Jonathan Isaac happy for the reps in G-League

Jonathan Isaac took a step closer to returning to the Orlando Magic this weekend, playing two games in the G-League. He was happy to get back on the court.

There were moments of brilliance mixed in with moments of clear rust in Jonathan Isaac’s second G-League outing.

If his first game was about just getting his feet wet and playing competitive basketball again, his second game had to be more about finding that comfort and playing with more aggression.

In one quick instant, it was clear to see just what the Orlando Magic see in their talented rookie.

Isaac caught the ball in the low post early in the fourth quarter and immediately faced a double team. Coming off an injury and still getting his timing back, it would have been easy to give into that pressure. Isaac patiently waited and surveyed the defense. He did not force anything.

Instead, Isaac backed out toward the 3-point line. The double team went away. He then pulled up for a jumper.

Swish.

That and a steal and dunk early in the game were all signs Isaac is ready to go and play with the Magic once again.

Things were not all good for Isaac, of course. He still clearly looked like a player who has not played games in two months and has played sparingly in three months. His timing and his rhythm are still far from set.

After that masterful move on the low block, Isaac tried a turnaround fadeaway which K.J. McDaniels promptly blocked. The lift was not there for him. And in the fourth quarter, as the Lakeland Magic were within four points of the Grand Rapids Drive at the RP Funding Center, Isaac struggled.

Isaac committed five fourth-quarter turnovers as the Magic were unable to complete a 21-point comeback in the second half in a 102-93 loss Saturday. Isaac’s final stat line was a relatively meager eight points on 3-for-8 shooting. He added three rebounds.

Magic two-way player Jamel Artis scored 30 for the Lakeland Magic in defeat.

Isaac finished his two-game stint in the G-League with 14 total points on 5-for-14 shooting. That is probably not the most encouraging stat line. But no one should be too worried. These starts were about getting Isaac on the floor and getting him back playing again.

That was the message Isaac wanted. He told Josh Cohen of OrlandoMagic.com he feels he is physically 100 percent, echoing what he said before the All-Star Break. Now he just has to get his conditioning and game timing back.

"“I think it’s great, just getting back into things,” Isaac told OrlandoMagic.com. “I don’t take this time that I’m here for granted. I can still see I’m rusty. I missed some reads and stuff like that on defense and not being 100 percent there. Definitely will take this time for what it is.”"

The Magic expected most of this. Orlando has high expectations for Isaac on the defensive end and recognizes his offense will take some time to develop. Especially considering the time he missed.

Indeed, it looked like Isaac was a bit passive offensively, not wanting to disrupt too much of what the Lakeland Magic already have going on. He was noticeably more assertive in Saturday’s second outing over Friday’s G-League debut.

Isaac is expected to rejoin the Magic on Sunday. He will at least be in Oklahoma City for Monday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It is unclear whether Isaac would be clear to play with the Magic in that game. The odds seem unlikely. Orlando has taken things very slowly with Isaac and his recovery from this ankle injury.

Next: Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon return to knock off the rust

But now that Isaac has been on a competitive basketball floor again, it does not seem like it will be long before he is back on the court in a Magic uniform for good.