Magic's Paolo Banchero: Logs 31 points vs. Atlanta
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Banchero registered 31 points (10-22 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 7-8 FT), six rebounds, four assists and one block over 33 minutes during Monday's 112-106 loss to the Hawks.
Banchero was the second-leading scorer for the Magic on Monday behind Franz Wagner (37), but the star duo didn't get much offensive production from their teammates. Banchero went just 4-for-34 from beyond the arc across the seven games heading into Monday's contest, but he connected on a game-high four three-pointers for just the third time this season. The Magic will look to get back on track against the Hornets on Wednesday.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Fills stat sheet in loss
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Banchero finished with 18 points (6-14 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 5-8 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal in 30 minutes during Thursday's 112-90 loss to the Nuggets.
Banchero stuffed the stat sheet while recording a season-high mark in swats, albeit in a losing effort. The star forward was fairly efficient Thursday, though he has struggled with his shot of late. Over his last five outings, the 22-year-old has averaged 17.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks, shooting only 40.0 percent from the field and 9.1 percent from three-point range across 33.0 minutes per game.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Struggles from field in loss
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Banchero logged 10 points (4-17 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals in 29 minutes during Sunday's 113-100 loss to the Nuggets.
Banchero struggled to find his shot in Sunday's contest, connecting on just 25 percent of his attempts from the field but still managing to finish as one of six Magic players in double figures to go along with his team-high-tying assist mark. Banchero posted his lowest point total of the season, failing to record at least 15 points for the first time.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Leads charge in Wednesday's loss
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Banchero amassed 22 points (8-20 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one block across 26 minutes during Wednesday's 122-93 loss to the Bucks.
The third-year forward once again led the Magic in scoring on the night. Banchero has hit for 20-plus points in three straight games since returning from an oblique strain Friday, an injury that cost him more than two months. Since rejoining the lineup, Banchero is averaging 25.3 points, 6.7 boards, 3.7 assists, 2.7 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks while shooting 47.1 percent (8-for-17) from beyond the arc.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Delivers 34 points in return
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Banchero (oblique) closed with a team-high 34 points (11-21 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 7-10 FT) to go with seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block across 27 minutes during Friday's 109-106 loss to the Bucks.
The third-year forward had been out since Oct. 30 due to an oblique strain, but Banchero showed little rust in his return despite a slight minutes restriction, with his five triples representing a season high. He's only made six appearances this season, but he's topped 30 points in four of them, and he should resume seeing his usual workload as soon as Sunday against the 76ers.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Officially good to go
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Banchero (oblique) is available for Friday's game versus the Bucks.
As expected, Banchero will return to action Friday after missing Orlando's last 34 contests due to a right oblique strain. While the star forward will likely operate on a minutes restriction, he should reclaim his starting spot from either Caleb Houstan or Tristan da Silva against Milwaukee.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Officially questionable for Friday
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Banchero (oblique) is listed as questionable for Friday's matchup with the Bucks.
Banchero is nearing a return to the court after having been sidelined since Oct. 30 with a right oblique strain, though he'll likely operate under a minutes restriction if he's able to come back Friday. If the star forward remains sidelined Friday, however, Caleb Houstan could continue starting alongside Tristan da Silva at forward.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Game-time decision Thursday
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Despite a previous report, coach Jamahl Mosley said Banchero (oblique) will go through his pre-game shooting routine and a decision about his availability for Thursday's matchup with Minnesota will be determined closer to tipoff at 7 p.m. EST, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Banchero was initially expected to make his return to action Friday against Milwaukee after missing 33 consecutive games due to a torn right oblique. However, it appears that the Magic will stick to their questionable designation for the star forward, so fantasy managers should look out for an official update from Orlando.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Officially listed as questionable
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Banchero (oblique) is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Timberwolves.
Banchero hasn't played since Oct. 30 due to a strained oblique, but he's on the cusp of making his highly-anticipated return to the fold for the Magic. If the star forward isn't ready to play Thursday, fantasy managers can expect him to suit up in Friday's tilt with Milwaukee on the second part of Orlando's back-to-back. The likes of Jonathan Isaac, Tristan da Silva and Caleb Houstan would continue soaking up minutes if Banchero sits out against Minnesota.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Set to return Thursday or Friday
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Banchero (oblique) is expected to return to action Thursday versus Minnesota or Friday versus Milwaukee, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Banchero, who hasn't played since Oct. 30 due to a torn right oblique, returned to full practice Wednesday, marking the final checkpoint he needed to clear in his recovery. While the Magic likely won't ask Banchero to play both ends of the upcoming back-to-back set following a lengthy absence, fantasy managers should look to activate him once it's confirmed in which game he'll be making his return. Prior to his injury, Banchero had a tremendous start to the campaign with averages of 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.2 three-pointers across 36.4 minutes in five games.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Won't play Monday
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Banchero (oblique) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Knicks.
