Markelle Fultz has struggled with injuries throughout his early career, but it looks like he has finally made the turn at the Orlando Magic. Since Fultz was acquired by the 2019 deadline, he has been installed as the full-time starting guard of Orlando, and this season he is achieving a career high of 14.3 points per game. If his shooting numbers improved, he might even have been a candidate for the most improved player.
But all of that is currently in jeopardy after Fultz suffered a torn left ACL in Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He will now miss the rest of the 2020-21 season, announced the team. Fultz drove to the basket as he planted his left leg and crumpled it on the floor. He could not put pressure on the leg when he left the game.
Fultz has dealt minor knee injuries in the past, but the issue that ruined his first two NBA seasons was with his shoulder. Fultz was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, which apparently played a role in his fight as a jumper.
But Fultz worked on these issues in Orlando. He has never developed into a good or even an average shooter, but is so athletic and such a dynamic ball handler that he has managed to find other ways to maintain his productivity. It took a tremendous amount of work for Fultz to become just a playable NBA guard after all he went through in Philadelphia. He then became a credible appetizer. But now his return could be in serious trouble, and Orlando, which is also dealing with the absence of Jonathan Isaac due to a torn ACL, faces a very uncertain future.