedly, Fultz figures to play a big part in the Magic’s future. While he has had his struggles throughout his short career — playing in only 33 games and shooting only a 42.1 percent effective field goal percentage. He still did plenty of good on the floor, displaying the athleticism and driving ability that helped make him the number one overall pick in 2017. He even increased his scoring average to 8.2 points per game this season even with his shooting troubles.
The Magic are certainly optimistic Fultz can regain some of his form and help the team moving forward. It was a no-brainer risk to give Fultz a fresh start.
It is still very unlikely with so little time remaining in the season and the Playoffs well within sight that Fultz will play this year. But it is encouraging that he is in town rehabbing and trying to get himself ready to play under the Magic’s care.
Certainly it will be nice to have him around the team and integrating with the group.