Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic: Markelle Fultz’s Status Saturday

After returning from the NBA All-Star break with a blowout loss against the Indiana Pacers on the road, the Detroit Pistons will return home to host the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.

As the Pistons search for an opportunity to bounce back after a loss, they’ll take on a shorthanded Magic team, who will miss their starting guard, Markelle Fultz. According to the Magic’s injury report, Fultz has been ruled out due to injury maintenance on his left knee.

Once again, Fultz has struggled to stay healthy for the Magic this year. After starting the season off with four straight appearances, he went on a three-game absence. Although he returned on November 9 to face the Atlanta Hawks, his 28-minute shift would be the last time he would see the court for nearly two months.

For 27-straight games, Fultz was absent for the Magic. He returned to the team on January 7, when they faced the Hawks at home. Being that he missed so much time, the veteran guard was on a minutes restriction, resuming his season as a reserve coming off the bench.

For the most part, Fultz has been healthy enough to consistently see the court for the Magic, even though he’s had some absences spread out over time. Since his return from a long hiatus, Fultz appeared in 16 of the Magic’s last 21 games.

The guard’s absence in Detroit on Saturday will serve as his sixth absence since his return from injury, and it marks his third straight, as he’s missed the Magic's previous two games against the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Since landing with the Magic via Philadelphia, Fultz has faced the Pistons seven times. When he appeared on the court in Detroit earlier this month, he scored eight points, four rebounds, and two assists while shooting 44 percent from the field in 23 minutes of action.

Overall, Fultz has averaged eight points for the Magic this year. He’s shooting 49 percent from the field and just 56 percent from the charity stripe. With just 21 appearances, the guard is still looking to establish a rhythm after missing so much time due to a knee injury. He’ll get another game off on Saturday.

The Pistons and the Magic are set to tip off at 8 PM ET.