Anthony Black and Jonathan Isaac went from day-to-day back to out on October 22, so Orlando faces the Timberwolves without either of them. The 0-1 Magic need a cleaner game with the ball before the trip to New York on October 25.
The hope for Black and Isaac turned into two more absences.
Black, with a right ankle sprain, and Isaac, listed for left knee injury management, were both downgraded to out on October 22. The Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede listed them as out for Friday, along with Noah Penda, who has a partially torn right hamstring, and Izaiyah Nelson, who is recovering from a left ankle injury. Black and Isaac are projected back October 25 at the Knicks. Penda and Nelson are projected for November 18.
Minnesota arrives with Edwards hot and DiVincenzo sidelined.
The Timberwolves are 1-0, and ESPN's preview led with Anthony Edwards' 45-point game. Donte DiVincenzo is listed out with a right Achilles injury. Last season Minnesota went 49-33 with a 3.1 net rating, while Orlando went 45-37 at 0.6. Chris Finch's team is the first real test of whether the Magic's size can hold up against a guard who gets downhill.
Orlando lost the opener on possessions, not on Banchero.
Banchero was efficient, going 10-12 from the field with 10 assists, but he also had six turnovers. Beede counted 24 Atlanta points off 20 Orlando turnovers, and the Hawks scored 44 in the second quarter. Sean Sweeney said the defense can do "a much better job." That repair has to start with keeping the ball.
Suggs needs his shot back to earn the minutes.
Jalen Suggs went 2-8 against Atlanta and finished -13 in 32 minutes, the worst mark of the night. His true shooting is 37.2% over his last five games. With Black out again, the open question is whether Sweeney keeps giving Suggs those minutes or moves some of them to Jase Richardson, who was +5 in 14 minutes.
Is Anthony Black playing against the Timberwolves?
No. Black is listed out with a right ankle sprain and is projected back October 25 against the Knicks.
When will Noah Penda return for the Magic?
Penda has a partially torn right hamstring and is projected back November 18.
