Magic rookie Chuma Okeke to return Tuesday after 16-game absence
Prior to hosting the Toronto Raptors, the Orlando Magic announced that rookie Chuma Okeke will be available to play on Tuesday after missing the past 16 games due to a left knee bone bruise.
Okeke initially suffered the injury on Dec. 31 versus the Philadelphia 76ers when he tweaked his knee on a spin play. He was later seen hobbling off of the court back to the locker room and later said it was initially a pretty painful injury.
The return of Okeke comes just as Aaron Gordon is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks with a severe ankle sprain. Gordon suffered the injury on Sunday in Tampa versus the Raptors and was forced to leave the game in the third quarter.
“(Chuma) is going to play,” Magic head coach Steve Clifford said before the game. “He is ready. He has been through contact and stuff. He is not ready to play big minutes but we need him to be able to play, tonight it will probably be 12-14 minutes. It will be a way to ease him in.”
Okeke missed all of the 2019-20 season after suffering a torn ACL in March 2019 during the NCAA Tournament. He made his debut with the Magic this season and appeared in the first five games, averaging three points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 18.3 minutes per game.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
Related
Steve Clifford reacts to 'dangerous' play by Kyle Lowry on Aaron Gordon
Watch: Greg Anthony's wholesome reaction to seeing Cole's game-winner
Chuma Okeke realized he was in the NBA once he saw his Magic jersey
List
NBA Power Rankings: Jazz overtake LeBron, Lakers for top spot
