Isaac might play in Lakeland
When Orlando Magic rookie
makes his long-awaited return, he might play first for the Magic’s G-League affiliate in Lakeland.
Isaac hasn’t played since Dec. 26 because his right ankle never fully healed from a sprain he suffered Nov. 11.
Eager to stop their prized forward from yo-yoing in and out of the lineup, team officials decided to hold him out indefinitely to ensure his ankle healed and to help him regain the conditioning he lost while he couldn’t run.
Isaac has practiced with the Magic since Feb. 2, and if he has no unforeseen setbacks, he’ll begin playing in games again at some point after the All-Star break.
“It’s going to be predicated on the practices that we have coming out of the break, how he looks, how he feels, how his conditioning is,” coach
said. “There’s a possibility that he plays in the G-League for a couple of games to help get his games under him.”
The Lakeland Magic have home games scheduled on Feb. 21, Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 and a road game scheduled on Feb. 26.
Isaac said Wednesday playing for Lakeland.
“I think that would be great,” Isaac said. “They said I’d be on a minute restriction thing — in-and-out. I think it’d be great to really get back to who I am, being able to play and hoop.”
Isaac has played 15 games for Orlando this season, and he made his he’d enjoy primary impact on defense.
On Wednesday, he missed his 22nd consecutive game when the Magic hosted the Charlotte Hornets at Amway Center.
Isaac has received some support in recent weeks from Magic teammates and also from Hornets rookie
who played alongside Isaac at Florida State during the 2016-17 college season.
Wednesday was a special night for Bacon, a 6-foot-7 swingman.
Bacon grew up in Lakeland, and Wednesday’s game was his first NBA regular-season game so close to his hometown.
“I put in the work, and here I am,” Bacon said.
The Hornets overall in June.
Bacon has played sparingly recently because the Hornets have relied on veterans as they’ve attempted to return to playoff contention. But Hornets coach said Bacon is an intriguing prospect.
“I think that he has a chance to be a starter,” Clifford said. “For me to say that about a rookie is a big statement. His problem here is just that he has veteran guys ahead of him who are playing very well. But he started games for us. He did a good job for us. He is what the NBA is all about now. He has versatility. He can shoot the ball, drive the ball. He can defend multiple positions. drafted Bacon 40th He’s a really good competitor and he’s worked really hard.”
Bacon said he and Isaac intend to visit Tallahassee during the All-Star break.
There, they’ll attend FSU’s home game Sunday against Pitt.
Clifford missed 21 games earlier this season after sleep deprivation caused debilitating headaches.
Clifford, who spent five seasons as a Magic assistant coach under
said he’s feeling much better now.
“It was not life-changing, but it’s impacted me a great deal,” Clifford said. “I said [to doctors], ‘I know I have to do my job differently.’ The neurologist’s line was, ‘No, no you have to differently.’ As you get older, your body can’t function on a daily basis without necessary sleep.”
Clifford receives regular help and guidance from sleep specialists.
“What I’m still trying to do is train my body to sleep more,” he said. “I’m up to now where I can sleep almost six hours straight, which is a long way from where I was a few weeks ago, and I feel much, much better. The one thing I would say is as you get older, you have to listen to your body and you have to use the doctors. Modern medicine is a great thing if you use it. That’s what I learned.”