The Orlando Magic’s Friday ended on a excessive observe — a 117-106 highway win over the Charlotte Hornets — however they acquired unhealthy information all through the day.
First was the staff asserting that sixth-year ahead Jonathan Isaac had surgical procedure within the morning to restore a torn left adductor muscle (interior thigh) and can miss the rest of the common season.
More misfortune got here when second-year ahead Franz Wagner left Friday’s sport due to a sprained left ankle he suffered halfway by means of the second quarter.
The Magic (27-37) didn’t permit the unhealthy breaks to discourage them, selecting up a victory at Spectrum Center over the Hornets (20-45).
Rookie ahead Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 31 factors (13-of-26 capturing), 6 rebounds and 5 assists, together with 16 factors in a 3rd quarter throughout which the Magic took a 24-point lead.
The Hornets, led by Kelly Oubre Jr.’s 29 factors and 10 rebounds, didn’t go away simply. Charlotte lower Orlando’s result in 7 a number of instances, together with 107-100 with 4:24 remaining.
But the Magic by no means misplaced the benefit, closing out their highway journey 2-1.
Cole Anthony added 16 factors (6-of-10 capturing), 4 assists and three rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench.
Jalen Suggs, who began the second half instead of Wagner, had 15 factors and 5 rebounds in half-hour. Reserve huge man Moe Wagner added 13 factors, 6 rebounds and a couple of steals.
It wasn’t generally known as of Friday night what the standing of Franz Wagner (9 factors on 3-of-5 capturing in 14 minutes) can be for Sunday’s dwelling sport vs. the Portland Trail Blazers. X-rays on the ankle had been detrimental, that means that the x-ray didn’t present any harm. He’s missed simply three video games due to harm since being the No. 8 decide within the 2021 draft.
Isaac’s 2022-23 was lower brief lower than two months after making his long-awaited comeback.
He had an MRI on Wednesday, which revealed the harm, after he felt discomfort following Tuesday’s follow in Milwaukee.
Isaac was sidelined for 3 consecutive video games coming into Friday, being listed as out due to a strained proper hamstring/adductor.
He didn’t journey with the staff to New Orleans for Monday’s 101-93 win over the Pelicans, staying in Central Florida to endure additional evaluations.
Isaac rejoined the staff in Milwaukee Tuesday forward of Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Bucks and was listed as questionable for the matchup however was dominated out 3½ hours forward of tipoff.
The Magic had been working with an abundance of warning with Isaac after he was sidelined for 2½ years earlier than returning to the courtroom in late January.
Isaac was sidelined from August 2020 till Jan. 11 after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Aug. 2, 2020, in the course of the league’s restart in its Disney World bubble.
He had surgical procedure on the precise hamstring final March whereas rehabbing from the left knee harm.
Isaac made his return with the Magic’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic, earlier this 12 months and performed three video games for Lakeland earlier than making his return to Orlando within the Jan. 23 win over the Boston Celtics.
He’ll finish the season with averages of 5 factors, 4 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 11.3 minutes (11 video games).
“Our thoughts are with Jonathan, whose fortitude in dealing with adversity is unique,” Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman mentioned in a press release. “Jonathan has worked extremely hard to return to the court this season and has demonstrated his impact on our team. We will be by his side as he focuses on the work ahead.”
Isaac is within the second 12 months of a 4-year, $69.6 million contract he signed with Orlando in December 2020 — 4 months after his ACL harm.
Because he didn’t play final season, his $17.4 million salaries for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons are partially or non-guaranteed due to an Exhibit 3 (Prior Injury Exclusion) clause in his contract, according to ESPN.
He’s assured $7.4 million for 2023-24 (totally assured $17.4 million after Jan. 10, 2024) and has a non-guaranteed wage for 2024-25 (totally assured $17.4 million if he’s on the roster previous Jan. 10, 2025).
Isaac has struggled with lower-body accidents since being drafted with the No. 6 decide in 2017. He’s solely performed in 147 of 455 attainable regular-season video games.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com