Magic SG Jalen Suggs: Top 5 Defender?

Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley lauded Jalen Suggs' defensive effort throughout this season.

ORLANDO, Fl. - Few players have made the impact Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs has made on the defensive end of the court.

Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley had high praise for the third-year guard's play on defense, echoing what he said earlier in the season about Suggs being one of the best in the NBA.

Jamahl Mosley and Jalen Suggs / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

“I think Jalen [Suggs] does a tremendous job and I’ve said it before, I said it in Denver," Suggs said. "He’s a top-five defender when he is fully and completely locked all the way in and that’s what he’s capable of doing on a regular basis.”

In a potential make-or-break year for the former No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Suggs has put together his best season as a pro. Suggs is averaging 13.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He is also averaging 1.4 steals per game, which is the 11th-best in the NBA. 

Of the 32 games Suggs has played in, he has at least one steal in 24. He also has 11 games with multiple steals. 

Suggs' play is also reflected in the Magic's performance as a team defensively. Orlando is fourth in the league with a 111.4 defensive rating, only trailing the Minnesota Timberwolves (108.7), Boston Celtics (110.4) and Philadelphia 76ers (110.7). The Magic are also sixth in steals per game (8.2). 

Timberwolves vs. Magic: 3 Best Bets

If Orlando's defense continues to thrive and Suggs is at the focal point of that, it could be poised for more success and he'll remain a key part of the franchise's future.