Though he'll miss a 33rd consecutive game Monday, Banchero appears to be rapidly closing in on a return, as the Magic are now listing him on the injury report with "return to competition reconditioning" rather than with a torn right oblique. Banchero recently took light contact at practice, and once he gets some full-contact reps under his belt, he'll likely get the green light to play. After Monday's contest, the Magic have two days off before returning to action Thursday versus the Timberwolves.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Participates in drills Friday
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Coach Jamahl Mosley said Friday that Banchero (oblique) did some conditioning and ball handling drills during Friday's practice, Philip Rossman-Reich of OrlandoMagicDaily.com reports.
While Banchero's activity in practice is a positive sign of his progression through a torn right oblique, he'll likely remain sidelined for an extended period as he has yet to move on to contact drills. The star forward hasn't played since sustaining the injury Oct. 30, and a timeline for his return to game action is unclear. With Banchero and Franz Wagner (oblique) sidelined, Moritz Wagner, Jett Howard and Tristan da Silva should continue seeing an uptick in playing time.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Tears oblique, out multiple weeks
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Banchero was diagnosed Thursday with a torn right oblique and will be re-evaluated in 4-to-6 weeks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Banchero had been listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Cleveland after he apparently suffered the abdominal injury in Wednesday's loss to the Bulls, but the star forward will now be headed for an indefinite absence after follow-up tests revealed a more serious injury than anticipated. Charania notes that a firmer timetable for Banchero's return will depend on how he responds to treatment, but fantasy managers can prepare for him to miss at least a month, and likely longer. The Magic don't have an obvious candidate to serve as a 1-for-1 replacement for Banchero, but his absence could open up more minutes for Jett Howard, Anthony Black, Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris and Cole Anthony. Starters Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter could also notice spikes in usage while Banchero is out of the lineup.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Pours in 31 in Chicago
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Banchero logged 31 points (12-22 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 5-7 FT), seven rebounds and four assists over 37 minutes during Wednesday's 102-99 loss to the Bulls.
One game after becoming the first player in the NBA this season to put together a 50-point performance, Banchero was dominant again as he led all scorers on the night. The third-year forward could be ready to rise to superstardom after being the first overall pick in the 2022 Draft, topping 30 points in three of five contests to begin the campaign while averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 boards, 5.6 assists and 2.2 threes.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Career-high 50 points vs. Indiana
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Banchero registered 50 points (16-26 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 15-22 FT), 13 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and one steal over 40 minutes during Monday's 119-115 victory over the Pacers.
Banchero dominated in the first half of Monday's contest, finishing with a 37/7/6 line after 24 minutes. His production slowed down a bit in the third frame, but he paced the Magic in the fourth quarter and earned his 50th point on a free-throw attempt with less than a minute to play. Banchero had a couple of mediocre stat lines after a 33-point outing in the regular-season opener against the Heat on Oct. 23, but the 21-year-old showcased Monday why he was taken No. 1 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Banchero and the Magic will hit the road to take on the Bulls on Wednesday.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Explodes for 33 points in opener
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Banchero notched 33 points (12-24 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 31 minutes during Wednesday's 116-97 victory over the Heat.
Banchero is looking to build on an excellent second season during which he received an All-Star nomination and helped the Magic make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. The double-double was an encouraging sign as the talented front man found double-doubles elusive last season. If he can keep the production going, he could easily exceed his season averages (22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds) from last year.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Fourth-year option picked up
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The Magic announced Friday that they picked up Banchero's fourth-year team option for 2025-26.
Banchero has quickly established himself as one of the best young players in the league after averaging 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 35.0 minutes across 80 regular-season appearances in 2023-24. Banchero is one of the cornerstone pieces of the Magic alongside Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Leading scorer in Game 2 loss
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Banchero notched 21 points (9-20 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block over 41 minutes in Orlando's 96-86 loss to Cleveland in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series.
Banchero led all Orlando players in scoring while handing out a trio of rebounds and assists and swiping a team-high pair of steals in a losing effort in Game 2. Banchero has done all he can to help the Magic in the first two games of the series against the Cavaliers, surpassing the 20-point mark while recording at least three rebounds and steals in both outings.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Leads Orlando in victory
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Banchero registered 24 points (8-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 7-8 FT), six rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes during Sunday's 113-98 win over the Bulls.
Banchero surpassed the 20-point mark for the third consecutive game, and even though he failed to reach the 30-point plateau this time, he still posted an excellent overall performance, leaving his mark in the rebounds and assists columns. Banchero has scored 20 or more points in six of his last nine appearances, a span in which he's averaging 21.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Stuffs stat sheet Saturday
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Banchero closed Saturday's 118-88 victory over the Grizzlies with 13 points (5-12 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and four blocks across 30 minutes.
Wendell Carter turned heads with his impressive double-double, but there's no doubt Banchero made his presence felt on both ends of the court, racking up stats left and right. The second-year forward might have ended a streak of four games with 15 or more points, but Banchero remains extremely valuable in fantasy even in games where his shot isn't falling due to his ability to fill the stat sheet on both ends of the court.