Jonathan Isaac suffers torn ACL

The Orlando Magic confirmed the worst fears regarding Jonathan Isaac’s knee injury.

Isaac has suffered a torn ACL.

Isaac suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Magic’s blowout win over the Kings. As he drove the lane, the heavily-braced knee that Isaac spent months rehabbing following his initial injury on New Year’s Day, buckled and he collapsed to the court, grimacing in pain. Isaac was taken off the court in a wheelchair as concerned teammates looked on.

“It was tough seeing it, knowing what he’s been through and knowing the work that he put in to get back out here,” Markelle Fultz told reporters after the game. “I immediately, when he went down, I just started to pray for him. We’re hoping everything works out the best for him. He’s such a good guy and worked extremely hard to get out there. The whole gym went quiet when it happened. So, it was a lot of sadness and we’re praying for the best.”

Being that there was no contact on the injury, and that Isaac instantly grabbed for his rehabbed knee while falling to the court, concerns of a torn ACL were immediate.

After Isaac suffered the initial severe knee sprain on Jan. 1, the Magic elected to treat the injury primarily through rest and rehab. Isaac missed 31 games while working his way back. The NBA’s four-month hiatus enabled Isaac to return to the court during the restart, and when he did, he instantly showed why he is considered to be arguably the most valuable piece in the Magic’s young core.

But his return lasted a total of just 38 minutes spread over one scrimmage and two seeding games.

The Magic did not announce a timetable for Isaac’s return. Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman and head coach Steve Clifford are scheduled to speak with the media Monday afternoon.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said that the timing of the injury, along with the lengthy rehab awaiting Isaac, threatens Isaac’s availability for the 2020-2021 season.

It’s a crushing blow for a Magic team off to an impressive 2-0 start in the restart. But more devastating for Isaac, who was in the midst of a breakout season and worked tirelessly to comeback only for the worst case scenario to unfold.

Wishing JI a speedy recovery.