Magic Starting 5: Jonathan Isaac Back Soon?

The Magic Insider lists five of the biggest NBA storylines in addition to relevant Orlando Magic news and analysis.

Jeremy Brener | Nov 9, 2022

Magic Starting 5: Jonathan Isaac Back Soon? /

1. JONATHAN ISAAC 'CLOSER THAN EVER' TO MAGIC RETURN

“The one thing on my mind is I’m closer,” Isaac told Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel. “I’m closer today than I was yesterday. Guys are getting to see me run up and down and play a little bit, and they’re excited, too. I’m closer than I’ve ever been. I’m going to get there sooner rather than later.”

2. PAOLO BANCHERO EARNS PRAISE FROM FELLOW TOP PICK JABARI SMITH

With his second consecutive 30-point game, Banchero joins Shaquille O'Neal and Dennis Scott as the only rookies in Magic history achieve such a feat.

“Us being around the same age and us just both being rookies and being new to this and living out our dreams," Smith said of Banchero. "It is fun to compete against him. I’m such a fan of his game and a fan of who he is. It is always fun competing against him and talking to him during the game.”

3. AND VICE VERSA

"As two former five-star high school players, Smith and Banchero know each other quite well - playing on the same AAU circuit, matching up in similar camps, before each playing a season of college basketball and being top three picks in this year's drafts.”

4. COULD PAOLO SIT TONIGHT?

Paolo Banchero is listed as questionable for tonight's game against the Mavericks with a sprained ankle.

5. NEXT MAGIC GAME: TIME CHANGE!

With Tropical Storm Nicole expected to affect the central Florida area Wednesday night and Thursday, the NBA has moved up the start time of the Dallas Mavericks vs. Orlando Magic game to 5:30 p.m.

You can watch in-market on Bally Sports Florida or out-of-market on NBA League Pass.

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Published Nov 9, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.