Magic 122, Wizards 101: Magic overcome loss of Jonathan Isaac to beat Wizards

The Magic overcame the loss of one of their most valuable players to get a much-needed win.

Jonathan Isaac suffered a knee injury just two minutes into the game and had to be removed from the court on a stretcher. While attempting a Euro step in the paint, Isaac’s foot planted awkwardly and he fell to the court in pain. The Magic later announced that Isaac suffered a hyperextended left knee and will undergo an MRI on Thursday in Orlando.

The shorthanded Magic, already without Aaron Gordon (Achilles) and Al-Farouq Aminu (knee), persevered and came away with a 122-101 win over the Wizards.

In the first quarter, the Magic made 5 of 8 three-point attempts, and shot 46.4 percent overall to take a 31-29 lead. Vucevic scored 10 points in the quarter, including a three that put Orlando in front 20-11 with 5:12 to go.

Augustin had 11 points and Ross added eight in the second quarter. Each finished the half with 13 points, and helped Orlando shoot 45 percent, to help the Magic take a 62-58 lead into the break.

A 9-0 run by the Magic in the third increased the Magic lead to 79-65 with 6:24 left in the quarter. Then came the highlight of the game when Markelle Fultz stole the ball and made an around-the-back pass downcourt to Evan Fournier, who got his first dunk of the season...

The Magic lead reached 16 on a dunk by Ross that made it 90-74. Augustin later shed a defender with a pretty crossover and completed an acrobatic three-point play late in the third, helping to send the Magic into the fourth with a 94-83 lead.

Augustin scored the first six points of the fourth and the Magic lead continued to grow. Augustin finished with a game-high 25 points on 7-for-15 shooting (9 of 10 FT) and also had nine assists. Great night all around for the Magic point guard duo, who combined for 17 assists and just two turnovers. Fultz had 16 points and eight assists while playing in his hometown. Fultz has averaged 18.3 points in three games against the Wizards this season, all of which have been Magic victories.

Vucevic had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Fournier had 18 points and four rebounds, and Ross added 15 points for the Magic, who shot 47.4 percent. Wes Iwundu, starting in place of Gordon, had a season high-10 points

With the injuries in the Magic frontcourt, Amile Jefferson (13 minutes) and Melvin Frazier Jr. (12 minutes) both saw extended playing time with each setting a season-high in minutes played.

Beal scored 20 of his 27 points in the first half to lead the Wizards, who entered with the league’s fourth best offensive rating at 111.9 points per. The Magic limited the Wizards to 37.9 shooting.

Coming off Monday’s inexcusable loss to the now 7-27 Hawks, it was encouraging to see the shorthanded Magic easily handle an opponent they were expected to beat. The Magic now await word on the severity of Isaac’s injury. Best case, the stretcher was for precautionary reasons and the hyperextended knee caused no structural damage. Hoping for the best.

The Magic return home for a four-game homestand, beginning with challenging back-to-back as they host the Heat on Friday and the Jazz on Saturday.