Injury update: Elfrid Payton out against Spurs

Point guard Elfrid Payton will miss his third consecutive game with a strained left hamstring when the Magic take on the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, according to the Magic injury report.

Payton suffered the injury during the Magic’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. D.J. Augustin has taken Payton’s place in the starting lineup, helping guide the Magic to a rout over the Cleveland Cavaliers and a comeback win in a rematch against the Nets.

The absence of Payton is yet to hinder the surging Magic offense, which has scored over 110 points in all four games to start the season.

Thanks in part to the Los Angeles Lakers’ overtime win against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, Orlando fans woke up to see their 3-1 Magic at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, tied with the Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks. (Who cares if there are six months and 78 games remaining in the season? Savor the moment, for no one knows how long it will last). Even the Magic's Twitter account tweeted out a picture of the standings this morning...

The Magic’s early-season success will be gauged on Friday when the unbeaten Spurs come to town, albeit without injured star Kawhi Leonard, who is out with a leg injury.