Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz suffered a season-ending end of the left ACL in Wednesday night’s 105-94 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Magic announced.
Less than five minutes into the game, a running Fultz was cut off by Cavs rookie Isaac Okoro, and Fultz’s left knee shrank without contact.
Fultz, the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, squirmed in pain on the floor for several minutes before being helped into a wheelchair.
Fultz posted a tweet Later Wednesday he wrote in part, “God has a plan for me and I know this setback 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 fans. Keep riding with us. I’m going to this recovery with all my heart and be the best teammate I can be for this organization. True to the grind.”
Fultz signed a $ 50 million three-year extension last month, finally showing the promise that made him No. 1 overall, as he led the Magic to a quick start this season. He came in with an average of 14.3 points in his career, along with 3.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists in seven games.
Fultz was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers as part of their long-term remodel, but struggled for years with a difficult-to-diagnose shoulder injury that was eventually diagnosed as thoracic exhaust syndrome, a nerve disorder that affected sensation in his arm and hand. He was traded to the Magic in February 2019.
“It’s a huge blow to us,” said Magic center Nikola Vucevic, whose team will also be without standout striker Jonathan Isaac this season due to an ACL tear. “Unfortunately for that [Fultz] this is really sad because for two years he had a shoulder injury, last year he could finally play and this year was going to be a big year for him. He was ready and he started the season great. This is really worthless to a man like him who has worked his way back. It’s hard to see and you feel with the man. ”
Terrence Ross, who scored 20 points off the bench to lead the Magic, expressed confidence that Fultz would recover from his injury.
If anyone can handle it, it’s ‘Kelle,’ Ross said. He’s got the heart of a lion. He’s super talented. He’s always positive. I know he can handle this, and we’ve all got his back and will be there for him.
“You hate to see this, especially for a man who had fought so much before and came back and was playing ball. This is 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.