Magic Coach Jamahl Mosley Says Chuma Okeke 'Did A Great Job' vs. 76ers
ORLANDO - Injuries have thinned the Orlando Magic's rotation and led to players seeing more minutes than normal.
With Jonathan Isaac, Joe Ingles and Gary Harris all out with injuries in Orlando's 112-92 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday at the Kia Center, Chuma Okeke played his most minutes of the season. In 14 minutes, Okeke had 3 points and 4 rebounds plus 1 block against Philadelphia.
Magic (18-12) head coach Jamahl Mosley lauded the effort of Okeke on both sides of the floor against the 76ers (21-9).
"I think he did a great job in his minutes," Mosley said. "I thought he did a good job of trying to defend the right way, finishing a couple possessions with the rebound, making some spray-out passes, I thought he was active."
Chuma Okeke attempting a jump shot vs. the Memphis Grizzlies.
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Okeke has played sparingly for the Magic since being taken in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-6 forward first saw the court in 2020 after spending his first season recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in his final season at Auburn. Since his first season, Okeke has seen his playing time decrease each season.
With Orlando dealing with its fair share of injuries, Okeke could see more meaningful minutes. If the former first-round pick can make the most of his minutes as he did against the 76ers, it could lead to more consistent playing time even when Isaac, Ingles and Harris return.
The Magic return to the Kia Center on Friday when it hosts the New York Knicks (17-13) at 7 p.m. ET.
