Jonathan Isaac 'Pretty Comfortable' Playing Center For Orlando Magic

Jonathan Isaac has thrived in multiple positions on defense for the Orlando Magic.

It hasn't taken long for Jonathan Isaac to show what he's capable of when he's healthy. 

With multiple injuries for the Orlando Magic, including center Wendall Carter Jr. being out for the foreseeable future with a hand injury, Isaac has had to step up. In Carter's absence, Isaac's versatility has been on full display as he's seen more time at center than usual. 

While Isaac is playing out of his normal position whenever he isn't playing forward, he's more than comfortable playing at the five when the team needs him to.  

"I feel pretty comfortable," Isaac said. "Just continuing to learn. I haven't played it ever in my life really. So setting screens getting out you know, running the floor. And just being a defensive anchor at the five is something that I'm comfortable with and still getting used to."

Jonathan Isaac blocking a shot from Brandon Ingram / © Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Isaac has played in nine of the Magic's 11 games this season and is averaging 5.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Where Isaac has made his presence felt most is on defense, where he's averaging 1.4 blocks per game for the Magic (6-5). Orlando is 6-3 in the nine games Isaac has played in. 

Isaac has had blocks in seven of the nine games he's played in this season. Among those seven games, he's had at least two blocks in five of them. In total, Isaac has 13 blocks this season. 

Before missing nearly all of three straight seasons from 2020-21 to 2022-23, Isaac was seen as one of the best defensive players in basketball. Now, with the Magic forward fully healthy and playing in back-to-back games for the first time since 2019, Isaac is regaining the form that made him a force on defense and thriving wherever Orlando has to play him. 

The Magic will be back in action on Friday when it heads to the United Center for a second straight game when it faces the Chicago Bulls (4-8) in its second in-season tournament game. 

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