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Orlando Magic goalie Markelle Fultz suffered a late-season left ACL tear in Wednesday night’s 105-94 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Magic reported.
Less than five minutes into the game, a driving Fultz was cut off by Cavs rookie Isaac Okoro, and Fultz’s left knee flexed contactlessly.
Fultz, the No.1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, writhed in pain on the floor for several minutes before being helped into a wheelchair.
Fultz posted a tweet Wednesday later, writing in part, “God has a plan for me and I know this adversity will only make me stronger in the end.”
“I believe in my brothers on this team and we have so much more to prove,” Fultz wrote in his tweet. “To all the fans. Keep riding with us. I will approach this recovery with all my heart and be the best teammate I can be in this organization. True to the grind.”
Fultz signed a three-year, $ 50 million extension last month and was finally showing the promise that made him a No. 1 overall pick as he led the Magic to an early start this season. He averaged a career-high 14.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists in seven games.
Fultz was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers as part of their lengthy rebuild, but struggled for years with a difficult-to-diagnose shoulder injury ultimately determined to be thoracic outlet syndrome, a nerve condition that affected sensation in his arm and hand. He was traded to Magic in February 2019.
“It’s a big blow for us,” said Magic center Nikola Vucevic, whose side will also be without forward Jonathan Isaac this season due to an ACL tear. “Unfortunately for [Fultz] it’s really sad because for two years he had a shoulder injury and then last year he finally got to play and this year was supposed to be a big year for him. He was ready and he started the season on a high note. It really sucks for a guy like him who has worked his way. It’s hard to see, and you feel for the guy. ”
Terrence Ross, who scored 20 points off the bench to lead the Magic, expressed confidence that Fultz would bounce back from his injury.
“If anyone can handle this, it’s’ Kelle,” Ross said. “He’s got the heart of a lion. He’s super talented. He’s always positive. I know he’ll be able to handle that, and we’ve all supported him and will be there for him.
“You hate to see that, especially for a guy who had already struggled so much and came back and was playing. Now this. It’s one of those things that will make him stronger and he will come back from this. I have no doubt. “
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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