Magic’s Chuma Okeke hoping to guard Carmelo Anthony in first matchup
On Tuesday, the Orlando Magic hit the road and begin a four-game West Coast trip with the Portland Trail Blazers first up on the schedule at the Moda Center.
The meeting will be the first of the season between the two teams, and the first opportunity for rookies Cole Anthony and Chuma Okeke to play the likes of Damian Lillard and Carmelo Anthony.
Okeke often watched Anthony growing up through his various stops in the NBA so the Magic forward is excited about the matchup and the potential chance of guarding him throughout the game.
“It’s going to be very fun being that [Lillard and Anthony have] been in the league for so long, especially Carmelo,” Okeke said on Monday. “I grew up watching him so it’s going to be fun. Hopefully, I get to guard him and see where I’m at.”
Okeke recently returned from a 16-game absence due to a knee injury. He has played in three games since returning and is still working to get back into the flow of the game, but has experienced no issues.
“I feel good, everything is feeling real good,” Okeke said. “I’ve been feeling real comfortable out there on the court. I feel like I’m still moving a little bit too fast but I will get better as I continue to play.”
The addition of Okeke to the lineup comes as Aaron Gordon is expected to miss time with an ankle injury. Okeke now returns to fill a key role off the bench and his presence gives the team a solid two-way contributor on both ends of the floor.
Once he enters the game on Tuesday, Okeke will likely draw the assignment of guarding Anthony, and that figures to be a memorable moment for the rookie.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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