2 min read • March 22, 2022
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Former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz will play Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors, but sit for Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team announced.
The Orlando Magic point guard has played nine games since returning in late February this season and is averaging 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists on 45.1% from the field, 28.6% from three and 77.8% from the line.
Fultz played eight games last season before tearing his left knee ACL in January 2021.
The team continue to manage his minutes a workload, a smart approach for a player coming back from major injury.
At 19-53, the Magic are tied for the second-worst record in the league and thus have no reason to push Fultz into more action than he's ready for at this point in his recovery.
A full calendar year is typically the benchmark for return to play from an ACL tear. Fultz returned after 13 months and the extra time has clearly helped him play effectively in limited minutes.
His free throw woes from his Philadelphia days also seem to be behind him. After shooting 47.6% and 56.8% from the line his first two seasons, he shot 73% in his last full season and 89.5% and 77.8% in limited reps the last two seasons.
Cole Anthony, the No. 15 pick in the 2020, has established himself as the Magic's starting point guard, but Fultz has carved out a nice role with second unit and should see increased minutes in the season's final month.
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