Noah Penda Suffers Partially Torn Hamstring, Thinning Magic Rotation

Orlando Magic forward Noah Penda is officially dealing with a partially torn right hamstring, according to a Friday report from Jason Beede relayed by Underdog NBA. If you were hoping the rookie was just dealing with a minor tweak, it is time to face reality. Hamstrings do not care about your optimism.

Penda originally exited Friday's preseason matchup against the Miami Heat and went straight to the locker room. Now we know why. A partial tear is the kind of medical update that immediately makes you wince. Soft-tissue injuries have a nasty habit of lingering longer than a bad houseguest who refuses to take a hint.

"Noah Penda suffered a partially torn right hamstring Friday, per @therealBeede."

This is not exactly a new issue for the rookie, either. Penda was already limited at the start of training camp with a right hamstring injury. Trying to push through soft-tissue problems in the preseason is a dangerous game, and now the Magic are looking at a much more complicated recovery timeline for their young wing.

Before the injury, Penda was showing some real flashes of defensive upside. He racked up four steals in one Summer League game and pulled down 14 rebounds in another, proving he can do the dirty work. Orlando is a team built on length and defensive chaos, making Penda a natural fit for their rotation if he can actually stay on the floor.

From a betting and rotation perspective, this thins out the Magic's depth chart right as the games start to matter. If you were eyeing any deep bench props or expecting Penda to eat up early-season minutes, you can safely cross those off the board. Orlando will have to lean heavier on their established forwards to cover the gap.

Looking ahead, Penda is in serious danger of missing Wednesday's regular-season opener. The Magic are going to have to play the long game here, because rushing a guy back from a partially torn hamstring is a guaranteed way to turn a multi-week absence into a lost season. Expect Orlando to keep him in street clothes until that leg is fully structurally sound.