By John Denton Feb. 13, 2017
MIAMI – An Orlando Magic team desperate for good news of any kind right now got some in the form of the expected return of small forward Aaron Gordon tonight.
Gordon, who missed the past two games with a bone bruise in his right foot, went through the team's morning practice and is expected to play with no restrictions tonight for the Magic (20-36) against the Miami Heat (24-31).
“It feels good. I haven't been really running around too much, but when you get out there you've got to get your feet right and I did that today and it was a good shootaround for that,'' Gordon said. “I was very determined to get back.''
Gordon, Orlando's best defensive player all season, is expected to return to the starting lineup and play without a minutes limit. Mario Hezonja, the starter at small forward the past two games, is expected to return to a reserve role.
Gordon, 21, said that while he will be back on the floor, he must be smart about the injury and not overdo things if pain should return in his foot. He said he was pain free on Monday morning and making it through the practice allowed him to clear whatever mental hurdles that might be there when returning from an injury.
“You have to listen to your body, but when I'm out on the floor you've got to go all in. That's the only way to protect yourself really – to completely put yourself into the game,'' said Gordon, who played in the Magic's first 54 games before the injury and has averaged 11.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27.5 minutes a night. “So that's what I'm going to do.''
Though it's not a high priority at all now considering the struggles that the Magic are facing, Gordon is expected to still compete in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday night in New Orleans. Gordon said the foot injury kept him from practicing for the event, but he vowed that he still has plenty of tricks in his bag for the event. He was the runner-up in the dunk competition last year in Toronto.
If the Magic are looking for inspiration in trying to turn around their slumping season, they need only look across the court tonight at the rival Heat.
Once 11-30 and seemingly headed to their worst season in years, Miami incredibly and improbably strung together 13 straight wins for the longest winning streak in the NBA this season. During that spree – one that ended Saturday night in Philadelphia – the Heat topped Houston, Golden State, Chicago and Atlanta to rise back into contention for a playoff spot.
The Magic would love to do the same thing, but first they must find a way to beat the Heat and shed a disturbing four-game losing streak. The Magic have been routed in three of those defeats, falling 112-80 most recently in Dallas on Saturday night.
Now, they have turned all their focus to tonight and trying to beat the Heat and stop another slide.
“We can't get too caught up in (Miami's recent run) or caught up in the standings. We've got to worry about trying win one game,'' Magic coach Frank Vogel said. “That's the best way to stop a drought or a losing streak – keep your eyes on the task at hand.''
Gordon, a third-year pro, marvels at how Miami turned its season around with its recent torrid play. He said there's no reason the same thing can't happen in Orlando because of the talent and experience on the Magic roster.
“We're just looking to compete tonight and it's going to be a fun game,'' Gordon said. “We want to get better, improve and compete.''
