Augustin may not be available
The Orlando Magic likely will have just two healthy point guards available for the next week or so.
who strained his left hamstring on Nov. 1 in Memphis, probably won’t be able to play during the Magic’s four-game road trip to the West Coast, which will begin tonight in Phoenix and end Nov. 15 in Portland.
“I don’t anticipate that [D.J. can play on the trip],” coach said. “He’s really just in the mindset that he’s going to continue to try to improve and see how he responds from treatment.”
The Magic received some welcome news on the point guard front Wednesday night.
returned from an eight-game absence due to his own left-hamstring strain and led the Magic to a 112-99 victory over the New York Knicks. Payton pushed the ball upcourt and orchestrated the offense well, compiling 11 points and 11 assists with just two turnovers.
“The biggest thing with E.P. is the pace, man,” swingman said. “He’s incredible getting into the paint, making decisions, pushing the pace. When your point guard is running, as a wing player you have to run. It’s just better for us offensively.”
Payton is being backed up now by third-string point guard
Payton still isn’t completely healthy. After the win over New York, Payton acknowledged that his hamstring is “still pretty tight.”
“But I’m out there, bro,” he said.
The Magic posted a 5-1 record in games Augustin started during Payton’s absence, and the Magic miss Augustin’s long-range shooting and veteran presence.
On Thursday, the Magic assigned rookie big man
and rookie swingman to Lakeland of the G-League.
Lakeland, which opened its season 1-1, will play its home opener tonight at RP Funding Center against the Canton Charge.
Birch already has played two games this season for Lakeland. In those two games, he averaged 14.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocks.
Through Wednesday, the Magic ranked second in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage, 11th in offensive efficiency and seventh in defensive efficiency.