National Basketball Association

Victor Oladipo shows up at Magic practice, but prognosis for full return unclear

Published Oct. 20, 2014 9:15 p.m. ET

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Victor Oladipo was quick to note that Monday night marked the first time he had taken a shot on the Orlando Magic's home court since the end of last season.

How soon it will be before he takes one in an actual game setting remains unclear.

The hour-long open practice held by the Magic in front of close to 2,000 fans at the Amway Center was most noteworthy by the on-court presence of the team's most recognizable player for the first time since he sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during training camp more than two weeks ago. Oladipo, wearing a brace on the knee, clearly did not appear to be bothered during warm-ups when he threw down a couple of crowd-pleasing dunks.

But when the Magic began a 5-on-5 scrimmage, he was not among those on the floor. With two preseason games remaining Wednesday and Friday nights, it's iffy whether either Oladipo or forward Channing Frye -- their top offseason addition in free agency -- will get any playing time under their belts before the 82-game regular season tips off Oct. 28 at New Orleans.

"A sprained MCL is kind of like a scab. You've just got to let it heal. That's pretty much what I'm doing," Oladipo said.

Frye, who sprained the MCL in his left knee during camp, was pedaling a stationary bicycle during the scrimmage and the shooting drills that concluded the practice.

"I don't have a timeline," coach Jacque Vaughn said. "We'll use these next couple of days to see how they progress. I'll see how their bodies respond to more stimuli."

Oladipo missed only two games last season as a rookie and is as much of a gym rat as anyone on the Magic. For him to be inactive for this length of time has tested his patience.

"At the end of the day, it's part of basketball," he said. "And I've gotten stronger. I've gotten stronger mentally. Just watching, I've seen things that maybe I didn't see when I was playing that I can apply to myself when I'm out there playing."

Chances are this was the first time many of those in attendance got to watch rookies Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton in person. Veterans Ben Gordon, Luke Ridnour, Evan Fournier and Willie Green are also newcomers to on a team that finished last season with a 23-59 record.

Fans filled up most of the lower bowl between the two baselines, with Vaughn pulling a few of them out of the stands for a free-throw shooting contest at the beginning while his players went through stretching exercises.

"I'm not sure if these (fans) get to see them play throughout the course of the year," he said. "So for them to have a chance to get pretty close to the guys is pretty important."

Forward Kyle O'Quinn freely admitted the Magic didn't play as hard on defense as they would in a usual practice setting. No fans were ever in danger of having a player dive for a loose ball and end up in their laps.

But to have an open practice for the first time since 2012, his rookie season, was appreciated by him.

"It shows the support we have in the area, which is always good," O'Quinn said. "The same reactions we get on the court are the same reactions you get outside at the mall, downtown."

Added Oladipo: "It makes you want to get out there and play hard for them. They believe in you. It just gives you that juice. And I just can't wait to get back."

You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.

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