Why Magic SG Joe Ingles is 'Very Important' to Team's Success

Joe Ingles has been a veteran leader for the Orlando Magic this season, helping lead them to their first postseason appearance in four years.

Jeremy Brener | Apr 18, 2024

Apr 12, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Orlando Magic guard Joe Ingles (7) dribbles the ball / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

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ORLANDO - When the Orlando Magic signed Joe Ingles this offseason, they had the playoffs in mind.

Ingles has made the playoffs every year that he's been healthy since 2017 back when he was with the Utah Jazz. So signing with the Magic, a team that has missed the playoffs since 2020, seemed like a weird fit. However, he may have been the missing piece.

“Grandpa’s helped us out all year in every aspect," Jalen Suggs said. "Helping us grow up, helping us understand the seriousness of each moment and yet how to still have fun and enjoy being here as a young team."

Ingles averaged just 4.4 points per game for the Magic this past season, but his ability to be a facilitator within the offense and getting his teammates involved was crucial towards the chemistry of the team. He has also taken a massive role in being a vocal leader for the team.

He also shoots 43.5 percent from beyond the 3-point line, which leads the team. Coach Jamahl Mosley said Ingles was "very important" to the team's game plan in terms of his perimeter shooting and defense.

The Cleveland Cavaliers shoot a high volume of threes, so the Magic will have to do their best to counterbalance. That will involve a lot of their defense, but if they aren't hitting their shots, it will be extremely difficult to come out of this series on top.

Ingles and the Magic are back in action on Saturday against the Cavs. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Published Apr 18, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.