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Orlando Magic Rumors: Elfrid Payton has ‘mild to moderate’ hamstring strain

By Philip Rossman-Reich

SAN ANTONIO,TX - OCTOBER 10: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic battles Amida Brimah #37 of the San Antonio Spurs for a loose ball, at AT&T Center on October 10, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO,TX - OCTOBER 10: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic battles Amida Brimah #37 of the San Antonio Spurs for a loose ball, at AT&T Center on October 10, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /
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Elfrid Payton may miss some time, according to a report from the Orlando Sentinel. He has been diagnosed with a ‘mild to moderate’ hamstring strain.

The Orlando Magic season in some respects could not have gotten off to be a better start at 2-1 after Saturday’s win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In many ways, it could not have gotten off to a worse start.

The Magic have played two games without Aaron Gordon, out with a sprained ankle. And Elfrid Payton missed Saturday’s game after leaving Friday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets with a sore hamstring. Payton’s injury may be a bit more serious and could see him missing some time.

Coach Frank Vogel told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel Payton was diagnosed with a “mild to moderate” hamstring strain after undergoing a MRI on Saturday.

Payton said his hamstring felt tight heading into Friday’s game, but he tried to play through it. Late in the second quarter, it locked up on him and he had to pull himself out of the game.

It is unclear when Payton will return, but it seems certain he will miss at least Tuesday’s game against the Nets and a bit beyond.

Payton had a stellar preseason and looked like he was building off his strong finish to last season. He scored 13 points on 6-for-12 shooting and dished out nine assists in the season opener against the Miami Heat. He posted four points and four assists in 14.5 minutes in the first half against the Nets before leaving with the injury.

On top of that, Payton is the best point guard on the roster at playing with the kind of pace the team is looking for. Payton is second on the team in pace — the Magic play at a pace of 112.4 possessions per 48 minutes with Payton in the game.

For a team trying to establish its identity, losing Payton for any extended period of time is like losing the key to its engine. D.J. Augustin has filled in admirably, but he is clearly not the same. The Magic will have to focus more and more on defense especially to create transition opportunities with Payton out for some time.

If there is good news, it is that Aaron Gordon does not expect to be out long.

Aaron Gordon told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel he expects to be back soon:

"“I’m just quickly getting better,” Gordon told the Orlando Sentinel on Saturday. “Day by day, I feel much, much better. The strength is coming back. That’s the biggest thing I was lacking. It was overstretched and weak, so it doesn’t give me any explosion off of it. I’m starting to get my explosion back, and I’ll be good.”"

Injury adversity is something that happens in the course of the season. Surely, the Magic would have preferred it not to happen early in the season as they tried to establish their base.

But the team has to roll with the punches some and adjust on the fly. Losing Payton and Gordon, two players key to their identity, will certainly hurt in the long run. Orlando has done well to weather the storm so far. Monday will give a chance to reset some things and continue to adjust as the games keep coming.

Next: Nikola Vucevic displaying expanded range

This is not how Orlando wanted to start its season. But the team still has plenty of reason to be optimistic. Even as these two key players work their way back from injury.