Markelle Fultz is making a big impact on the Orlando Magic

When Markelle Fultz checked out of the Orlando Magic’s win over the Indiana Pacers two weeks ago, he received a monster hug from his coach Jamahl Mosley. It was already clear even in Fultz’s first game playing for his new coach that there was a lot of appreciation and admiration.

Fultz had worked his way back from a torn ACL. Even after 14 months of recovering from an injury that has become largely routine in the sports world, Fultz’s return was astounding.

He had 10 points and six assists in 16 minutes of a Magic win. His play seemed to lift everyone up. It lifted a fan base that has suffered through an encouraging but still frustrating season at the bottom of the standings. It was well worth the wait.

That extra delay in bringing Fultz back to the court — he reportedly started practicing with the team in full in December and had a two-month ramp up before he stepped onto the court with a minute restriction — seems to have enabled him to hit the ground running.

And, boy, is he running.

Markelle Fultz has hit the ground running for the Orlando Magic, making an immediate impact that can be seen in his numbers and elsewhere.

In six games since returning two weeks ago (he has sat out two games while being held out of back-to-backs), Fultz is averaging 10.0 points per game and 5.5 assists per game. He is shooting 53.3-percent from the floor (24 for 45 overall) and 2 for 5 from beyond the arc (two of those misses were full-court heaves at the end of a quarter).

Those numbers may feel modest, but he is doing this in just 17.3 minutes (104 total minutes). Fultz is still working under a minute restriction of about 18 minutes.

Per 36 minutes, Fultz is averaging 20.8 points and 11.4 assists. Those are star-level numbers by any measure if Fultz can maintain that level of play. That is probably asking a lot. But it does suggest the level that Fultz is playing at during his still-limited minutes.

There is even a bit of bravado and confidence in the way he is playing. He buried his first 3-pointer in Friday’s win over Minnesota. Then he hit a step-back 3-pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers, seemingly looking over his shoulder at the Sixers’ bench. A fitting statement considering his history with the team — and its fan base.

Fultz is not taking a ton of threes. He really does not have to. After Sunday’s game, Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers marveled at how Fultz plays within himself and does not try to be someone he is not.

It is this comfort in his own skin that has separated Fultz in the early going of his return. It is this that has helped him hit the ground running.

He has mostly worked to get to his so-called “kill spots.” Most of his shots are either layups right at the rim, where he is shooting 14 for 22 overall, or mid-range jumpers. Everything is under control for him right now. And yes, more than half of his shots attempts are coming within five feet.

The other spot he has worked to get to is either along the baseline or at the free-throw line, where he has put together quite a good mid-range profile.

He has made 8 of his 16 shots from 8-24 feet. Last year he made 10 of 37 such shots (27.0-percent). There is at least partly a feeling of a comeback wall coming or a return to his career medians.

That is probably why the Magic will remain cautiously optimistic with his play but will keep their restrictions on him. His long-term health remains the biggest priority.

Fans certainly hope the team will expand that out to 20 and then grow that even more before the season ends. Every time he enters the game, the energy in the Amway Center changes. There is a great level of anticipation for what he will do next.

He has inspired hope in the team’s future as he gets himself back into rhythm.

There have already been a few moments this season where Mosley took Fultz out of the game in the fourth quarter and almost had this reluctant look that he could not use him anymore — Mosley said before Friday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves he is not likely to work to “save” Fultz’s minutes for late in the game if he has it rolling, the goal is to get Fultz out there with different lineups and different playing groups.

The Magic are still going to be cautious with Fultz. They are more interested in letting him recover and preparing him for next season.

His individual counting numbers are impressive, for sure. But the pressure from fans at least to let Fultz loose comes from something beyond his individual numbers. He seemingly uplifts the team and they play at the pace and tempo the team has always talked about.

Since the All-Star Break (Fultz returned the second game after the break), the Magic play at a pace of 101.0 possessions per 48 minutes. With Fultz on the floor, the Magic are playing at a pace of 105.8 possessions per 48 minutes. That is the fastest the team plays with any rotation player on the floor.

Pace alone is not a sign of anything. It is certainly not a sign of control.

But the Magic have an offensive rating of 108.7 points per 100 possessions with Fultz on the floor. The team is posting an offensive rating of 106.2 points per 100 possessions since the All-Star Break.

These numbers would seemingly match the eye test that would suggest Fultz is pushing the pace and getting the Magic into their offense quickly and effectively. Orlando is playing better offense. And the team’s defense has been strong with him too — 103.5 points allowed per 100 possessions with Fultz on the floor compared to an average of 106.4.

The Magic have changed games completely with Fultz on the floor. He has helped boost the team’s bench. The spark he has given the team is evident. It does not take numbers to see it.

But the numbers at this early stage are certainly matching whatever eye test Fultz needs to pass.

It has left everyone wanting more. Who could blame them? It seems even his teammates want more.

As Dante Marchitelli joked on Bally Sports Florida’s postgame interview with Markelle Fultz after Friday’s game, he consistently tells Jamahl Mosley that Fultz has played only four minutes.

That time will almost certainly come. Everyone is just eager to see it.

Fultz has been stellar since coming back. It is clear the kind of impact he can make. And everyone is ready to pencil him as the starter heading into camp next year.

There is a lot of time to go to get there. Until then, everyone is just enjoying the ride. And it has been a fun ride to start.