Briscoe helped turn defense, season around

Isaiah Briscoe went from playing in relative obscurity in Estonia to playing a prominent role for the Magic during the franchise’s bounce-back season in 2018-19.

But as quickly as he rose in the Magic’s ranks, Briscoe caught an unfortunate break when a knee injury ended his season in March.

And although Briscoe wasn’t a part of the team during its first postseason appearance since 2012, he certainly was a big reason why the Magic got there.

Let’s take a closer look at Briscoe’s 2018-19 season.

39.

Games: Games started: Minutes:

0. per game.

Per-game averages:

3.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 turnovers.

.399 FG%, .324 3P%, .577 FT%.

He signed a three-year minimum salary contract in July 2018 but was waived in April so Michael CarterWilliams could be eligible for the playoffs.

The contributions from Briscoe, who spent a season playing in Estonia before the Magic signed him, weren’t always seen on the stat sheets. Magic coach Steve Clifford liked Briscoe’s toughness, physicality and his ability to add pace to the offense when he entered the game.

The Magic posted a 100.7 pace with Briscoe on the floor, up from their 98.7 season average.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Briscoe also used his strength to beat defenders off the dribble.

“There’s two things [about Briscoe]. The penetration part and then also he plays with such pace,”

Shooting figures: Contract status: The Buzz:

14.3 Clifford said this season. “We play quicker and we get more chances to get to the basket before the defense gets set. He’s physical …. makes contact plays. He likes to compete … that’s contagious.”

Briscoe arguably was playing his best basketball of the season when he tore the meniscus in his right knee Feb. 22 against the Bulls. In the nine-game stretch that ended with the loss to the Bulls, the Magic were 7-2, with Briscoe averaging 3.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in that stretch.

He played four more games with the knee injury, with his last contest coming March 5 when he played 28 minutes in a loss to the 76ers.

The defensive end is where Briscoe made the biggest impact. For the season, the Magic put up a 100.6 defensive rating with him on the floor. For his 13 games from Jan. 30 until March 5, Briscoe posted a defensive rating of 97.0.

The Magic were among the NBA’s best defensive teams over the final 30 games of the regular season and Briscoe helped start that shift. The improved defense fueled the Magic’s 22-9 mark over their last 31 contests that got them into the playoffs.

Being waived in April cost Briscoe the protection of his original multi-year contract with the Magic. So he essentially is starting over. While 39 games is a small sample size to gauge a rookie season, Briscoe certainly took advantage of his playing time. The Magic likely won’t have to pay a premium to bring him back.

The future: