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With a returning Jonathan Issac is it too little, too late for the Orlando Magic?

By Wesley Wilcox

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 7: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic grabs the rebound against the Miami Heat during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 7: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic grabs the rebound against the Miami Heat during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic’s season is nearing collapse as the team loses a schedule opportunity. Jonathan Isaac‘s return may change the energy.

Friday night, the Orlando Magic hoped to receive a shot in the arm. After missing two games with a concussion, Aaron Gordon was back in the lineup. He would provide the offensive punch and overall talent the team would need to break their losing skid and begin the long road up as the team slowly got healthier.

The Magic knew, despite sitting him against the Portland Trail Blazers, they were going to be whole very soon. Jonathan Isaac participated in his first practice and would soon return. Orlando opted to hold him out for one more game.

There was a fair amount of excitement for the rookie’s return. Everyone sensed he could help improve the team’s defense almost immediately. At the very least, he represented hope.

Orlando fell without him for the fourth time in five games, losing to the Blazers 95-88.

Aaron Gordon gave the Magic a spark that has been lacking for a brief time. But Orlando lost Gordon as quickly as they got him back. Gordon would leave with an apparent hamstring injury and miss Sunday’s game against the Detroit Pistons.

Isaac would make his return in that game, his first in 17 outings. He was admittedly rusty in his 16 minutes of play. He struggled to make shots and while he was aggressive on his drives, his timing was just a bit off. It was clear Isaac needed a bit more time to get himself healthy and fully right.

Slowly Isaac will get himself back into playing shape. His impact will become more apparent once he regains his rhythm.

But the Magic are now staring in the mirror. And it is the same mirror they have been staring into since the rebuild began: What do we do now? How do we pull ourselves out of this hole?

The Magic know their opportunity is now to make a Playoff push. Yet, they are more concerned with injuries and getting their rhythm back. They may not be able to take advantage of this soft spot in the schedule that features Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls, followed by games against the New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards and finally the Miami Heat before the new year.

With the Pistons and the Wizards being the only two top-tier teams in the next couple games, it is becoming crucial for coach Frank Vogel and company decide what they are going to do and get the team moving in the right direction.

Issac is now back from his lingering ankle injury. Arron Afflalo is also nearing a return to the lineup. Evan Fournier was back on the court doing a light workout before Sunday’s game.

With Nikola Vucevic playing some of the best basketball he has played for the Magic, he simply needs some help. Orlando needs some help to right this ship.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Early in the season, the Magic were able to dominate the paint because it consisted of Jonathan Isaac and Nikola Vucevic, and this opened the floor to the guards. The going has gotten tough here because it has become a chaotic, hot mess for the offense.

With Gordon’s consistency in averaging a career-best 18.4 points per game and Vucevic having a bit of a revival in averaging 17.7 points per game, the Magic were in a groove on both sides of the court. With the Magic losing Gordon to a concussion, and now a hamstring injury, the timing for Issac to return is huge for the teams free fall.

Prior to Issac’s injury, the Magic were an astounding 8-4 and had won four of their last six. The game against the Denver Nuggets would halt all momentum for Orlando as that would mark the beginning of their nine-game losing streak.

There seemed to be a correlation in the Magic’s collapse with Isaac’s injury. It certainly did not help the team’s bench. And more injuries have only compounded that problem.

After all the injuries, Vogel has had to make the best of an awful situation at the point guard position. Having little to no success for the Magic, the return of not only Jonathan Issac, but Arron Afflalo could introduce a new level of energy for Orlando.

As everyone has said for the past few weeks of it being now or never for this 2018 season it could not be stressed anymore at this point. The Magic heading into 2018 will play the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets and the stingy Milwaukee Bucks.

It can all but be assured the way Orlando is playing right now that all of those could be losses. That would mean the season is over before it ever had any real chance as blossoming.

This is the Magic’s opportunity to build some buffer and catch up. It is an opportunity the team is struggling to take advantage of.

Does Isaac’s return guarantee the Magic return to their dominant ways? Heck no.

But if there is anything Magic fans want, it is to be competitive. With a returning Issac, Orlando could not have gotten some help at a better time.

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Now they need the rookie to hit the ground running quickly and provide the boost they have been waiting for. They just have to hope it is not too late.