Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac has cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol and will be available to play in the team’s playoff opener Saturday in Toronto, the team announced Thursday night.
Isaac is believed to have been hurt on Orlando’s win Sunday against the Celtics. He was struck in the jaw and experienced concussion-like symptoms after the game, leading the Magic to place him in the protocol.
Orlando coach Steve Clifford had said earlier Thursday that he had no idea when Isaac would be cleared. The second-year forward, the Magic’s first-round pick (sixth overall) in 2017, is averaging 9.6 points and 5.5 rebounds this season.
Magic leading scorer and rebounder Nikola Vucevic, who missed Wednesday night’s regular-season finale with a stomach virus, said he felt better Thursday and expects to face the Raptors in Game 1 on Saturday (5 p.m., ESPN).