Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon has missed the last two games due to a sore lower back, but it sounds like the former Arizona Wildcat has recovered enough to suit up for Wednesday's matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.
According to a report from Magic beat writer John Denton, Gordon was a full participant in Tuesday morning's practice session. Gordon tells Denton that his back is feeling “markedly better.”
.@OrlandoMagic F Aaron Gordon (sore lower back) went through all his team’s drills in practice today & said his back feels markedly better. He said barring no setbacks, he’ll play Wednesday night vs. @BrooklynNets.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) January 22, 2019
This is clearly good news for the Magic, who are currently holding a 20-27 overall record and the No. 4 spot in the Southeast Division standings. Gordon's explosive offense is always an issue for opposing sides.
In his 43 appearances with Orlando this season (all starts), Gordon has racked up averages of 15.8 points on 45.2 percent shooting from the field (36.1 percent from beyond the arc), 7.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and just under one steal (0.8) in 33.5 minutes per outing.
Jonathon Simmons, who posted seven points and four rebounds in Monday night's 122-103 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, was starting in Gordon's place. He'll likely be relegated to a reserve role with Gordon making his return to the lineup.
Monday's win snapped a three-game losing streak and left the Magic only 2 1/2 games behind the Charlotte Hornets, who are currently the 8th-ranked team in the Eastern Conference.
“We're doing everything we can to get into that eighth spot,” Evan Fournier told ESPN after Monday's game.
Wednesday's Magic-Nets game is scheduled to tip inside the Barclays Center at 7:30 p.m. EST.
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