Orlando Magic Star Paolo Banchero Set to Return

Orlando Magic star Power Forward Paolo Banchero is set to return to action in one of the Magic’s back-to-back home games on Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves or Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks, sources told ESPN. Banchero, 22, is an American-Italian NBA player who played NCAA basketball at Duke University from 2021-2022. Banchero, a Seattle, Washington, native, was selected first overall by the Magic in 2022.

Banchero has been out of the Magic’s starting lineup since October 30, 2024, with a torn oblique strain following a red-hot start to the 2024-25 NBA season. The Magic are expected to upgrade Banchero to questionable in an upcoming injury report. Banchero fully participated in the Magic’s practice on Wednesday. Read on for further details surrounding Banchero’s return later this week.  

Paolo Banchero’s Injury 

On Wednesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania posted on X, formerly Twitter, “Magic star Paolo Banchero is expected to return to action in one of Orlando’s back-to-back home games Thursday versus Minnesota or Friday versus Milwaukee, sources tell ESPN. Banchero has been out since Oct. 30 due to a torn oblique after a monster start to the season.”

Charania’s post on X was great news and a step in the right direction for the Magic. On Monday, the Magic last won 103-94 over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Cole Anthony led the Magic’s scoring with 24 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 37 minutes of play. Banchero’s ability to defend and guard from all positions could improve the Magic’s play in the coming days. 

Banchero’s Stats

Paolo Banchero’s stats have been impressive this season. Before his injury, Banchero ranked seventh in the NBA with an average of 29.0 points per game, while shooting 49.5% from the field and 34.4% from the three-point line. He also averaged 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists. He has shown scoring talent throughout his professional career.

Paolo Banchero became the second-youngest player in NBA history to score at least 50 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a game, trailing just veteran NBA star Small Forward LeBron James. Banchero scored a career-high 50 points in a 119-115 win over the Indiana Pacers on October 28, 2024. James, now 40, accomplished the feat against the Toronto Raptors in 2005. 

Orlando Magic’s Next Steps

The Orlando Magic’s next steps would be to maintain fourth place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings and win Thursday’s home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves starting at 6:00 p.m. Central. The Magic, whose current record is 22-16, treaded water without Paolo Banchero and Small Forward Franz Wagner to torn oblique injuries but would be a bit better with two wins in a row.

The Magic could beat the Timberwolves, whose current record is 19-17, but this could be a tall order on Thursday. The Timberwolves have won two straight games, a 104-97 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday and a 108-106 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. The Magic must capitalize on home-court advantage as they’re 13-5 at home and increase their total three-pointers as they average 11.5 three-pointers per game.