Nikola Vucevic had found his rhythm as the Orlando Magic tried to jumpstart their season when everything came crashing down.
Nikola Vucevic had just been named the Eastern Conference’s Player of the Week after averaging nearly 30 points per game across an undefeated three-game week. The All-Star Vucevic that keyed the Magic to the playoff spot last year — and now seemingly had some help in Jonathan Isaac’s defense and Evan Fournier’s revitalized offense — was returning to form.
Why it took such a slow start was fairly unclear.