The Orlando Magic had given up their lead with a 13-0 run, going scoreless for five minutes in the third quarter. They received the shots they wantedbut they did not enter and the The Sacramento Kings managed to run and build their lead.
The Magic couldn’t wait much longer. They probably waited too long to deploy their secret weapon.
Jonathan Isaac must have been in on this.
And as the Playoffs approach, it will be increasingly difficult to deny what Isaac brings to the team.
Entering the game to a standing ovation after a 17-point first half (with plenty of highlights to tell), Isaac checked in with 4:25 to play. The Magic would score the next seven points to erase their deficit. Isaac didn’t score in that sequence, but his energy was undeniable.
Orlando couldn’t play without Isaac for as long as he could. And being on the ground is really something meaningful.
“It means a lot,” Isaac said after Saturday’s loss. “The fans have been through a lot in terms of me as an individual on this team. Feeling what I’m feeling and being where I am right now and the whole team being where we are now. It’s nothing short of a blessing. I just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
He deserved this praise because it was very clear how much of an impact he had on the game. Whether that came from being available to the point of dunk for dump-offs and dunks or hitting a jumper difficult to fade along the baseline or hit corner threes.
Or just completely erase Domantas Sabonis at the edge.
Isaac was everywhere for the Magic. It was necessary for the team’s chances of winning.
Jonathan Isaac vs. SAC:
25 points
7 RECs
10-13 FG
3:00 p.m.
+27 +/- pic.twitter.com/X3xKJYOgzz– Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 24, 2024
He would play the next 10 minutes in the third quarter as the Magic went back and forth with the Kings. The Magic lost their narrow lead in the two minutes they were out in the fourth quarter.
Isaac finished with a career-high 25 points, making 10 of 13 shots and three of his four 3-pointers. He added seven rebounds, a steal and two blocks. Isaac was, as always, all over the field, continuing the big trends of this season.
On top of all that, he was +26 in the match. The Magic couldn’t stop him from falling. They couldn’t afford it.
“I thought he was great,” coach Jamahl Mosley said after Saturday’s loss. “I thought he did a great job defensively. Obviously finding areas on the court, they found him for wide open shots. He played with a level of intensity and energy that we had needed on both sides.”
Isaac burst into tears.
He’s averaging 10.2 points per game in 12 appearances since the All-Star Break, making 64.7 percent of his shots and 63.0 percent of his threes.
His defensive impact has hardly diminished either. The Magic have an incredible 100.6 defensive rating with Isaac on the floor (best among rotation players) and a team-high +13.6 net rating with Isaac on the floor.
Since the All-Star Break, the Magic have an offensive rating of 121.4, a defensive rating of 100.5 and a best net rating of 20.9 with Isaac on the floor. These stats may not fully reflect a player’s individual contributions, but they certainly say something.
The fact that Isaac started producing more offensively only added to his value. Everything started to come together.
“Honestly, I just try to play hard,” Isaac said after Saturday’s loss. “The ball was falling. I thought I had some open looks. Once they start falling you feel more comfortable and more confident. It’s just a trend for me overall, I feel more comfortable on the court and in my body and in my shooting, for sure. I just let it fly.
This comfort has allowed the Magic to expand its role much further.
They have spent the last few weeks using him as the team’s backup center, a role Isaac admitted he is still learning but is becoming more and more comfortable at. as he plays more. They have already shown their desire to get closer to him in the center – notably for the first time in the victory against the Minnesota Timberwolvesbut much more often now, including Saturday’s game against the Sacramento Kings.
Orlando continues to try to find ways to play him.
But he continues to recover from his litany of injuries. Isaac has played more than 20 minutes just seven times this season, four of which came after the All-Star Break. He is still working to regain his physical condition.
So the Magic know they need to spread him out throughout critical parts of the game and get the most out of him. Isaac and the Magic training staff always communicate when Isaac needs a recovery or maintenance day. He is still likely to miss two straight games as the team remains cautious.
But Isaac is better there. He said he felt less sore and tired the more he played. The Magic are aiming to peak as the Playoffs approach.
They know how important Isaac will be at the start of the Playoffs.
“I feel good,” Isaac said after Saturday’s loss. “I don’t even think about what will happen this summer, but I feel more comfortable and more confident. I catch my breath. I’m not sure what will happen with the next few minutes. When I’m on the ‘On the floor, I’m trying to play as hard as I can and push the limits of where I can go. And you just have to take it one day at a time and see where it goes. “
Isaac has more and more impact. His offense and shooting are starting to match his defense. This will only make it more valuable.
His teammates ask him to be more aggressive. And Isaac now has the confidence to keep shooting. They know games like the one he played Saturday are going to become more common. He is contributing more and more regularly to the team beyond its otherworldly defense.
Heading into the playoffs, Isaac is as important as any player. He’ll be the type of player who can change a game in the Magic’s favor (like he did in Saturday’s game).
Path to 50 wins 03/24/24. The Orlando Magic’s path to 50 wins. dark. Following
The Magic will have to get the most out of him. They will work to maximize its efforts and impact.
