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UPDATE: Shortly after the report from Woj, the Magic released this statement confirming the Isaac news.
JONATHAN ISAAC INJURY UPDATE#MagicAboveAll pic.twitter.com/wsJUo8Nof2
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) January 2, 2020
UPDATE: Jonathan Isaac has a severe knee sprain and bone contusion, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday evening. Isaac is expected to be re-evaluated in two months by the Magic. The good news is there was not structural damage to the ligaments in Isaac’s knee, per Woj.
An MRI on left knee of Orlando Magic F Jonathan Isaac shows a severe sprain and bone contusion and team plans to re-evaluate his status in approximately two months, league sources tell ESPN. Good news: There was no structural damage to ACL, MCL or PCL ligaments.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 2, 2020
So with Isaac sidelined a significant amount of time, we can make some waiver wire moves. Khem Birch played 26 minutes off the bench on Wednesday after Isaac left the game. In terms of the frontcourt, Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Wes Iwundu will likely start — though Gordon is sidelined due to a sore Achilles. If Gordon and Isaac are out, Birch should start at PF with Iwundu at SF. Birch is an OK waiver claim, though he lacks upside despite the increase in minutes.
Orlando Magic F Jonathan Isaac was stretchered to the locker room in Wednesday’s game vs. the Washington Wizards with an apparent knee injury.
The Magic announced Isaac sustained a hyper extended knee on the play, which is good news for everyone. He’ll still undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. Still, it seems it isn’t anything overly serious, but we’ll wait and see on the details.
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac suffered a hyperextended left knee during the first quarter tonight at Washington and will not return.
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) January 1, 2020
Isaac will undergo an MRI tomorrow upon the team’s return to Orlando and will then be re-evaluated.
Depending on the timeline for Isaac’s return, we should start thinking about replacements for him in our fantasy basketball lineups. We should see more Khem Birch off the bench as a PF replacement. He’s seeing more minutes tonight vs. the Wizards with Isaac ruled out for the rest of the game. Amile Jefferson and Mo Bamba should also see more frontcourt minutes, while the Magic may opt for smaller lineups featuring Terrence Ross and DJ Augustin with Evan Fournier, Wes Iwundu and Nikola Vucevic.