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Jonathan Isaac held out one more game, hoping to fit back in Friday

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 30: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic looks on during the game against the Miami Heat on December 30, 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 - DECEMBER 30: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic looks on during the game against the Miami Heat on December 30, 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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Jonathan Isaac was held out one more game Wednesday as the Orlando Magic look to fit him back in Friday ahead of their West Coast trip.

Jonathan Isaac expects to be nervous when he finally retakes the court in an Orlando Magic uniform Friday.

When that happens, it will be the first time Isaac steps on a NBA floor since December 28. That is quite a long time as Isaac has played in just 15 of the Magic’s 61 games.

The one thing Isaac expects to do right this time is to remember to wear his jersey to the floor, as he forgot to do on opening night back in October.

When Isaac finally steps on the floor Friday against the Detroit Pistons, it will feel something like an opening night. He was on pace to play for the first time Wednesday, but the training staff opted to hold him out one more game to make sure he regains his full strength.

Isaac said there were no setbacks or problems with the troublesome ankle. But the team wanted to keep him out one more game as a precaution. A last day of rest before he began the grind of the season again.

"“He’s not going to play tonight,” coach Frank Vogel said before Wednesday’s game. “They’re going to hold him out one more game and see how he feels tomorrow. Just doing what the medical team asks me. They would prefer he has another day. It’s not about a setback or soreness. They just asked for another day.”"

That kind of message could frustrate anyone. Especially considering Isaac has missed so much time and been out for so long.

He has approached everything with a positive attitude as he usually does. But it is also clear Isaac is eager to get back on the floor with his teammates in Orlando.

He played a pair of games with the Lakeland Magic last weekend in the G-League. That helped work out some of the nerves and some of the rust from his game. He was strong defensively as he got his timing back. His offense still needed some rhythm.

Isaac said once he got through that initial burst, he felt more comfortable. He will surely get that initial burst again when he hits a NBA floor again Friday.

"“Just play,” Isaac said of what he expects hitting the floor again. “Just get out there and do what I do. Play hard and honestly just see what happens. I think I’m going to surprise myself if I just go out there and play basketball.”"

Indeed Isaac just wants to get out there and play.

He said the biometric data the Magic staff shared with him said he was back physically to where he was before the injury. Isaac previously reported he gained 10 pounds of muscle from weight training while he was hurt. The time away from the court was not wasted.

But ultimately, Isaac will not get better until he gets out on the court and is able to get experience. There is no substitute for that.

The expectations will remain relatively meager.

Orlando is not looking for him to play with a 30-percent usage rate and average 20 points per game. The team just wants him to do what he naturally does and improve with experience.

The Magic are as curious as everyone else to see what Isaac can do.

"“I want to see what he can do on the defensive end,” Vogel said. “We know what his instincts bring to the table. He’s got to make sure he is following all his assignments out there and understanding personnel and player tendencies.“Offensively, we want him to play within himself, which he does naturally. We want him to be aggressive. We don’t want him to be passive. The model for me with young players has always been earning minutes on the defensive end, play within yourself offensively and don’t turn the ball over, knock down open shots and don’t force.”"

Before his injury, Isaac had certainly earned his playing time with his strong defense. Vogel said Isaac might be the Magic’s best perimeter defender when he is fully healthy. Even as a rookie.

To be sure, Isaac will get playing time when he returns. Orlando is going to let him get comfortable on the court again.

Magic fans just had to wait a little bit longer for it to happen. It did not happen Wednesday.

Next: Frank Vogel aware of coming roster crunch

Come Friday, it looks like Isaac will be ready to go and ready to step on the court again finally. And ready to fit in and get his career restarted.