Orlando Magic's Markelle Fultz, out since January 2021, to return Monday

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz, the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA draft who suffered a torn left ACL more than a year ago, will return to action against the Indiana Pacers on Monday, the team said Saturday.

Fultz suffered the injury when his left knee buckled without contact during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 6, 2021. He writhed in pain on the floor for several minutes before he was helped into a wheelchair.

He returned to practice in December.

Fultz signed a three-year, $50 million extension in December 2020. He had been averaging a career-best 14.3 points, along with 3.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists, prior to the injury.

He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers as part of their lengthy rebuild but struggled for years with a difficult-to-diagnose shoulder injury ultimately determined to be thoracic outlet syndrome, a nerve ailment that affected the feeling in the right arm and hand. He was traded to the Magic in February 2019.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.