The Orlando Magic were struggling to find their footing in the final game of their seven-game homestand Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. By the middle of the second quarter, the Magic were down 27 points and struggling to keep up. They were chasing the game and struggling to keep up.
As the frustration from more missed shots and difficulty making defensive rotations — not to mention Admiral Schofield logging minutes at center defending Rudy Gobert for a short spell — it was hard not to look at the bench at who was in street clothes.
It was hard not to wonder if the group sitting on the bench could beat the players on the court if everyone were healthy.
That is not meant as an insult to anybody. It is meant to show just how much the Magic were missing. And as Orlando got further into the hole in Wednesday’s game — before Jalen Suggs went down with an ankle injury before jumping back in to lead the team to cut it down to as little as eight points — it was hard not to think about what was missing rather than what was there.
Magic fans’ biggest frustration this season has been waiting on those players to return. While the Magic have been more forthright with updates, that does not make the clock tick faster to their eventual returns.
Frustration is growing.
But the time for frustration is coming to an end. It is clear that most of the Magic’s injured players are inching closer to a return every day. With one major player set to return Friday.
The Orlando Magic are starting to see the end of their injury period as Gary Harris appears set to make his return Friday and give the team some needed stability.
The Orlando Magic have listed Gary Harris as PROBABLE for Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls as he completes recovery from offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Wendell Carter too is listed as PROBABLE after he missed Wednesday’s game with a plantar fascia sprain.
All the news is not good. Paolo Banchero is still OUT with a left ankle sprain and could remain out a little while longer. Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel reports he, along with the remaining injured players for the Magic, will not travel on this three-game road trip.
The frustration over injuries will not subside immediately. But clearly, there is some light peaking over the horizon. And Harris’ return will be a welcomed one.
Harris’ career has been beset by injuries. But he had his healthiest season in several years last year, appearing in 61 games and scoring 11.1 points per game while shooting 38.4 percent from beyond the arc.
That 3-point shooting will be the biggest boost Harris will provide.
Last season, Harris shot 46.5 percent on corner threes, taking more than 2.0 corner threes per game last season. He is someone who will make defenses pay and will be a player whom teammates can trust to spin the extra pass toward. Harris shot 41.3 percent on 4.0 catch-and-shoot 3-point attempts per game, placing him in the 82nd percentile.
That is just a great shooter to add to the mix. He is someone defenses have to respect from deep and someone who can help give space so the Magic can continue attacking the paint.
The fact he is a smart defender who should fit in well with the Magic’s heavy switching scheme and fill in roles both on and off the ball is also an added bonus. According to data from Basketball Index, Harris rated in the 85th percentile in ball screen navigation and 97th percentile in off-ball chaser.
He may have to do less of that in a switching scheme. But it would also suggest he will help a lot more as the low man on defense as the Magic switch and cover the perimeter.
Being a veteran too will not hurt a young team like the Magic gain some stability.
More than anything else that is what Harris is going to provide: Some much-needed stability.
The Magic are undoubtedly short at guard — and Harris’ return does not resolve the team’s point guard issues. But bringing Harris back will enable to the team to play more traditional lineups when the team’s big lineup struggles.
There have been several times this year when Orlando’s big lineup has struggled with speed on the perimeter. Harris is adept at defending smaller players and will provide some help when the Magic need to go to more a traditional alignment.
That versatility and the trust they can put in Harris on the floor is critical for this team. So critical that many believed Harris would be the starting shooting guard before his injury knocked him out of training camp and the start of the season.
More than that though, the team needs healthy bodies. That was as evident as ever Wednesday night. Even though the Magic needed to execute better and be more effective from the start of the game, they needed reliable bodies and players on the floor. That was a key element missing for this team.
Getting players back will give that stability. Orlando needs that stability more than anything else.
It will be a welcomed sight to have Harris back on the floor in whatever capacity he can provide immediately.