Noah Penda registered his first career double-double on Saturday, helping the Orlando Magic snap a two-game losing streak with a road victory over the Utah Jazz.
Penda tied a season high with 13 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots in the 128-127 overtime win at the Delta Center. He went 6-of-11 from the field, including 1-of-4 from 3-point range, in 23 minutes off the bench.
The 32nd pick became the 11th rookie to record a double-double in a game this season. He is the first Magic rookie to do so off the bench since RJ Hampton on May 14, 2021.
“Just staying ready,” Penda said of his performance. “Trust the work I put in every day, like I’ve said multiple times. … It is just about getting extra possessions for your team and doing the dirty work and whatever it takes to get the win.”
Desmond Bane led the Magic with 32 points, including the go-ahead layup with 0.9 seconds left in overtime, while Paolo Banchero tallied 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists and Anthony Black added 20 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Penda played a key role for the Magic, who were without Franz Wagner (ankle), Jalen Suggs (hip), Tristan da Silva (shoulder) and Moe Wagner (knee). He had nine points in the first half alone for his first double-digit outing since Nov. 25.
“He found so many plays that he was involved in: Multiple contests on 3-point shooters, protecting the basket, big-time defensive rebounds, big-time offensive rebounds,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said of Penda. “Just those little winning plays. You got to give him so much credit because he just continues to stay ready. No matter what is going on, he continues to work on his craft, and that is what we need from guys like that who are not always in the rotation.”
Penda is averaging 4.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 50% from the field in 15 appearances with the Magic. He has played sporadically to begin the season, logging a tick under 10 minutes per game for Mosley.
The Frenchman knew entering the season that his playing time could be inconsistent, on a team aiming to make a deep playoff run. He has embraced his role off the bench as a change-of-pace option and has impressed those around him in the early going.
“There is no doubt that we have the utmost confidence in him,” Bane said. “He made a bunch of plays, offensive rebounds, defensive blocks, had a drive and dump-off to Wendell (Carter Jr.). He is a pro’s pro. He has been a pro since he was 16. I wasn’t even driving a car yet, and he was already a pro basketball player. It ain’t no question about whether he is ready for these moments.”