Goga Bitadze had gone 10 days since he last stepped on the court in a game for the Magic.
Before then, the reserve center had only played once in the last nine games and just three times in the past 15 contests.
But when Orlando learned in the hours leading up to Tuesday’s game against Washington it would be without Wendell Carter Jr. because of left ankle soreness he felt during his pre-game routine, Bitadze was called upon by Magic coach Jamahl Mosley.
Not only did Bitadze make just his second start of the season but he also saw 21 minutes of action, his most since he played 32 in his only other start of the season against New Orleans on Jan. 11.
And he took advantage of every minute on the floor, too, racking up nine points, six rebounds, two assists and one block as the Magic used a big third quarter to cruise past the Wizards 126-109 inside Kia Center.
“Goga’s the best,” Orlando teammate Jalen Suggs said about Bitadze. “He’s just in the right spots, sets good screens, rolls (and) has so much gravity when he rolls. And then he’s always behind you ready to block a shot. So, shoutout to Goga (for) staying ready.”
Added Mosley: “I can’t give him enough credit for being able to be called on (at) the last minute and come out and play the way that he did and impact the game.”
Bitadze could be of more help as the regular season winds down and Orlando looks to regain health.
Both Carter and Anthony Black (right quad contusion) were considered game-time decisions heading to Thursday’s matchup with Dallas. While the pair were able to go through shootaround, Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (left knee soreness) wasn’t able to participate after being added to the injury report in the morning.
With only 21 games remaining in the regular season after Thursday, Orlando entered the night a game back of No. 6 Philadelphia, but in a virtual tie with No. 8 Miami and only 1 1/2 games ahead of No. 9 Charlotte and No. 10 Atlanta in the East.
Seeds 7-10 in each conference compete in the Play-In for the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds in the playoffs.
Following their four-game homestand, the Magic head back on the road this weekend for a back-to-back that starts Saturday afternoon at Minnesota and ends Sunday night in Milwaukee.
“We talk about wanting to play your best basketball in March and April, and being able to understand what we need our guys to be doing and what we need to be doing as a group,” Mosley said after shootaround. “And it does start with the defensive end.”
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
Magic at Timberwolves
When: 3 p.m., Saturday, Target Center
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida, Amazon Prime Video