Orlando Magic Daily
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5 questions the Orlando Magic face in the fourth quarter of the 2022 season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Franz Wagner is hoping to finish his rookie season strong for the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Franz Wagner is hoping to finish his rookie season strong for the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic
Markelle Fultz made his triumphant return as the Orlando Magic defeated the Indiana Pacers. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic: 5 questions for the fourth quarter

How integrated can the Orlando Magic get Markelle Fultz?

Orlando Magic fans waited all year for Feb. 28, 2022.

After nearly 14 months of recovering from a torn ACL, Markelle Fultz returned to the court against the Indiana Pacers. That will give him the entire fourth quarter of the season to get back into the swing of things and pick up his pace.

If the early returns are meaningful for anything, Fultz really has not missed a beat.

In his first three games, he has scored 27 total points and dished out 11 total assists in 50 minutes. He has made 12 of his 21 shots so far.

That is better than anyone could have hoped for, especially just stepping onto the floor in limited minutes. Fultz has made a good impact early on with his ability to control the pace and find open players. Fultz has 11.3 potential assists per game in his three outings so far (trailing only Cole Anthony‘s 11.5 potential assists per game in nearly half the minutes).

Fultz still has to get his legs under him, that is clear. He is still feeling his way through the lineup. And obviously, his minutes are still getting limited. He probably will not play back-to-backs this year.

But Fultz’s strong start has plenty of Magic fans wondering if he could end up starting sooner than later, displacing starter Cole Anthony or Jalen Suggs. It makes it clear at the very least that there is some serious competition at the point guard position for the Magic’s future — one that would only get more complicated if the team added Jaden Ivey in the draft (and the team should be thinking best player available in the draft).

The Magic should not be freaking out about this decision. They are going to continue to let Fultz play his way back into shape and back to comfort with the team.

Orlando would be smart to get him more consistent looks with the starting group — Markelle Fultz has largely played with reserve units so far with zero minutes alongside Jalen Suggs and nine minutes alongside Cole Anthony.

That is coming and is an important part of his recovery.

Any question about Markelle Fultz will inevitably lead to Jonathan Isaac and his potential return. At this point, it is hard to see Isaac making his return or making any significant impact this season besides a brief cameo.