The Magic Insider

Jalen Suggs is the point guard the Magic are looking for

The Orlando Magic's point guard continues to develop as a playmaker
Nov 4, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Nov 4, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

In this story:


The Orlando Magic have won five of their last six games.

One big reason why is the growing emergence of their answer at point guard.

Jalen Suggs is ready to run QB1 full time.

Jalen Suggs Playmaking Showcased in Magic Wins over Warriors and Clippers

Jalen Suggs dribbles
Nov 18, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) brings the ball up court during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Already a chaotic energy defender and sparkplug 3pt shooter, Jalen Suggs continues to show development as a playmaker.

Suggs thrives launching passes in transition, hitting cutters with dimes and rollers for lobs, and playing connector making the extra pass in the halfcourt.

Against Golden State Tuesday night, Jalen Suggs missed every three he took, but found a way to impact winning elsewhere: posting a 7 AST / 3 TO ratio, racking up 2 STL + 1 BLK, holding Steph to 4/9 FG + 1 TO in their matchup.

Suggs shot lights out against the Clippers, splashing 5 threes on 56% 3P% while scoring 23 PTS on 72% TS% with 7 AST / 3 TO - 2 STL - 2 BLK - 3 REB, but once again it was also his playmaking that popped, with Jalen assisting 47% of his team's shots while he was on the floor.

I asked Jalen Suggs after his strong showing against the Clippers how he feels about his Playmaking Development since becoming the Orlando Magic's longterm answer at point guard and how he weighs risk/reward when it comes to highlight passes in tight windows.


On the passes a harlem globetrotter would be proud of, Suggs told me, "the moment you start to second guess the passes, the windows — can you get it through, can you not — more often than not they close and you miss your opportunity.”

Jalen Suggs is often finding teammates in efficient areas of the floor, hunting for the best shot for his team, giving up good looks for great ones.

These good shot passing readys by Suggs had led to him racking up a huge percentage of his assists at the rim.

Jalen Suggs ranks 9th in Rim Assists (and 60th in 3pt Assists) per 100 possessions, among players with 200+ minutes played this season, via PBP Stats.

I visualized that data visualized below:

NBA Leaders in Rim Assists Per 100 Poss
NBA Leaders in Rim Assists Per 100 Poss | MANDATORY CREDIT: Ryan Kaminski / @BeyondTheRK / PBP Stats


Jalen's Per 100 Rim-Assist Rate currently rates higher than the likes of James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Ja Morant, D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Scottie Barnes, Collin Sexton, and Tyrese Maxey while rating just behind Luka Doncic, Steph Castle, Cole Anthony, LaMelo Ball, Jamal Shead and Cade Cunningham. Nikola Jokic stands alone, doubling the rate.

If Suggs keeps this up, he'd be assisting half of his teams shots at the rim while he's on the floor, and half of those assisted shots will likely be at the rim.

Orlando has found its point guard: Jalen Suggs, the efficient shot bounty hunter.


Published
Ryan Kaminski
RYAN KAMINSKI

Ryan is a basketball scout data analyst who has been covering the Orlando Magic, NBA, and NBA Draft with a focus on roster building strategy, data analytics, film breakdowns, and player development since 2017. He is credentialed media for the Orlando Magic along with top high schools in Central Florida where he scouts talent in marquee matchups at Montverde Academy, IMG Academy, Oak Ridge, and the NBPA Top-100 Camp. He generates basketball data visualizations, formerly with The BBall Index. He has two B.A.s from Florida State University in Business Management and Business Marketing. Twitter/YouTube/Substack: @BeyondTheRK