Noah Penda has been upgraded from day-to-day to out with right hamstring tightness, a change that surfaced after he left Friday's preseason game against the Heat early. The Magic will be without him for Wednesday's preseason matchup with the Hawks.
What happened
Penda's status moved from day-to-day to out as of Saturday, Oct. 17 at 6:07 p.m. ET, with the issue listed as a right hamstring. Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reported that Penda would not return to Friday's preseason game against the Heat because of right hamstring tightness; he finished with one steal in two minutes. The hamstring has been a recurring issue for Penda. He was day-to-day with the same right hamstring on Friday, had been cleared from a day-to-day hamstring/leg designation on Oct. 11, and first went day-to-day with a hamstring/leg issue on Sept. 30.
What it means for the Magic
Orlando plays the Hawks next on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET, and Penda will miss that preseason game. Last season he averaged 12.8 minutes, 3.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 59 games, a reserve wing/guard role rather than a full-time starter's workload. With Penda out, the Magic lean on their established rotation: Paolo Banchero (34.7 minutes, 22.2 points), Desmond Bane (33.6 minutes, 20.1 points), Franz Wagner (30.0 minutes, 20.6 points), Anthony Black (29.8 minutes, 15.0 points), Wendell Carter Jr. (29.3 minutes, 11.8 points), Jalen Suggs (27.6 minutes, 13.8 points), Tristan da Silva (24.7 minutes, 9.9 points) and Jevon Carter (20.4 minutes, 7.2 points). The 2026-27 regular season has not started, so Orlando sits at 0-0 with no record splits to measure his absence against yet.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Penda's status changes ahead of further preseason action. His expected return is listed as Nov. 18, 2026, which would fall after the regular season begins and well beyond Wednesday's game against the Hawks. Until a new report lists him as probable or available, treat him as out for Orlando's remaining preseason games.
Is Noah Penda playing vs the Hawks?
No. Penda is listed as out with a right hamstring injury and will not play Orlando's preseason game against the Hawks on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
When will Noah Penda be back?
His expected return is Nov. 18, 2026, according to the injury report. No earlier timeline has been announced.