Orlando Magic rookie Mo Bamba sidelined for a 'significant time' with stress fracture in left leg

The Orlando Magic will be without its star center Mo Bamba for a “significant time.” On Tuesday, the rookie suffered a stress fracture injury in his lower left leg, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

In a statement posted to Orlando’s public relations Twitter account, Magic President Jeff Weltman expressed relief that trainers identified the problem before it was serious enough to require surgery. As for an estimated return date, Weltman explained that it would be contingent on how the 20-year-old “responds to treatment.”

“Thankfully, we caught this early and are able to treat Mo (Bamba) without surgery,” Weltman said. “His return to action will depend on how he responds to treatment.”

Bamba played just one year in Austin before being selected 6th overall by the Magic in the 2018 NBA draft. The investment into developing the young star has paid off. In the first year of his career, Bamba is averaging 6.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

Chasing a playoffs appearance for the first time in six years, Bamba’s fracture comes at inconvenient time for head coach Steve Clifford. Despite the setback, however, the Magic still have a young core of talent in Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac that can soften the blow of losing one of their star athletes.

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