fbpx

Jonathan Isaac Returns to NBA Court After 900 Days on the Sideline: ‘I Wouldn’t Be Here Without Christ’

Photo from Jonathan Isaac’s Instagram

Jonathan Isaac Returns to NBA Court After 900 Days on the Sideline: ‘I Wouldn’t Be Here Without Christ’

By Cooper Dowd

Orlando Magic star Jonathan Isaac, and author of ‘Why I Stand,’ made his second NBA debut on Monday night after spending the past 2 and a half years sidelined due to injury.

In storybook fashion, Isaac scored ten points in the Magic’s upset victory over the top-ranked Boston Celtics.

Isaac received a standing ovation from Orlando fans, but championed Christ in his postgame interview.

“It felt fantastic,” Isaac said of his return to an NBA court. “Just to touch the floor, I feel so grateful. I know I wouldn’t be here without Christ. I know I wouldn’t be here without my faith, and I just feel so good.”

“I’m grateful to be with the Magic, the fans, the excitement, and for us to get a win, I
can’t be happier,” he added.

Isaac admitted to some nerves heading into his first game in over 900 days, but said he put his trust in God.

“Just all the adrenaline, all the excitement, I was just trying to kind of calm myself down [and] trust that God, He’s got me out here for a reason,” Isaac said.

“I’m looking forward to the second one and just continuing to stack them up,” he added.

In a separate interview with ESPN, Isaac again gave glory to God for the ability to return to the sport he loves.

“There were days where I was like I don’t know if I want to keep going,” Isaac told ESPN. “But then again, I have to thank Christ. Being able to go back to my faith and say God has me on this journey for a purpose. I know that I was made to play basketball. I was made to give glory to God on this stage.”

Despite his time away from the NBA court, Isaac used the downtime to share his testimony in his first book, ‘Why I Stand.’

Movieguide® previously reported:

Nearly two years ago, on July 31, 2020, Jonathan Isaac became the first NBA player to stand for the national anthem while teammates and peers around the league knelt.

Isaac recently published his first book called ‘Why I Stand,’ which explains why he chose to abstain from wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt and kneel with the rest of the league.

In the book, Isaac explains that he could not find the answer to life’s many hardships when he looked to the world.

“I believe that Jesus Christ is the answer because he’s been the answer for me and I’m able to put it into a book and share my story and my testimony,” Isaac told The Christian Post. “To me, that gives ‘the stand’ its backbone.”

Read More: Jonathan Isaac On How Faith Is The ‘Backbone’ of His Latest Book ‘Why I Stand’

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.