CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jonathan Isaac sat in silence, thinking, for almost 10 seconds.
The Magic forward had just been asked by the Orlando Sentinel about his role with the team and his conversations surrounding it with coach Jamahl Mosley.
The longest-tenured member of the Magic didn’t want to say the wrong thing. So, he didn’t.
“They’re trying to figure it out,” Isaac said about Orlando‘s coaching staff shortly after the team dropped its fourth game in a row against the Pistons on Wednesday night. “Everybody’s just trying to figure it out so I know they’ve got a job to do, and so I’m just trusting in them to let me know if and when. My job is just to stay ready and keep a positive attitude and outlook, and be ready to play when my number’s called.”
Less than 24 hours later at Spectrum Center against Charlotte, Isaac’s number was called.
And he was ready.
In 15 minutes of action, hist most time this season, Isaac helped set the defensive tone with three blocks, a steal, three deflections and four contested shots as the Magic ended a four-game losing streak with a 123-107 victory over the Hornets on Thursday night.
“It feels great,” Isaac said in the locker room after the 16-point win. “I know the coaching staff has … I don’t want to say a lot on their shoulders but they’re trying to figure stuff out.
“So, I’m not worried,” he added. “If I can just continue to focus on the defensive end of the floor and help this team defensive-wise, and let the offense just come, shots are going to fall.”
Isaac, who had been in-and-out of the rotation through the first five games of the season, wasn’t the only other member of the Magic to take advantage of opportunities on Thursday night.
Anthony Black, typically a key part of Orlando’s bench, started in place of Jalen Suggs, who sat out the second night of the back-to-back managing his left knee injury.
In the first quarter alone, he posted 10 points when he shot 2-for-3 from 3-point range. The third-year guard was one of three Magic players to end with at least 20 points, joining Franz Wagner (21) and Paolo Banchero (20). Wendell Carter Jr. added 18 and Tristan da Silva 19 in 22 minutes off the bench.
But similar to Isaac, success circles back to the defensive end of the court for Black.
As the primary defender on Charlotte’s All-Star guard LaMelo Ball, Black held him to 1-for-7 shooting from the field, including 0 for 5 from beyond the arc, according to league-tracking data. Ball ended with 17 points, the first time this season he didn’t crack 20.
“AB is a unique player,” Carter said. “I see him behind the scenes a lot, and he’s one of those guys [who] works every day. He’s a listener and a learner. Our biggest thing is keeping him confidence and aggressive.
“When he’s aggressive, he makes the game so much easier for everyone else around him,” Carter added.
The Magic (2-4) continue their five-game road trip against the Wizards (1-4), who were in the top 10 in 3-pointers made (15.2) and 3-point percentage (39%) entering Friday’s slate of games, according to NBA.com.
Although Thursday’s win was just one game, the result is something the Magic hope to take and learn from as they continue to work through implementing a faster offense and staying stout on the other end.
AP Photo/Nell Redmond
Hornets guard Collin Sexton (8) tries to drive to the basket between Magic forwards Tristan da Silva, left, and Jonathan Isaac, right, during the first half of Thursday’s game at Spectrum Center. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Isaac believes there’s another gear to Orlando’s defense.
“When we’re really locked in … Man, we could have held them to 90 points if we really locked in,” Isaac said about the Hornets. “There’s still another three levels that we can take it defensively.
“So, I’m proud of us for weathering the storm, coming out here and getting a win on a back-to-back. We’re just moving forward.”
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
Magic at Wizards
When: 7, Saturday, Capital One Arena
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida