Magic limiting Isaac in recovery from ‘mild’ ankle sprain

MIAMI — Magic secondyear forward Jonathan Isaac continues to be monitored by the team after suffering a “mild” ankle sprain a week ago in the preseason opener at Philadelphia.

Isaac was held out of his second game Monday night at Miami, but coach Steve Clifford said if he continues to make strides through Tuesday’s practice, he could see action Wednesday when the Magic host the Memphis Grizzlies during the team’s fourth preseason game.

“He did some of the contact yesterday and he felt good this morning,” Clifford said of Sunday’s practice. “He did a lot of the offensive part of [Monday’s shootaround] and said he feels good. … Hopefully by Wednesday he might be able to play.”

Three other players also sat out Monday night — Terrence Ross (foot), Jonathon Simmons (wrist) and Timofey Mozgov (dislocated finger). against Philly. “I’m good. I’m just taking the proper precautions.”

Ross said it felt good to get into the flow of things at Philadelphia, and he came off the bench firing away, hitting a leaning 3-pointer and then draining another trey later in the same quarter.

“Right at ’em, that’s how you have to play. Right out of the gate,” Ross said. “It was good. It was nice to get back into a rhythm, get into my groove and hit some shots, so it felt good.”

Jonathon Simmons, a forward who had wrist surgery in April and was brought along slowly during the offseason and preseason camp, saw 20 minutes of action Friday night in the Magic win over Flamengo Brazil. He scored six points and had no rebounds, but his biggest contribution may have been helping rookie Mohamed Bamba during his time together on the floor with the young 7-footer.

“I just told him stuff we talk about on a daily basis as a team, making sure he’s in the right spot and just talking to him, you know, as a vet to a rookie,” Simmons.

The Magic are expecting big contributions from the fifth-year pro, and he said he’s excited to contribute.

“It’s basketball, you know, and anybody wants to be a key part of a team in this league,” Simmons said. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity the coaches have given me and there is still a lot of working to do.”

Mostly he’s just glad to be back on the floor after last season’s injury issues.

“It feels good to be up and down the court,” he said. “I really hadn’t played organized basketball since March, so it’s definitely a good feeling.”