Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac could emerge as an x-factor in the bubble

Jonathan Isaac could be an x-factor for the Orlando Magic

As the Orlando Magic continue to prepare for the restart of the season, it’s now being reported that Jonathan Isaac will play in the team’s final exhibition scrimmage game Monday night.

It’s not known what type of role he’ll be expected to play in the scrimmage or if this means that he’ll also return when the Magic officially starts its seeding games Friday, but it’s certainly a positive development.

In 32 games played this season, Isaac averaged 12 points, seven rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game on 46 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from 3-point range. In this third season with the team, Isaac was beginning to show promise. However, an injury derailed the season for Isaac in January, before the league went into hiatus.

Jonathan Isaac’s health could be vital for the Magic

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Assuming that Isaac is fully healed from the knee injury he was nursing, he could bring an interesting element to the restart and specifically to the Magic. We don’t know how healthy Isaac is (though, you’d have to assume he’s 100 percent, considering that Orlando is willing to play him in the exhibition game) or how he’ll look when he makes his debut in the bubble, but the fact that he could be ready to play could give this team an x-factor that perhaps they didn’t think they would have heading into the restart.

The Magic are currently the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (0.5 games back of the Brooklyn Nets for the 7th seed). With the current situation the Nets find themselves in (roster-wise), you’d have to almost expect the Magic to enter the playoffs as the 7th seed.

In a potential first-round matchup with the Toronto Raptors, Isaac could be an x-factor for the magic. Not to say that he could turn the tide in the series, but he would give the Magic another talented defender to place on Pascal Siakam.

Again, there’s still plenty that has to fall in place between now and then. And we still need to see what shape Isaac is in when he makes his debut for the Magic. Still, there’s optimism for Jonathan Isaac to play some role for the Orlando Magic in a potential first-round playoff matchup.