Anthony Black was cleared on the Magic's injury report Sunday, moving off Day-To-Day. He is no longer listed for the 7:00 PM ET game at the Knicks.
What happened
The Magic's injury report moved Anthony Black from Day-To-Day to Cleared on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 5:38 PM ET. The update carried no detail and no comment. Black, a 22-year-old guard, had been listed with a right ankle issue (ankle, right leg). His status has changed often. He was Day-To-Day on Sept. 30 and Oct. 11, then went Out on Oct. 20. He was Day-To-Day on Oct. 21, Out on Oct. 22 and Day-To-Day again on Oct. 23. Sunday's update ends that run of changes. No return date was needed or announced.
What it means for the Magic
Orlando plays at the Knicks on Sunday at 7:00 PM ET. The Magic are 0-2, the 11th seed and on a two-game losing streak. They are 0-0 with Black this season and 0-2 without him, so there is no sample of how they play with him on the floor. Without him, the minutes went mostly to Paolo Banchero (33.8), Jalen Suggs (33.1), Franz Wagner (31.2), Desmond Bane (30.0), Wendell Carter Jr. (29.8) and Tristan da Silva (28.7). Jase Richardson (14.3) and Jevon Carter (13.5) filled the guard bench. Banchero is listed Out with a right ankle issue, along with Noah Penda, Jonathan Isaac and Izaiyah Nelson. That leaves Orlando thin, and Black's availability adds a rotation option.
What to watch
Watch for Black's name on the Knicks game's final availability list and for his role once the game starts. Given his recent status changes, how he comes through the night matters for the next report. No expected return is attached to him because he is cleared. Orlando is still looking for its first win, and Banchero's ankle status is the other open question. The next injury report will show whether Black stays clear.
Is Anthony Black playing at the Knicks?
He was cleared on the injury report at 5:38 PM ET Sunday and is not listed with an injury for the 7:00 PM ET game. Orlando has not announced his minutes or role.
When will Anthony Black be back?
He has been cleared, so there is no return date to announce. Before Sunday he was Day-To-Day with a right ankle issue, and an expected return was not announced.