JANUARY 23: Isaac will be available for Monday’s game, the Magic confirmed (via Twitter).
JANUARY 22: The Magic expect forward Jonathan Isaac to play in his first NBA game since August 2020 on Monday against the Celtics, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Khobi Price of The Orlando Sentinel reports that Isaac will initially be listed on the league’s official injury report as questionable, but that Orlando plans to upgrade his status to available after a team walkthrough.
Isaac initially tore his left ACL in August 2020, but during his recovery he dealt with a setback and had to undergo an additional surgery, this time on his right hamstring, in March 2022. He had been ramping up his rehabilitation significantly this season with an eye on a return. Earlier this month, Isaac had improved enough to be able to play for the Magic’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic.
In addition to missing the end of 2019/20, the 25-year-old Isaac was out for the entire 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons. He has also been sidelined for the Magic’s first 46 games already this season. Prior to the ’20/21 season, though he was already set to miss the entire year, Isaac inked a four-year, $80MM contract extension with Orlando.
The 6’11” forward holds career averages of 9.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 1.1 APG and 1.1 SPG. He has only played 136 games for the Magic since first being drafted with the sixth pick out of Florida State in 2017.
Nice ….. wish you well….
Always liked him. Gotta get healthy first, playing shape. Imo he’s going to be a quality PF. Still got upside.
Well, aren’t you just adorable…
Isaac, Banchero, F.Wagner, Bol, Carter is a pretty big lineup to contend with. Jalen Suggs needs to come around a little more along with Hampton, but Anthony & Fultz are doing pretty good. Magic could make a 2nd half run. Could easily bump Charlotte, or whoever is looking at 10th in the East.
Could easily bump Charlotte?
Do you follow basketball bro?
Quit trying to act like Charlotte and Orlando are the top 2, or bottom 2 teams in the East.
You really got me there, I can hardly face the day or my wife & children
Rumors are Bamba could be moved. I sure wouldn’t mind him in NY. I’m ready to move on from Mitch.
I’d move Bamba if I was Orlando. My reason is if I was to cut a player between Bamba, and Moritz Wagner, I’d cut Bamba. Bamba also deserves a little more opportunity at this point in his career, and the Magic have a full front court. Bamba could net a decent future 2nd, and a lesser player? Bamba may never catch big NBA minutes for any team, and they have what they need up front.
I respect him for going agaisnt the grain when no other NBA players do. With that being said, that doesn’t change the fact that hes a bum. He rarely ever plays. Don’t really care how injury prone you are, hes the definition of take the money and run
Hmm I find your comment hilarious coming from a Mets fan. Doesn’t every Mets player take the money and run? That organization hasn’t valued winning since Gooden snorted crack off Strawberry’s forehead.
@Krause Yes there have been many like Jed Lowrie, Yoenis Cespedes, Betances, etc. All are bums
Otto Porter says hi.
I wonder how long before he says/does something stupid to earn a Kyrie like suspension…
I wondered last off-season why the Heat didn’t sign Manba to replace Tucker and try to go big. I believed Bam could pull off the twin towers lineup. I figured Isaac made Mamba expendable.