For a period of time, Devin Cannady wasn’t sure when — or even if — he’d be back playing in the NBA.
Cannady’s first opportunity in the league came when he signed a 10-day contract with the Orlando Magic on April 6, 2021, before signing a two-way contract 10 days later.
He averaged 4.3 points in eight games, including a career-high 17 points against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 22, 2021, but suffered an open fracture of his right ankle three days later against the Indiana Pacers to end his season.
One week later, the Magic waived him, leading to a near year-long journey to get back on the NBA floor.
“It’s an unknown,” Cannady said. “I remember what it felt like laying on that floor less than a year ago. A lot of thoughts went through my mind. I remember praying on the floor that day. A lot of late nights, early mornings, frustrations, excitements and just to be back here is a testament to the work I put in. Whether I made it back here or not, I was going to be fine, but this is where I believe I belong.”
That journey moved in the right direction for Cannady when he signed a 10-day deal with the Magic from the franchise’s G League team, the Lakeland Magic, Thursday and made his season debut in Friday’s home loss to the Toronto Raptors.
“I’m just so happy for him, his journey and his story of what he’s been through,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “He just stepped right in and was ready.”
There perhaps isn’t anyone on the Magic’s roster who better understands what Cannady went through than Markelle Fultz.
Fultz went to Lakeland for practices during the winter while rehabbing from his torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
It was there he got to witness the work Cannady was putting in to come back.
Cannady averaged 15.8 points on 46.8% shooting on 3-pointers (59 of 126) in 16 games (11 starts) with Lakeland this season.
“I’m super excited for him,” Fultz said. “I believe in everything he does.”
Cannady knew he’d play Friday, but Franz Wagner spraining his left ankle 20 seconds into the loss to the Raptors meant Cannady would get more playing time than originally expected.
He made the most of it, scoring 9 points on 3-of-7 shooting on 3-pointers in 28 minutes.
“It just felt good checking back into that game,” Cannady said. “I didn’t think I was as nervous as I was going to be. The emotions were still there, but it was joy more than anything.
“Just feels good to be back on an NBA floor. I feel like I belong.”
The Magic added new names to their injury report for Sunday’s home matchup against the New York Knicks.
Wagner (sprained left ankle), Cole Anthony (sprained left toe) and Admiral Schofield (left knee contusion) are listed as questionable while Wendell Carter Jr. (sprained left wrist) and Jalen Suggs (bone bruise in right ankle) will sit.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
()