The Orlando Magic have been one of the unluckiest teams in terms of injuries this NBA season. It seems like things are finally taking a turn for the better for Orlando.

Markelle Fultz has been upgraded to questionable and could be in line to make his season debut on Sunday. Fultz has missed the Magic's first 19 games due to a broken left big toe.

Overall, only Cole Anthony and Jonathan Isaac are listed as out for Orlando. That's a change from the normal five-to-six players listed as out for the Magic. On Saturday, Anthony teased that he'll be "back so soon". Isaac has yet to play this season, after missing the last two seasons due to various leg injuries.

Paolo Banchero is set to return to game action on Friday after a seven-game absence with an ankle injury.

In 11 games prior to this injury, Paolo Banchero was averaging 23.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

“I'm feeling good,” Banchero said after the Magic’s practice on Wednesday. “It was good just to get back. It's been a while. A lot of observing. So, I was just happy to be out there.”

Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero got his NBA career off to a terrific start. Unfortunately, that start has been put on pause due to a sprained left ankle. That injury is likely to cost Banchero at least one more week.

Banchero did not travel with the Magic for their game at the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Despite still being out, Banchero said he's making progress. The rookie forward also said this was the first time he's suffered a sprained left ankle.

Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris has missed the start of the 2022-23 NBA season while recovering from offseason knee surgery. But Harris says he's "getting close" to returning for the Magic.

Harris underwent surgery on August 31 after tearing his left meniscus. Orlando said Harris would be sidelined indefinitely, but he's started to ramp up his workouts recently.

The last time Jonathan Isaac played in an NBA game was August 2, 2020 in the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World. Isaac blew out his knee in a game against the Sacramento Kings and has gone on to miss the entirety of the last two seasons.

Now, Isaac is inching closer to a return. The Orlando Magic big man said he's playing 5-of-5 for the last few weeks.

“I’ve been playing the last few weeks and just getting in shape,” Isaac said. “I’m still getting there. But in terms of body, knees and hamstrings, everything is great. I’m just not in game shape."

Isaac was closing in on a return last season before suffering a serious hamstring injury. At that point, the Magic chose to shut him down in what was a lost season. Isaac says he feels "fantastic" physically but needs more time to work on his conditioning.

“The only step is continuing to get in shape,” Isaac said. “We played the other day, and I was gassed. Obviously, I haven’t done it in a long time. Continuing to get in shape and playing 5-on-5 four times a week. Just being able to run up and down and get in shape is what I’m focused on right now."

Three players from the 2020 NBA Draft class had their 2023-24 rookie scale team options declined. The deadline for teams to exercise these options for next season was Monday, October 31.

Udoka Azubuike of the Utah Jazz had his fourth-year option declined. Jazz teammate Leandro Bolmaro had his third-year option declined by the Jazz. (Bolmaro was also drafted in 2020 but did not sign until 2021.) Bolmaro was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to Utah this past offseason.

RJ Hampton of the Orlando Magic also had his fourth-year option declined. Hampton was originally drafted by the Denver Nuggets before being traded to Orlando at the 2021 trade deadline.

Fellow 2020 draftee Jalen Smith had his third-year option declined by the Phoenix Suns last year. Smith was then traded to the Indiana Pacers at the 2022 trade deadline.

Azubuike, Bolmaro and Hampton's teams, or an acquiring team (as was the case with Smith), are now capped at paying them a first-year salary equal to the declined amount of their option. Smith re-signed with the Pacers on this type of deal this past summer.