Bad News Emerges for Orlando Magic as Young Forward Suffers Hamstring Injury

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Bad News Emerges for Orlando Magic as Young Forward Suffers Hamstring Injury

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 11: Noah Penda #93 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket around Mario Hezonja #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena on October 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) Getty

Juan Paolo David · HEAVY

Sun, Oct 18, 2026 ·

4 min read

Noah Penda's Injury Confirmed

GettyNoah Penda #93 of the Orlando Magic poses during the 2026 Orlando Magic Media Day at AdventHealth Training Center on September 28, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.

According to Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel , Noah Penda has been diagnosed with a partial hamstring tear in his right leg. Penda has started treatment, but there is no timeline for his return.

"Breaking News: #Magic forward Noah Penda suffered a partially torn right hamstring during Friday's preseason vs. the Heat, the @orlandosentinel has learned. Penda's return will depend on how he responds to treatment, but he's expected to miss significant time, I'm told," Beede tweeted.

The Magic beat reporter added that Penda's initial right hamstring injury was fully healed before Friday's game. It was just an unfortunate situation for the player and the franchise.

"More context on Penda's hamstring injury: I'm told this is not the same injury as the one he suffered in #Magic training camp. While it's the same right leg, it's a different part of the hamstring he partially tore Friday. The previous injury had fully healed, I'm told," the reporter added.

In the 2026 NBA Summer League, Penda had some pretty good performances. He averaged 15.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.7 blocks in three games. He also shot lights out from the field and beyond the arc.

Philip Rossman-Reich of Orlando Magic Daily observed that Penda is a different player heading into his second year in the league. He was described as "more refined" and "more focused," which are signs of great player development.

Who Steps Up in Orlando?

GettyJamal Cain #8 and Goga Bitadze #35 of the Orlando Magic walk back onto the court after a time-out during the first half of game four of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Detroit Pistons at the Kia Center on April 27, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Pistons 94-88 to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

The Orlando Magic will begin the 2026-27 NBA season at home on October 21. They welcome the Atlanta Hawks at the Kia Center.

With Noah Penda out indefinitely, plus Anthony Black , Jonathan Isaac and Izaiyah Nelson dealing with injuries, the question for coach Sean Sweeney and the Magic is who steps up off the bench.

Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero will be the starters, while Tristan da Silva is expected to get more minutes as a backup forward to start the campaign.

Ryan Kaminski of Sports Illustrated opined that da Silva gives the Magic spacing, but Jamal Cain is another player who could have an increased role.

This article was originally published on HEAVY