Magic's Paolo Banchero: Pours in game-high 30 in win
Rotowire
Banchero amassed 30 points (10-21 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 5-5 FT), five rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal in 32 minutes during Thursday's 131-94 win over Sacramento.
It's the first time since Jan. 28 that Banchero has hit for at least 30 points, and the five made three-pointers were a season high. The fourth-year forward was looking gassed ahead of the All-Star break, averaging 18.2 points, 6.3 boards, 4.2 assists and 1.3 threes through the first six games in February while shooting just 40.0 percent from the floor, but Thursday's performance suggests he could be ready to return to form.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Flirts with triple-double
Rotowire
Banchero closed Saturday's 120-117 victory over the Jazz with 23 points (6-17 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 9-12 FT), seven rebounds, eight assists, one block and three steals in 38 minutes.
The Magic had to work harder than expected to get past the challenge of the Jazz, but Banchero was the driving force for Orlando due to his contributions on both ends of the court. This was Banchero's best scoring output since Jan. 30, when he had 31 points in a win over the Heat. He's now scored at least 20 points in seven of his last nine games, so he's trending in the right direction after the mini-slump he went through earlier in January.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Held in check by OKC
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Banchero finished Tuesday's 128-92 loss to the Thunder with 17 points (6-17 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes.
The Magic offense as a whole struggled against the defending champs, as the team shot just 38.2 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from three-point range, and Banchero's numbers suffered as a result. The fourth-year forward has still scored in double digits in 26 straight games dating back to Dec. 7, and he's drained at least one trey in nine straight contests, averaging 24.0 points, 8.6 boards, 4.7 assists, 1.8 threes and 1.0 steals over that latter stretch.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Another double-double performance
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Banchero logged 20 points (5-11 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 9-11 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal over 41 minutes during the Magic's 130-120 win over the Raptors on Friday.
Banchero scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half and finished as the Magic's fourth-leading scorer. It was his third straight double-double and 16th of the season, and the 2022 first overall pick has been more aggressive with his scoring approach of late, having attempted at least 10 free throws in each of his last five outings. Over his last five games, Banchero has averaged 27.6 points on 51.9 percent shooting along with 8.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 threes over 37.4 minutes per game.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Season-high 37 points in loss
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Banchero finished Monday's 114-98 loss to the Cavaliers with 37 points (13-21 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 9-13 FT), 10 rebounds and four assists over 40 minutes.
Banchero helped the Magic stay in the game in the second half with 23 of his season-high 37 points coming over the last two quarters of Monday's game. He was one of only three Orlando players to score in double digits in the loss. The fourth-year pro has scored at least 20 points in six of his last eight outings, and over that span he has averaged 24.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.6 threes and 0.8 steals over 37.6 minutes per game.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Nets 27 points on 14 shots in loss
Rotowire
Banchero posted 27 points (7-14 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 10-12 FT), five rebounds and two assists across 38 minutes during Saturday's 119-105 loss to the Cavaliers.
After coughing up the ball eight times over his previous two appearances, Banchero did a much better job taking care of it Saturday while also doing an excellent job defensively on Evan Mobley, helping hold Cleveland's star forward to just 13 points on 4-for-14 shooting. However, the end result was another loss for Orlando, and the Magic have now dropped three straight games.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Leads Magic with 23 points
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Banchero chipped in 23 points (6-12 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 9-12 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and one steal in 30 minutes during Thursday's 124-97 loss to the Hornets.
Banchero turned in a solid offensive showing, but it wasn't nearly enough as the Magic were out of the game by the end of the third quarter. The Duke product has put up 20-plus points in three of his last four appearances and is averaging 22.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.5 steals during that stretch.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Double-double in win over Memphis
Rotowire
Banchero had 26 points (9-16 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists and four steals across 37 minutes during Thursday's 118-111 victory over the Grizzlies.
