Report: Magic's Isaac, Fultz won't be ready for start of season

Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz won't be available for the Orlando Magic's season-opening game against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 20, The Athletic's Josh Robbins reports.

Isaac and Fultz are still recovering from significant knee injuries. The former tore his ACL and meniscus in August 2020, while the latter tore his ACL in January 2021.

Neither player has suffered a setback, according to Magic president Jeff Weltman.

"They have not only cleared every hurdle from a timeline perspective, but they've improved (on the court). They're better," Weltman said, according to Robbins. "So I credit them and our staff, both the performance and coaching, with using that time productively."

Isaac displayed All-Defensive team potential before suffering his injury, averaging 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals across 34 games during the 2019-20 season. Meanwhile, Fultz posted 12.9 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds over eight games during the 2020-21 campaign prior to his ACL tear.

Both Isaac and Fultz received contract extensions in December 2020. Isaac signed a reported four-year, $80-million deal, while Fultz inked a reported three-year, $50-million pact.