Noah Penda said he knew immediately that something was wrong when he left the game in the second quarter on Friday.
It felt similar to the sore hamstring he had earlier in training camp, but something different. With that first injury, the feeling was more discomfort. This injury was an immediate cramping feeling in the back of his leg. He could not walk as easily this time around.
Penda, who was on a fast break when the injury occurred, immediately limped off the court. Everyone knew that something had happened
The official diagnosis came down Saturday -- a partially torn hamstring. Penda was still up and walking, wearing a wrap and a heating pad around his right leg as the Magic completed their practice. He seemed in good spirits.
"It's frustrating because obviously the biggest thing was excitement before the season started," Penda said after practice Sunday. "If you are scared about injuries, you don't play professional sports. It's part of life. Any great player and any player that has been a professional has gone through an injury previously. You just have to live with it. You can never erase the injury risk. You can always minimize it, but never erase it. You just have to live with it once it's done."
Penda said he did not believe the new injury was connected to his previous sore hamstring that kept him out of the first days of camp. He said he saw the imaging that showed the injury was healed. And he clearly felt good enough to play, returning a week ago in Cleveland.
Penda said it was just terrible luck to injure a different part of the same hamstring.
That is how the Orlando Magic surely feel right now with the sudden rash of injuries they have picked up before the season begins. But the team is preparing to push forward as injuries have started to hit the roster a bit harder.
Returning from injury
The Orlando Magic are certainly dealing with their fair share of injuries as they look ahead to the regular season.
Anthony Black and Jonathan Isaac already missed the entire preseason and training camp.
Black suffered a sprained ankle in the voluntary workouts before training camp began. He has been ramping up and practiced fully on Sunday.
Isaac is still recovering from his sprained knee suffered last season. He has been ramping up too and doing more in practice.
Franz Wagner and Jase Richardson were added to the injury report after leaving Friday's game. Wagner's right shoulder is still being evaluated. Coach Sean Sweeney said he did some light work in Sunday's practice. Richardson is listed as day-to-day with a sore back.
Penda said he is mostly just sore right now. His return will depend on how he responds to treatment. He is unsure how much time he will miss.
Penda has had a long-term view of this injury. He does not want this to become a recurring injury, and so his return will depend on how his body is feeling. The Magic's approach to the injuries they have faced throughout the preseason has been to focus on the player's health first, then on conditioning and then on getting back on the court.
That is how the Magic will approach Penda's injury. They are confident he will attack that process.
"I just told him keep being yourself," Sweeney said after practice Sunday. "The way he works each day is admirable and that doesn't change. Regardless of what way, shape or form, you are part of the team and have to contribute as best you can."
Penda said his teammates sent encouragement and offers for advice and help. The team has had its share of injuries and has been willing to share that experience with Penda as he begins his rehab. Jalen Suggs said he made sure to check in with him and make sure he was in a good mental space to attack the physical therapy process and to assure that they will need him when he is ready to return.
What should be clear is that while Penda will miss several weeks and possibly a month or more, his season is not over. There will be a time for him to ramp up again.
Ready for the regular season?
The beat marches on though for the Orlando Magic.
The schedule does not care who is available or what injuries a team is facing. It comes all the same.
And the Orlando Magic are now looking ahead to the season opener Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks with whoever will be available.
That will still be most of the roster, of course. The Magic know this is a long journey ahead. And the team is confident in its depth to fill in and keep the team competitive for whenever all of these players may or may not be available.
"I think first is the next guy who takes that spot, or the guys who are the beneficiaries with more minutes, have to be ready to go," Sean Sweeney said after practice Sunday. "Nothing changes. You've got to play to your strengths and minimize your weaknesses and make sure you are ready to go with what your job is for the team and do it to the best of your ability."
Someone would already have to step up for Noah Penda's absence -- whether that is sliding Tristan da Silva to play more minutes at the 4 and Jamal Cain into more lineups or a healthy Jonathan Isaac stepping into those minutes. A potential Franz Wagner absence will require everyone to step up.
The team has done a lot of work to build its foundation. The hope is that everyone will be able to carry that over into the regular season.
The Magic believe they are in a good spot as the season begins. Even Penda can keep the faith.
"I think we can say we've been better game after game," Penda said after practice Sunday. "We have had ups and downs like every team. Even if you don't only want to look at the results, but the whole process of getting to games, getting to know each other and getting to know the game plan better. I feel confident for this season and confident for the guys. We as a group have confidence in each other and we are just ready to attack the season."
That confidence is always what gets teams through their bouts of injuries. And the Magic are confident they can get through this one for however long it lasts.
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