Jonathan

Isaac

Isaac appears set to stay with Orlando for the foreseeable future. The two-way swingman was once seen as a potential cornerstone but was derailed by injuries for several seasons. The Magic were able to get the most out of him in shorts bursts throughout their 2023-24 campaign and he’ll likely continue to play a key role off the bench next season. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect too much from him with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in the fold.

Harris is back after missing Game 6, and he will return to his spot in the starting unit. Jonathan Isaac got the start in his place on Friday, but he will return to a reserve role in the final game of the series.

Harris will be back in the lineup after missing the Game 6 win in Orlando. Jonathan Isaac started in his place in a tall opening unit, though it wouldn’t be surprising if he was pushed to the bench with Harris back.

After injuring his hamstring during Tuesday’s Game 5 loss to the Cavaliers, Harris did not play in Game 6 on Friday. Jonathan Isaac returned to the starting lineup, making Orlando the first team in postseason history to start four players listed as 6-foot-10 or taller. Isaac did not score in Game 6, but he did grab nine rebounds in 23 minutes on the court.

Gary Harris missed Game 6 due to injury, which led to Isaac moving into the starting lineup. With this setup, Orlando became the first time in NBA playoff history to start four players listed at 6-foot-10 or taller (Isaac, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr.). While the former lottery pick failed to score, he did tie for the team lead in rebounds in just 23 minutes of action. Carter, who also grabbed nine boards, accounted for 11 points, two assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer. Game 7 of this series will be played on Sunday in Cleveland.

Harris has been ruled out for this game after an early exit in Game 5. Jonathan Isaac will join the starting unit, though Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz should also take on extra minutes off the bench.

Isaac was part of Orlando’s closing lineup for this game after Gary Harris exited with a hamstring injury. Since Harris was ruled out at the end of the third quarter, it is unclear who will start in Game 6 if he remains sidelined. However, it is a safe bet that Isaac will take on extra minutes and be part of their closing lineup once again. He is one of the most impactful defensive players in the league, and if Harris isn’t out there to guard Donovan Mitchell, they’ll need Isaac on the floor.

After starting the first two games of this series, Isaac came off the bench for the last two. He had a decent performance in Game 3, but he provided an excellent boost off the bench in this one. Isaac’s defense has been critical through the series, but he was also able to make an impact with from beyond the arc in this one. They won their two home games with Isaac coming off the bench, and the offense was significantly better. Isaac will continue to play an important reserve role in Game 5 on Tuesday.

Carter moved into the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the series’ first two games. He did not offer much production, but having more size in the middle helped Orlando keep Jarrett Allen (eight rebounds) off the boards. With Carter starting, Jonathan Isaac returned to the bench, and he chipped in with eight points, two rebounds, one steal, one block, and two 3-pointers in 16 minutes. Game 4 is on Saturday, with Cleveland holding a 2-1 lead.

Wendell Carter Jr. will start at center after backing up Jonathan Isaac in Games 1 and 2. Orlando is reverting to its usual regular-season lineup in hopes of securing a home win against the Cavaliers in Game 3.