Most of the time when the media is let into the Orlando Magic's practices and shootarounds, Noah Penda is standing near the free throw line or the center of the court, passing the ball to teammates as they do their shooting drills to close practice.
It is at least Penda staying involved while he recovers from a partially torn right hamstring he suffered during the final preseason game. He is not completely absent, as he works his way back.
But Penda is itching to get back onto the court.
Slowly but surely, he is making progress. That was evident after shootaround on Friday when Penda was shooting jumpers and going through a very light workout on the court.
Just Penda going out and taking jumpers is a positive sign so soon after his injury.
"I'm progressing better," Penda said before Friday's game. "I'm following whatever the medical staff tells me to do. Overall, my body feels better. I know it's about when can I be back on the court 100 percent. The toughest part is doing high-maximum-level sprints. Right now I'm at the level of running regular. I'm progressing the right way. Excited to be back."
There is still no timetable for Penda's return. The Magic never set a timetable for updates either. He is just working to get back quietly.
Penda is clearly quite eager to do so.
First injury
The disappointment of Noah Penda's injury was that he was due for such a big breakout season.
Penda had a strong summer and entered the preseason playing extremely well. He seemed set to take backup forward minutes.
His shot was much more confident. And he was making bigger plays on defense.
Penda was poised to be a breakout player. But he left the preseason finale against the Miami Heat with a hamstring injury. He got a steal and was chasing down the ball when he pulled up and immediately left the game.
The diagnosis was a partially torn hamstring. An injury that sounded scarier than it might actually have been. The Magic still had to wait for him to recover.
Penda said this was his first real injury in his playing career. It was difficult to wrap his head around what the injury would mean for him and the frustration of sitting out.
He said it was difficult for him mentally to sit out.
But having other injured players on the roster who have helped him attack his rehab and encourage him as he deals with this injury.
"I've never been injured before," Penda said before Friday's game. "I didn't know what coming back from a big injury would look like. I'm a guy that needs to move around a lot and loves basketball. I was kind of relieved. It was good mentally to do all this stuff quickly. I don't know how much time I have left. At least I'm able to touch the ball and get on the court. It feels great."
Penda is clearly feeling some confidence and feeling glad to be taking steps, as small as they might be.
Penda has been eager to get on the court, using his offseason to transform his body and prepare himself for a full season after playing in only spot minutes his rookie year.
It was a frustrating injury to suffer ahead of what felt like a big season.
Making progress
Noah Penda may still be a little bit away from returning to the court. But progress is the point at the moment.
He is focused on the little goals in front of him, progressively doing more and clearing each check mark.
The Magic appear happy with where he is at.
"He's progressing well and ramping up," coach Sean Sweeney said before Friday's game. "He is still on track. Nothing has really changed with where he is at. He is doing a great job with his work habits. We have a lot of guys who love basketball, but he might be at the top of the list. The questions he asks are really engaged regardless of whether he is in there or not. He is doing a good job. Got to keep doing it and keep working his way back."
Everyone is still waiting for Penda to make it all the way back though.
The team got healthier after their early bout with injuries, bringing Jalen Suggs (left knee contusion and bone bruise), Jamal Cain (shoulder contusion) and Tristan da Silva (sore calf) back to the lineup. Paolo Banchero is still working his way back from the high ankle sprain.
The Magic's injury report is still fairly long. It is getting shorter.
And the Magic are hoping that Penda will come off it soon. But it will come when he is ready.
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