A week after beating the odds to make the Orlando Magic's roster coming out of the preseason, Solomon Jones has suffered a setback.
The former University of South Florida star and native of nearby Mount Dora will need to undergo surgery and will be sidelined indefinitely because of a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. The injury occurred Wednesday night at Minnesota during the Magic's 120-115 overtime loss to the Timberwolves, although it is unclear exactly when or how it happened.
Jones, a veteran of seven previous NBA seasons, whom the Magic signed just before training camp, played almost all of the fourth quarter and overtime at power forward after Jason Maxiell had trouble defending Kevin Love. Maxiell was making his second consecutive start in place of the injured Tobias Harris (sprained left ankle) and will likely start again tonight in the Magic's home opener against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jones had four points and eight rebounds against the Timberwolves, including a dunk off a missed shot by Arron Afflalo which gave the Magic a 99-98 lead with less than three minutes to go in regulation.
With Jones joining Harris and Glen Davis (left foot rehabilitation) on the Magic's injury list, coach Jacque Vaughn is down to second-year players Andrew Nicholson and Kyle O'Quinn as far as players who can back up Maxiell. Nicholson is off to a tremendous start offensively, having scored in double figures before halftime of both games.
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