Magic Outplay Bulls as Jalen Suggs Breaks Career High

Orlando, FL— In this Bulls vs Magic game, it was even more apparent that playing in front of the home crowd is always a competitive advantage for this Orlando squad as they took down Chicago tonight 133-119. They’ve now won 13 consecutive games at home including the playoffs.

Chicago’s Long Injury Report, Orlando Missing Some Key Pieces

Orlando would come into this game relatively healthy, missing Paolo Banchero (torn right oblique) for the 15th straight game and Gary Harris (hamstring). For the good news, after missing the last 12 games with injury Orlando was able to get Wendell Carter Jr (left foot plantar fasciitis) back into the starting lineup.

“I should’ve got him a little lower [minutes],” Jamahl Mosley said of Wendell Carter Jr’s return. “Not worried about points, not worried about stats, not worried about anything other than getting him on the floor and getting out of this game healthy.”

The Chicago Bulls had a lengthy injury report as they were missing several players tonight from Adama Sanogo (knee), Patrick Williams (foot), and Jalen Smith (left ankle sprain) who were all listed as out. Lonzo Ball (wrist) who was questionable and hadn’t appeared in a game since Oct 28th, was able to go tonight for the Bulls.

Lonzo Ball Returns to the Court for Bulls vs Magic

Similar to Orlando’s Jonathan Isaac, Lonzo Ball has dealt with a tumultuous amount of injuries since entering the league back in 2017 and missed back-to-back seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24 due to injury. Both Jamahl Mosley and Bulls Head Coach Billy Donovan had nothing but resounding things to say about Lozno and his efforts to get back onto the court for this Magic vs Bulls matchup.

“The thing that’s been very very admirable and been a real blessing to watch, you hate to see someone go through this, but no one’s ever had to lift him up,” Billy Donovan said of Lonzo Ball. “Like he just takes whatever’s in front of him and goes for it.”

“I think guys that go through multiple injuries over periods of time, have a direct appreciation for the game,” Jamahl Mosley said of Lonzo Ball. Even before Lonzo got hurt, you could see his love for the game, you know I loved watching him play. He just had a charisma and style about him that involved everyone.”

Lonzo Ball would make his return back to the court tonight and in 15 minutes of action would record six points, three assists, four steals, and knock down two triples.

Orlando Dominates Chicago on Both Sides of the Ball

Orlando did an incredible job of coming out of the gates aggressively and playing extremely efficiently on both sides of the ball. In the first half of play the Magic would record 73 points while shooting 25 of 45 (55.6%) from the floor, 10 of 21 (47.6%) from deep, while also contributing six steals and four blocks.

The Magic would record a season-high 73 first-half points leading the Bulls 73-54 going into the halftime locker room.

Orlando would continue to pedal to the medal and run the Chicago Bulls out of the building. Franz Wagner put together another strong performance for his All-Star campaign with his 15th 20+ point scoring game of the season finishing the night with 21 points, six assists, two steals, and one block.

Jalen Suggs and Kentavious Caldwell-Popes’ Performances

You cannot talk about this game without mentioning the performances of both Jalen Suggs and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Magic fans were salivating at the idea of a backcourt like Jalen Suggs and KCP that would be one of the best 3-and-D backcourts in the game and they showed up in a big way this evening.

“I gotta talk about their defense first,” Jamahl Mosley said of Jalen Suggs and KCP. “Their defense is incredible. Like there’s no nights off for any guard in this league with those guys…They start our defense and their ability to knock shots down as they did tonight is huge.”

Jalen Suggs recorded a career-high 31 points, and seven assists and shot an efficient 10 of 18 (55.5%) from the field and 4 of 9 (44.4%) from behind the arch. This is the second time this season Suggs has recorded a new career high in points, the last coming in a loss to the Cavs where he scored 28.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had his best performance of the season so far recording his first 20+ point game and was a monster on both sides of the ball.

“Those games three years ago I was running around the offensive end without even a clue of what was going on just kinda figured things out as I went,” Jalen Suggs said of his career-high 31 points. “The good and the bad going through it…I give a lot of credit to the people around me.”

KCP would finish with a season-high 24 points, two assists, four steals, and shot 8 of 13 (61.5%) from the floor and 6 of 10 (60.0%) from deep.

“Telling me to keep shooting it,” KCP said of his season-high 24 points. “I’m still a little jumpy right now. So tonight just felt great just to be able to see the ball go through. And just being able to have fun with my teammates and my brothers out there just made it even more better.”

Continued Greatness and Hustle on the Court

Orlando would finish the night scoring 133 while shooting 46 of 90 (51.1%) from the floor, 15 of 39 (38.5%), and defensively putting together 10 steals and eight blocks. Overall this was a terrific Bulls vs Magic game at home for Orlando on both sides of the ball as they will now prepare for a five-game Eastern Conference road trip that will begin in Brooklyn on Friday, Nov. 29.