/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52912117/usa_today_9776129.0.jpg)
The injury bug became a little bit worse for the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, when the team announced sharpshooting guard Jodie Meeks underwent surgery to repair a dislocated right thumb. Meeks, who suffered the injury in the teams loss to the New Orleans Pelicans last Wednesday, was initially expected to avoid surgery, but after a second evaluation it was determined he needed surgery.
There is no timetable for his return at this time.
With Evan Fournier continuing to deal with a heel injury, and C.J. Wilcox nursing a sore achillies, the Magic are dangerously thin at the shooting guard spot. Add in D.J. Augustin’s ankle sprain and things are even worse for the Magic’s backcourt.
The team recently sign Anthony Brown to a 10-day contract, which will help with some of the depth, but not fix it completely. As a result of all the injuries, the team turned to Jeff Green to start at the off-guard spot on Tuesday night.
Meeks absence will likely have a profound effect on the Magic offense. Meeks leads the Magic in three-point field goal percentage, currently sitting at 40.4 percent, and has proven to be an effective spark plug off the bench when healthy this season.
This will be Meeks’ second elongated absence from the lineup after he missed the first month of the season recovering from offseason foot surgery.