ORLANDO, FLA- For the last two and a half years or 891 days, Orlando Magic Forward Jonathan Isaac has underwent several rehabilitation programs in preparation for a long-awaited return to the basketball court. On January 11th, Isaac made that goal become a reality, playing in his first professional basketball game since the 2020 NBA Bubble for the Lakeland Magic, Orlando’s G-League Affiliate Team. In reference to this, Isaac looked superb in his return, recording 15 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block on 6-12 (50.0%) shooting from the field in 15 minutes, leading Lakeland to a 129-117 win over the Westchester Knicks.
“I’m not going to look at it too deep because it is my first game back,” Isaac said. “I’m glad I got a couple buckets to fall, but really it was just for my conditioning. I definitely got tired, so that’s something I’ve got to keep working on to have the impact that I want to.”
In Isaac’s 15 minutes of action, the 6’10”, 230-pound forward played without any knee brace or any visual signs of leg support, a remarkable feat considering Isaac’s last few years. During Orlando’s matchup versus Sacramento in the NBA Bubble on August 2nd, 2020, Isaac tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. As a result, Isaac was sidelined for the entirety of the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 NBA seasons, and endured multiple surgical procedures on his lower body, including a surgical procedure on his right hamstring just ten months ago.
With the previous mention of Isaac’s injury-plagued lower body, his G-League Debut was especially encouraging in regard to his movements. Throughout the game versus Westchester, Isaac sprinted to his spots on defense with ease, showed aggression while driving to the basket, and was more than willing to absorb and take contact on the defensive end of the floor. Simply put, Isaac didn’t look like he had missed two and a half years due to a severe injury, showcasing a unique two-way playstyle that made him so intriguing as a draft prospect.
Due to his immense size and physique, Orlando decided to select Isaac with the No. 6 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, and quickly showcased his effective play during his first few seasons in the NBA. In 136 career games from 2017-2020, Isaac averaged 25.8 MPG, 9.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.5 BPG while shooting 43.5% from the field and 33.0% from three-point range. Furthermore, Isaac’s supreme length and positional versatility have made Isaac a top-tier defender, as Isaac has totaled 145 steals and 206 blocks in the NBA so far, which is highlighted by a career-high 98 blocks during the 2018-2019 season.
“There’s honestly nothing like the game,” Isaac said. “We can try to kind of muck it up with players, assistants, and coaches, but it’s not the same. Just to get out there and feel the hardwood and let it all sink in, it felt really good.”
Following his stellar debut with Lakeland, Isaac admitted he didn’t know what the next step would be, or when in his journey.
“One, it’s about how I feel,” Isaac told ESPN. “I’ll talk to the training staff about what we’re going to do. I’m glad I got this one under my belt. Whether I play another [G League game] or not, I’m just excited to be moving forward.
As of January Twelfth, it is not clear whether Isaac will play a second game in the G-League for Lakeland, or not. For reference, Lakeland has home games scheduled on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, but Lakeland won’t rush Isaac to participate in a back-to-back this early in his recovery. Meanwhile, Orlando will return home from their five-game road trip ahead of their game against New Orleans on January 20th.
ESPN Sources: After missing two and a half seasons rehabilitating a severe left knee injury, Orlando Magic F Jonathan Isaac will play a game for the franchise’s G League affiliate on Wednesday, a step toward an NBA return that’s expected to come in near future.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 10, 2023
Great post