Magic’s Jonathan Isaac: I’m Not Allowed To Eat With Team

Magic forward Jonathan Isaac has been open in discussing his decision not to get vaccinated for the coronavirus, and admitted he is already experiencing some difficulties because of it.

“I’m not allowed to go to team functions, or if the team is eating at a restaurant, I can’t eat in the same room as them,” he said in an interview with Allie Beth Stuckey of The Blaze. “To me it just doesn’t logically follow for us then to get on the court together.”

Isaac and other unvaccinated players won’t be able to play in cities with mandates. Nets star guard Kyrie Irving also currently falls under that umbrella.

Isaac refused to join other players and kneel or wear a “Black Lives Matter” shirt when the NBA completed the 2019-20 season inside the Orlando bubble. He cited his Christian faith as the primary reason.

“A lot went into my decision and part of it is my thought that kneeling or wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt don’t go hand in hand with supporting black lives,” he said.

“My life has been supported by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyone is made in the image of God and we all share in His glory. Each and everyone of us each and every day do things we shouldn’t do.

“We say things we shouldn’t say. We hate and dislike people that we shouldn’t hate and dislike. And sometimes it gets to the point where we point fingers about whose evil is worse, and sometimes it comes down to simply whose evil is most visible. 

“I felt like I wanted just take a stand on — I felt like we all make mistakes but I think the gospel of Jesus Christ is that there’s grace for us. And that Jesus came and died for our sins. And that we all will come to an understanding of that and that God wants to have a relationship with us.”

He told Stuckey he supports the COVID-19 vaccines and he thinks people should take them if they decide its in their best interest.

Isaac missed all of last season with an ACL injury but is on pace to be a starter and key player for the Magic this year.

NBA Players Association director Michele Roberts has stated the union is at least 95 percent vaccinated.