The Orlando Magic’s curse continues to strengthen its case. At this point, no one can even deny it. Following the series of injuries, the Florida side has a new entrant. This time, it’s the veteran guard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. After just playing 11 minutes in tonight’s regular season challenge against the Milwaukee Bucks, Pope walked off the court with a knee injury.

While everyone expected the ace perimeter defender to return for the second half, the team announced that the star wouldn’t make it for the rest of the game. Notably, Paolo Banchero returned to the floor for the first since his grave injury at the start of the season. Amid this chaos, the Magic still have something to celebrate too!

Importantly, the injury came in at the least expected moment. Caldwell-Pope, in his 11 minutes, scored 3 points and moved swiftly, setting up a lockdown defense on the Bucks players. However, during the 9th-minute mark in the second quarter, a particular defensive play left the veteran guard injured. Pope followed Damian Lillard to the rim, tightly guarding and attempting to block his layup, jumping along with him. While he did block Lillard’s layup, he also landed awkwardly on his left leg.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope instantly called for help and limped off the floor. Caleb Houstan punched in for Pope and took care of the rest of the game. Further updates revealed that the former NBA Champ left the floor, struggling with left knee soreness. Fortunately, the Magic side has a two-day break before taking the court once again. So, Pope can put in the recovery and get back to his playing form. Next up, the team will be facing the Philadelphia 76ers at home. So, there isn’t much travel.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope adds further burden on the Magic fold

Undoubtedly, the Magic side is packed with grit and vigor. The team was constantly thrown with challenges and it managed to bounce back each time. Most importantly, they stood their ground and stayed afloat in the East top-4 and it’s the prize for their aggressive defense play.

Five games into the season, the team’s centerpiece Paolo Banchero suffered an oblique injury, ruling him out of action for more than two months. While Franz Wagner took care of the business in his absence, he also sustained the same injury. Even then, the team managed to fight with its defensive ability. And the injuries kept adding. Following Banchero and Wagner, Moe Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Gary Harris joined the list.

Tonight, after missing 34 games, Banchero made his return, and it was a promising one. It was as if he started from where he left off. He dropped 34 points and 7 rebounds with 5 three-pointers. However, it wasn’t enough to withstand Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s flurry, as he guided the Bucks to a 109-106 victory. On one end, the management can be happy that Banchero is back and on the other, Caldwell-Pope has joined the injury report. Hopefully, it isn’t anything serious. What do you think? Will we see a different shade of the Magic from now on? Let us know in the comments