The NBA have issued a brutal ban on an Orlando Magic star’s in-game ritual – and it’s fair to say that fans are not happy about it.
It was revealed on Saturday that the league had banned Magic star Jalen Suggs from wearing his headband around his neck, which has long been his in-game tradition.
Suggs typically elevates the band to his head once he gets into the flow of a game, meaning the band is rarely around his neck while he is on the court.
However, that didn’t stop the NBA chiefs from banning the act and informing the Magic that Suggs must have the headband around his head at tip-off.
The 24-year-old previously revealed his reasons for wearing the headband around his neck when speaking to USA Today.
He said: ‘I wear it on my neck, and once I feel into the game, into the flow, I put it on my head, and we rock. That’s just me being J-Suggs.
The NBA have issued a bizarre ban to Orlando Magic star Jalen Suggs over a pre-game ritual
The league have said Suggs is no longer allowed to wear his headband around his neck
‘Really, it originates as football drip — that’s where it stems from. But I don’t know. There really isn’t much else to it.’
In the wake of the ban, perplexed basketball fans rushed to social media to question the decision from the NBA.
Taking to X on Saturday, one fan wrote: ‘Adam Silver taking care of the important stuff. No need to be worried about the ineptitude of the NBA’s officiating…’
Another said: ‘Flopping & foul baiting… ok. 10 minute review stoppages… ok. Momentary neck band… NOT OK!!!’
‘So they can put sweatbands on any other part of their body besides their neck lmaoo ok,’ another user pointed out.
‘Is there a good reason for this? What’s the big deal?,’ another user on X questioned.
One fan said: ‘He wears it around his neck until he feels like he’s in a rhythm. It’s around his neck for maybe 2-3 minutes of game time. This is such a nothing burger’.
The 2021 Draft pick has been in superb form for the Magic during the season and has averaged 15 points-per-game, 3.6 rebounds-per-game and 4.7 assists-per-game.
Interestingly, just hours after news of the NBA’s ban broke, Suggs was ruled out indefinitely after the Magic revealed he had suffered a Grade 1 MCL contusion.
Basketball fans rushed to social media to question the decision from the NBA
Suggs, who has been crucial for the Magic, has suffered a Grade 1 contusion in his right knee
The guard appeared to pick up the injury in his right knee during their 121-114 defeat to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.
It’s a huge blow for the 24-year-old who has often struggled with injuries during his five-year NBA career.
He had only just returned from a left hip contusion, which had kept him out for seven games, before playing two games and then suffering the knee injury.
Meanwhile, in March, Suggs underwent arthroscopic surgery in order to have a cartilage fragment removed from his left knee.
