Jonathan Isaac, forward for the Orlando Magic, played his first NBA game in over 900 days, in a 113-98 victory at home against the Boston Celtics on January 23, 2022. In 10 minutes, Isaac put up 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks. As Isaac came onto the court, "the sellout crowd of 19,196 inside the Amway Center showed its appreciation with a rousing ovation", ESPN wrote.
Isaac's story in the NBA has been very unusual. He was drafted 6th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft to the Magic. Through his first 136 games, he averaged 9.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 1.5 BPG. As the NBA was thrown into the infamous bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Isaac caught fire from the NBA world for not kneeling during the US National Anthem or joining teammates in wearing a "Black Lives Matter" T-shirt before a game in July 2020. As a result, Isaac would become controversial in the NBA. Over the next 2 years, Isaac would be stuck in a state of frequent injuries. Hoops Rumors writes, "Isaac initially tore his left ACL in August 2020, but during his recovery, he dealt with a setback and had to undergo an additional surgery, this time on his right hamstring, in March 2022."
On January 10, the Magic assigned Isaac to their Lakeland G-League affiliate team, where he played three games, averaging " 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 blocks in just over 17 minutes per game," per ESPN. He was finally cleared to return to the NBA court for the January 23 match against the Celtics.
Following the game, Isaac said, "There were days where I was like I don't know if I want to keep going. But then again, I have to thank Christ. Being able to go back to my faith and say God has me on this journey for a purpose. I know that I was made to play basketball. I was made to give glory to God on this stage."
Isaac, during his time with his injury, brought his ideas of faith and his relationship with the Christian religion public. According to CBS Sports, Isaac is an ordained minister and belongs to Jump Ministries Church in Orlando. Following his Black Lives Matter controversy during the NBA bubble, Isaac would publish a book entitled "Why I Stand", on May 17, 2022, about his faith and his controversial career. The news of Isaac's return to the floor was announced by his pastor, in a video clip being sent around the NBA media.
With Isaac missing two and a half years, he'd also return to the floor with a completely different Magic team than the one he helped bring to the playoffs years before. ESPN states, "The only Magic teammates still on the team who played in that game were Markelle Fultz, Terrence Ross and Mo Bamba. Neither Ross nor Bamba saw minutes Monday against Boston."
Isaac would be asked what it felt like to come back to the NBA, and he would respond, "Relief and peace. Peace like, 'God, you got me.' I appreciate it. He truly is faithful. I just want to thank Him. Because this night could have gone so many ways and for it to go the way it did, I appreciate Him for it. So there's a peace, a relief to it, so let's keep going."
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