Magic's Markelle Fultz expected to return Monday after more than a year on the sidelines

Markelle Fultz of the Orlando Magic is expected to make his return to the court Monday against the Indiana Pacers, he announced during a podcast appearance Saturday. 

Fultz, 23, was the top pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, but hasn't played a game since suffering a torn ACL on Jan. 6, 2021. He returned to practice in December and will finally return to action for the first time in nearly 14 months.

“I’m just blessed just to be able to, one, be where I am today after going through an injury like this and being able to fight and just be back on the court with my brothers and friends,” Fultz said on the Orlando Magic Pod Squad. “So, one, I’m just blessed and I’m thankful for the process and the journey that I’ve been through. I’m very excited just to get out there with my teammates and go out there and compete.” 

The Magic acquired Fultz in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019 after a tumultuous tenure with the team that included a peculiar shoulder injury and criticisms of his shooting motion. Fultz was putting together a career-best year during the 2020-21 season before his injury with an average of 12.9 points and 5.4 assists.

Orlando currently has the worst record in the NBA at 14-47. The Magic used the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft to pick point guard Jalen Suggs, who is averaging 12.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.7 rebounds so far in his rookie season.