Four months
Ross returns but Magic are derailed by Raptors’ 3s
after he sprained a ligament and fractured bones in his right knee, Terrence Ross makes his longawaited return with the Orlando Magic.
TORONTO — Terrence Ross played only 10 minutes Sunday night, but that brief playing time just might be enough to jump-start him heading into an important summer.
Four and a half months after he sprained a knee ligament and fractured his right leg’s tibial plateau, Ross made his long-awaited return as the Orlando Magic lost to the Toronto Raptors 112-101 at Air Canada Centre.
It was too little, too late to make a dent in the Magic’s disastrous season. With its defeat Sunday, the team fell to 24-56 and preserved its odds for the NBA Draft Lottery. But Ross’ comeback after a long absence meant more to the 2018-19 season than this year.
“It was just nice to be back on the court and get my feet wet again,” Ross said.
He showed some rust, making just one of his five shots and turning the ball over twice. But he also dished out two assists and looked fluid and agile as he ran up and down the court and cut from side to side.
“A player returning from an injury like this has to start viewing [himself ] as a player, not a patient,” Magic coach Frank Vogel said. “That’s one of the transitions you have to make when you’ve been out for such a long time. So for him to get back in some games will be good for him.”
Ross entered the game with 3:02 remaining in the first quarter, and he made a contribution right away. On his first offensive possession, he threw a pinpoint pass to Bismack Biyombo in the lane. Biyombo caught the ball, elevated and dunked, giving Ross an assist.
Early in the second quarter, Biyombo batted away a Toronto pass, and Ross gathered the ball. Ross dribbled upcourt and hurled the ball to Mario Hezonja, who scored on a layup.
During Ross’ 57-game game absence, the Magic missed Ross’ speed on both ends of the court and the respect he draws as a perimeter shooter.
“I missed him definitely,” forward Aaron Gordon said. “Injuries were a big part of this season for everybody down the line, and it’s part of the game. So we’ve got to understand that and we’ve got to overcome that. But to see T-Ross back on the floor, especially coming out and playing against Toronto, I’m glad that he’s healthy and he’s going to have a good offseason. He’s going to come back and he’s going to impact winning for us in a major way.”
Ross missed his first three shot attempts before he sank a 3-pointer with 11:23 remaining in the fourth quarter. He deked right with a jab step, confusing defender C.J. Miles, took a dribble and two steps left before he elevated from 26 feet.
The basket cut the Raptors’ lead to 92-77.
“It was nice shaking off some of the rust, seeing a shot go in,” Ross said. “I’m just wishing I could play more right now.”
Ross finished with three points.
“It’s great to see him back out there,” Vogel said. “He can do a lot of things. He can help us when he’s back next year and at full strength. He definitely looked a little rusty tonight, which is completely to be expected. But that’s not what we’re worried about. We’re worried about just getting him back on the floor and getting him comfortable again.”
The Magic had difficulty slowing the Raptors (58-22) even though All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan and starting center Jonas Valanciunas were given the night off to rest. Toronto still made 50 percent of its shots overall and 43 percent of its 3-pointers.
Miles and rookie forward OG Anunoby did the bulk of the damage, combining to go 10 from 18 beyond the arc. Miles finished with 22 points while Anunoby added 21 points.
Ross’ return and Khem Birch’s 12-point, 12-rebound performance gave the Magic their few highlights.
After the final buzzer, Ross spoke at midcourt with two of his former Raptors teammates, DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. They smiled and laughed as they chatted.
The Magic lost in Ross’ return.
But to him, just being on the court again felt like a victory.