Magic forward Paolo Banchero underwent an MRI on Thursday afternoon that confirmed he suffered a left groin strain Wednesday night at New York, the Orlando Sentinel confirmed.

Banchero won’t be available for Friday’s home game against the Nets and he will continue to be evaluated, the Sentinel learned.

His return to play will depend on how he responds to treatment. ESPN first reported the update.

The Magic forward exited Wednesday’s 124-107 win against the Knicks at the 6:40 mark of the second quarter. Initially considered questionable to return, Banchero didn’t re-enter the game because of the injury.

He racked up 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and a block in first-half 12 minutes against the Knicks (7-4) before heading to the locker room.

Banchero told The Athletic after the game he’d undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the injury, but sounded hopeful at the time about it.

“I dealt with an oblique (injury) last year, and that was a tear,” Banchero told The Athletic, referring to last year’s injury that sidelined him two-plus months. “And feeling it, it was kind of really painful to where I couldn’t really do much. I couldn’t really move much. This (groin injury), I can still do movements. There just was a pain there. (Trainers) said if it was torn or anything, I wouldn’t be able to do anything.

“So, that’s encouraging,” he added.

Magic coach Jamahl Mosley was asked after the game if he saw what happened to Banchero.

“There was a moment he was going up and down the court, it was a quick turn and then I just saw him pause for a second,” Mosley said. “I looked at him just to try to see where he was with it and then I got him out of there before anything changed.”

Through the first 12 games of the season, Banchero has averaged 21.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists during 32.8 minutes per contest.

Jonathan Isaac started the second half in place of Banchero to help match New York’s size, but second-year pro Tristan da Silva could see an increase in action after he filled in for Banchero at times last season.

Starting Friday, Orlando (6-6) plays four of its next five games at Kia Center. After hosting Brooklyn (1-10), the Magic travel to Houston on Sunday.

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com