Orlando Magic playmaker Markelle Fultz suffered a break on the left of the ACL on Wednesday night, 105-94, over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Magic announced.
Less than five minutes into the game, a Fultz was interrupted by Cavs rookie Isaac Okoro, and Fultz’s left knee bent without contact.
Fultz, the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, writhed in pain on the floor for several minutes before being helped into a wheelchair.
Fultz tweeted later on Wednesday, writing in part: “God has a plan for me and I know that this adversity will only strengthen me in the end.”
“I believe in my brothers on this team and we have a lot more to prove,” wrote Fultz in his tweet. “To all fans. Keep running with us. I will approach this recovery with all my heart and be the best teammate I can be for this organization. True to work.”
Fultz signed a three-year, $ 50 million overtime extension last month and was finally showing the promise that made him the No. 1 overall choice when leading Magic for a quick start this season. He had the best career average of 14.3 points, along with 3.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists in seven games.
Fultz was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers as part of his long reconstruction, but he struggled for years with a difficult-to-diagnose shoulder injury that ended up being called thoracic outlet syndrome, a nerve disease that affected the sensation in his arm and hand. It was traded with Magic in February 2019.
“It’s a big blow for us,” said Magic Nikola Vucevic, whose team will also be without striker Jonathan Isaac this season due to an ACL injury. “Unfortunately for [Fultz] this is very sad, because for two years he had a shoulder injury, so last year he finally managed to play and this year was supposed to be a big year for him. He was ready and started the incredible season. This really sucks for a guy like him, who worked his way back. It’s hard to see and you feel for the guy. ”
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,” said Ross. “He has a lion’s heart. He’s super talented. Always optimistic. I know he will be able to handle this, and we all support him and will be here to support him.
“You hate to see that, especially for a guy who had already fought so hard and came back and was paying attention. Now this. It’s one of those things that will make him stronger, and he’ll come back from that. no doubt.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.