After missing 2 years, Magic's Jonathan Isaac provides spark in return

After being sidelined for nearlytwo-and-a-half years – 904 days to be exact – due to a torn ACL,Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac made his return on Mondayagainst the Boston Celtics.

Isaac looked excellent inOrlando's 113-98 win, finishing with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2steals and an assist in 10 minutes – while shooting 4-of-7 from thefield and 2-of-3 from three-point range.

Isaac was on a minutesrestriction, but made the most of his playing time. From the momenthe checked in, he made his presence felt by knocking down jumpersand guarding both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The former No. 6 overall pickprovided a ton of energy and activity – even diving for a looseball at one point – and he didn’t hesitate when given opportunitiesto shoot. The fans gave him a huge ovation when he first checkedin, and they went nuts every time he made a play.

His best sequence came late inthe third quarter, when he knocked down a three-pointer and thenstole the ball from Brown to create a fastbreak dunk for PaoloBanchero.

Jonathan Isaac THREE + STEAL + POWER SLAMPAOLOthat's 10 PTS + 3 REB + 2 STL + 2 3PM in 9 MINThe Magic are so back pic.twitter.com/le25Znnmy1

— Beyond the RK (@beyondtheRK) January 24, 2023

Isaac initially tore his leftACL on Aug. 2, 2020, when Orlando was competing in the NBA Bubbleat Walt Disney World. Isaac suffered numerous setbacks – and evenneeded a separate surgery on his right hamstring at one point –causing him to miss the last two seasons entirely.

"It’s been such a long road," Isaac said after the win. "[I was]thinking about all that it has taken to get here – the tough days,the good days, the bad days, the ups-and-downs, and all of thepeople that were a part of getting me back. The training staff, wecall them the purple people eaters, but our coaches that workedwith me tirelessly – Nate Tibbetts and all of those guys. And thenjust my family, my church family, my faith that I have beenfortunate enough to lean on this entire time. I wouldn’t be here[without] all of that. Much love to the Magic for sticking with me,and the Magic fans that were excited. Just trying to bottle all ofthat up in one moment, it was surreal.”

To put Isaac’s missed time inperspective, consider this: the last time he appeared in an NBAgame, Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball had yet to be drafted. Also,the movie "Tenet" hadn't come out yet. The Magic looked verydifferent back then too; the only players remaining on the rosterfrom when Isaac suffered his injury are Markelle Fultz, TerrenceRoss and Mo Bamba.

Now, the Magic are one of theyoungest teams in the NBA and they’ve assembled a talented corethat includes Banchero, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Bol Bol,Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony and Fultz. Since Isaac is only 25 yearsold and still has plenty of untapped potential, the former No. 6overall pick should fit right in with Orlando goingforward.

“We’ve been waiting for J.I. toget back and it’s been a long process, but he had to take his timeand listen to his body,” Banchero told Basketball News. “I’m happyfor him that he’s finally able to come back and just receive thelove that he deserves. These fans have been waiting to see him, soeverybody is really excited. This is probably the healthiest we’vebeen all year.”