3. Injury to Jonathan Isaac
Jonathan Isaac has not been seen since suffering a bad knee sprain against the Wizards on New Year’s Day. Given how serious the injury looked in the moment, it is a positive that it was nothing worse than a bad sprain. With the games getting closer, Isaac is clearly feeling good and is eager to play if possible. As he told NBA.com recently;
"“I’m optimistic. I have no reservations in my mind about (a potential return). If I’m ready to play and if I get the clearance, I’m ready to go. That’s pretty much where I’m at. We’re taking it day by day. I’m listening to our front office and the guys that are working with me each day to get there. So, I’m just taking it one day at a time. But I feel good. I’m getting there.”"
It makes sense that Isaac would want to come back this season if possible, and it would be a real boost to the Magic if that was the case. But there is zero need to rush him, even if the forced stoppage of the season means that he is naturally a lot closer to being ready to go again than he would have been.
It was presumed he would miss the rest of the season, but once the dates were moved around, Isaac angling to make a return was always a possibility. But there would be nothing worse than getting him back out there, only for him to re-aggravate the knee sprain, or worse yet do something else to his body.
Jonathan Isaac’s ON/OFF in games he played
— Beyond the RK (@beyondtheRK) July 12, 2020
(via PBP Stats, as of 12/31)
with J.I. OFF, The Magic have a -5.94 Net RTG
(637 MIN)
with J.I. ON, The Magic have a +0.41 Net RTG
(947 MIN)
with J.I. and Fultz ON, The Magic have a +1.51 Net RTG
(657 MIN)https://t.co/iuHyCCHg92
Isaac is clearly a cornerstone for the Magic’s future, but after three seasons he has now had two leg injuries that have kept him out in the medium to long term (played only 27 games his rookie campaign, starting 10 of them). Given that he is basically a seven-footer, having this happen a couple of times already when he is only 23 years old means he needs to be monitored.
The Magic may catch the Nets for the seventh seed, setting up a potential playoffs rematch with the Toronto Raptors in the process. Whether it is last year’s opponents or the Milwaukee Bucks, the current top seed, the Magic are unlikely to get beyond the first round of the postseason. With or without Isaac. They should keep this in mind when considering whether to play him or not.