The Orlando Magic were dealt a brutal loss during Sunday’s win over the Sacramento Kings after forward Jonathan Isaac went down with a non-contact knee injury. According to a release from the Magic, Isaac has suffered a torn ACL in the same left knee that he injured earlier in the season.
This was only Isaac’s third game back but now he is forced to deal with a much more serious knee injury. A torn ACL is known as one of the toughest knee injuries to recover from and with the NBA year going on much longer than what the league is accustomed to, this could seriously pose a risk to Isaac’s health status for next season as well.
The Magic are currently clinging to the seventh spot out East with a half-game lead over the Brooklyn Nets. Isaac was a major part of their talented frontcourt which also features forward Aaron Gordon and veteran center Nikola Vucevic. Though not having Isaac will hurt them for the remainder of their time in the bubble, it could be even more detrimental to the team’s long-term growth.
Still only 22 years old, Isaac should be able to make a full recovery but it could cost him a whole NBA season. Isaac has developed into a terrific two-way player through his first three seasons and is an integral part of Orlando’s future.
