Orlando Magic are getting closer to being healthy

The biggest question everyone asks about the Orlando Magic inevitably turns to the health of several players on the team’s roster.

What is Jonathan Isaac‘s status? When will Jalen Suggs return? What is keeping Markelle Fultz from returning to the court? Why are there still a “usual five” players out with injury?

As we prepare to write our questions looking ahead to the third quarter of the season — as we do at every quarter mark of the season — when these players will return will play a big role. They played a big role when we asked our questions ahead of the team’s second quarter of the season.

Those calls obviously went unanswered. At least during the last 20-plus games.

The Orlando Magic have been mired in injuries to start their season. They seem to be getting closer to health as the second half of the season begins.

Magic fans have been pretty accepting of the team’s rebuild and understanding of the team’s league-worst record to this point in the season.

But the one thing that has gotten under their skin is the lack of information when it comes to the progress and return of these injured players — especially Isaac and Fultz, who have both missed the entire season to this point recovering from torn ACLs.

As the Magic move into the second half of their season, they are getting closer to getting a fully healthy roster for the first time this season. Even if it is by fits and starts.

The good news seems around the corner.

Coach Jamahl Mosley said guard Jalen Suggs practiced with the team Tuesday, marking the first time the rookie guard joined the team on the court since fracturing a bone in his right thumb in late November. Suggs has missed the last 19 games with that injury, halting his progress in his rookie year.

There is no set return date for Suggs. But he is clearly making enough progress to return to the floor.

Mosley said the team would continue to see how he reacts to passing and dribbling drills before making a determination for his return. But it could very well come by the end of this three-game road trip this weekend.

In the meantime, the rookie guard has done a lot of work watching and engaging with the game on the sideline as much as he can. He has also worked on his body and improving his strength as much as he can without stepping onto the court.

"“He’s used the time sitting with the coaches, studying film, understanding things on the sideline,” Mosley said after practice Tuesday. “You will see him sometimes get up and throw suggestions and things that he sees. I think that’s fantastic that our guys are so engaged with one another that they are understanding what we are asking them to do.”"

Only time will tell how quickly Suggs can get back on the floor and get back into rhythm.

Suggs was playing his best basketball right before his injury. And the Magic have had to stop the development of one of their most promising young players awaiting recovery from this injury.

He will return to the court very soon.

So will Fultz as he continues to practice with the Magic. He was in health and safety protocols for a few days last week, but he has also been practicing with the Lakeland Magic. His return seems imminent.

The Orlando Magic start a five-game homestand on Jan. 21 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Fans are eyeing this 11-day period at home before the team starts its final West Coast road trip. That seems like a good time to bring an injured player back and check in on him with practice days in between.

The bigger mystery remains Isaac.

Isaac was injured in August 2020 while in the bubble. And there has been very little word about his recovery and even what he has been able to do on the court in the meantime. Nobody knows just how close he might be to returning.

Magic general manager John Hammond though provided the clearest indication of his return on an appearance with Mike Bianchi on Open Mike on 96.9 The Game.

"“I think with Markelle, he’ll be first,” Hammond said Tuesday morning. “There is no question whatsoever about that. I think he’s fairly close. What that means? I don’t know if that means a couple of weeks out or a little bit beyond that. Maybe hopefully, Markelle will be back. Jonathan will just continue to follow up his progress. He looks great.“It’s so hard. Over the years watching these guys go through this rehab. You watch them and if you walked in the gym, you would probably stand next to me and say he’s ready to go. He looks like he is ready to go. To the layman’s eyes and my eyes as same as yours, I agree. I think he looks ready to go. The medical group has a lot of testing and tendencies they are looking at. They want to make sure he’s exactly right before putting him out there.”"

The Magic continue not to put timelines on anyone’s return. So everyone’s best guesses on any of these players’ returns could very well be wrong.

But that is at least some kind of update on these players. And it is the first time there has been any concrete word on a players’ recovery from someone official within the organization.

That may not satisfy everyone as these players continue to work through their recovery process. But it is something.

What should be clear is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. And all these concerns and questions about the Magic’s roster will get answered soon.

Orlando may finally be healthy sooner than later. And that will help the team evaluate the roster they have and improve internally the way they want.