On Friday night time, the Orlando Magic escaped with a slender 122-120 victory over the league’s defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. Jalen Suggs was instrumental in serving to his younger crew pull off the tight win.

He ended the night time with a career-high 27 factors with a extremely environment friendly seven-made three-pointers on 9 makes an attempt. General, he was a dependable weapon on offense as he went 9-for-15 from the sector regardless of solely making half his free throw makes an attempt (2-for-4).

Suggs’ career-high was nonetheless instrumental in serving to his crew safe the two-point victory. As such, it was one thing that was talked about throughout the post-game press convention. Whereas his enormous sport was being mentioned with the media, the third-year guard additionally took the time to deal with his psychological well being.

“I struggled a lot with mental health,” Suggs mentioned (h/t Fawzan Amer). “It’s a battle I’ve constantly been working at day after day and you know I had a little dip for a couple of days and to be honest with fatigue and with the demand of the season, expectations and continually trying to get better and all that. I think a lot of it goes just to the work I’ve done spiritually and mentally.”

Jalen Suggs additionally took the time to say his household, whom he mentioned has been supportive no matter how he has performed and in addition took the time to share some encouragement.

“A lot of credit goes to my family, for always keeping me suppoted and loved no matter how the game goes,” Suggs added. “Whether I have a great game or one of those Phoenix [Suns] and Golden State [Warriors] games where it’s a bit of a struggle… To all the people struggling out there with that, there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Together with Suggs, final season’s Rookie of the Yr, Paolo Banchero, led the Magic to a victory with 32 factors, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Additionally learn: Top 10 underrated players in NBA in 2023-24 ft. Jalen Suggs, Scottie Barnes & more.

Jalen Suggs has proven lots of enchancment in his scoring this season

Throughout his rookie 12 months, Jalen Suggs scored 11.8 factors per sport on 36% capturing from the sector and an abysmal 21% from behind the three-point arc. In his second 12 months, he improved his capturing percentages to 41% from the sector and 32% from the downtown. Nevertheless, his scoring common dipped to solely 9.9 factors per sport.

This 12 months, Suggs has enormously improved his factors per sport averages and scoring effectivity. He has raised his common to 13.4 factors per sport whereas capturing a career-best 45% from the sector and 39% from downtown.

If he continues to enhance on offense, Jalen Suggs may develop into top-of-the-line two-way gamers within the NBA, and he and Paolo Banchero may type an thrilling, dynamic duo.