Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

The Orlando Magic failed to answer their questions for the second quarter

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHICAGO, USA - DECEMBER 20: Nikola Vucevic (9) of Orlando Magic in action during an NBA basketball match between Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, United States on December 20, 2017. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, USA - DECEMBER 20: Nikola Vucevic (9) of Orlando Magic in action during an NBA basketball match between Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, United States on December 20, 2017. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 17: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic warms up prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 17, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

What is Jonathan Isaac’s real impact?

Back at the quarter pole of the season, Jonathan Isaac had missed his first eight games and everyone was hopeful his return was incoming.

He made a clear defensive impact statistically and the young player needed the time to grow. In the first quarter of the season, the Magic had a strong defensive rating with him on the floor. He was one of the few players with a positive net rating while he was on the floor.

But Isaac never came back. Not really. He has played in just three games since his ankle injury Nov. 11. And now he is shut down indefinitely as the Magic try to figure out how best to help him recover from his sprained ankle. At this point, the Magic just want to see him get back on the court.

Isaac certainly did not look right in his short sting back. He was moving a bit gingerly. And by the time he played his last game, it was clear he was still limping. It made everyone rightfully think that maybe this injury was worse than a sprained ankle.

The losing this season would be a little more palatable if the team could use it developing a player who is clearly part of the team’s future.

As a reminder, the Magic have a -3.3 net rating with Isaac on the floor, including a 101.4 defensive rating. That number got seriously weighed down by his three-game stint that was not good. Before the injury, Isaac had a +0.3 net rating and a 99.7 defensive rating with Isaac on the floor.

That is something the Magic are certainly missing. There is no sense when Isaac could come back. Recently coach Frank Vogel said Jonathan Isaac (and the other injured Magic players) were still far off from returning. For now, the Magic just have to wait.