ORLANDO, Fla. — Jonathan Isaac is the Orlando Magic’s longest-tenured player.

He has been through it all since the Magic drafted him No. 6 overall in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft — all the team’s ups and downs and many injury challenges of his own.

What You Need To Know

  •  Jonathan Isaac says his goal this season is to play in all 82 regular-season Magic games

  •  He played in 71 games last year, the most since his second season in the NBA

  •  The forward said he notices a different energy with this year’s team.

Early in his career, Isaac showed flashes of what he could be, menacing opponents on defense and averaging as much as 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game during the 2019-20 season.

Then he suffered a catastrophic knee injury in 2020 and missed back-to-back seasons rehabbing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. When he finally got back on the court, he got hurt again, playing in just 11 games in the 2022-23 season.

“I’d say the biggest way is just through Christ — using my relationship with him as a basis of who I am. My identity — that’s not found in basketball but found in Him — helps me kind of skate above circumstances,” Isaac said. “But at the same time, I’m human, and I’ve been through the depression. I’ve been through ‘why is this happening’ ups and downs. But I’m still here. I’m still standing. I’m grateful for Him for that and just keep moving forward.”

In July 2024, the Magic extended the contract of the 6-foot-10 forward, adding four years and $59 million to his deal that was set to expire after the 2024-25 season. He played in 71 games a season ago, the most since his second season in the league, and said his goal is to play in all 82 regular-season games this season.

“I’m exquisite. I have no health holdbacks right now. I feel good,” Isaac said.

Coming into this season, he said he also senses a different energy from the team.

“It just feels great. We got a new team,” Isaac said. “We got some new, young faces, and we’re excited for every year, but this year feels more exciting than I remember.”