The double-double was Banchero's 13th of the season, including six in the last nine games, while the four steals Thursday were a season high. Over that stretch, the fourth-year forward is averaging 24.2 points, 10.3 boards, 6.0 assists, 1.4 threes, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Teases triple-double Sunday
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Banchero finished Sunday's 128-118 victory over the Pelicans with 23 points (7-16 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 9-10 FT), eight rebounds, eight assists, one block and one steal over 39 minutes.
The eight assists represented Banchero's best distribution numbers in January, while the fourth-year forward scored more than 20 points for the sixth time in the last eight games. Over that span, he's averaging 24.0 points, 10.0 boards, 6.3 assists, 1.1 threes and 0.9 blocks.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Teases triple-double Friday
Rotowire
Banchero produced 14 points (6-18 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, seven assists and one block in 37 minutes during Friday's 103-91 loss to the 76ers.
The fourth-year forward came up a few dimes shy of his fifth career triple-double, instead settling for his 12th double-double of the season. Five of those double-doubles have come in the last seven games, a stretch in which Banchero is averaging 24.1 points, 10.3 boards, 6.0 assists, 1.3 threes and 0.9 blocks while shooting 50.8 percent from the floor.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Sits out fourth quarter in loss
Rotowire
Banchero ended with 14 points (5-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-5 FT), four rebounds and four assists in 25 minutes during Tuesday's 120-112 loss to the Wizards.
Banchero played just seven minutes in the second half and did not see the floor in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's loss to the Wizards. Orlando erased a 26-point deficit with the bench unit in the game, prompting head coach Jamahl Mosley to ride the hot hand and limit Banchero and other starters' minutes down the stretch. It marked the 23-year-old forward's fewest minutes since one of his first games back from an early-season groin injury in New York on Dec. 7. He entered Tuesday with strong numbers over the past four appearances, averaging 27.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals over 36 minutes per game.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Big double-double in win
Rotowire
Banchero produced 28 points (9-18 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 7-9 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists and one steal in 36 minutes during Sunday's 135-127 victory over the Pacers.
The fourth-year star topped 20 points for a fourth straight game and for the eighth time in the last 11 contests. Over that latter stretch, Banchero is averaging 22.1 points, 9.5 boards, 5.9 assists and 1.4 combined steals-plus-blocks. He's also finding a bit of a rhythm from long range, knocking down multiple three-pointers in three of his last four outings while shooting 7-for-15 from beyond the arc.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Triple-double in Monday's loss
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Banchero posted 23 points (9-19 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 15 rebounds, 10 assists and one block over 38 minutes during the Magic's 107-106 loss to the Raptors on Monday.
Banchero did the majority of his scoring in the first half and filled up the box score in the second, leading the Magic in rebounds and assists while finishing second in scoring behind Anthony Black (27 points). It was Banchero's second triple-double of the season, both of which have come over his last seven outings. Since Dec. 5, he has averaged 18.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists over 33.6 minutes per game.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Leads team with 21/12 double-double
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Banchero closed Monday's 120-97 loss to the Warriors with 21 points (7-19 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 7-8 FT), 12 rebounds and seven assists across 34 minutes.
Banchero's work off the glass helped offset a mediocre shooting night, finishing tied with Quinten Post for a game-high 12 rebounds. Banchero's numbers rose quickly after his 10-game absence, but his production has plateaued over the last three games, averaging 23.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists over the span. With Franz Wagner (ankle) out for at least a few more weeks, Banchero will need to carry Orlando's offense.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Scores 18 points in win
Rotowire
Banchero closed with 18 points (5-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 6-7 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one block across 32 minutes during Tuesday's 117-108 win over the Heat.
While it was reported pregame that Banchero would remain on an unspecified minutes restriction in his third outing following a 10-game absence due to a groin strain, the star forward saw a significant bump in playing time during Tuesday's NBA Cup quarterfinals victory. He finished as Orlando's third-leading scorer and hit multiple triples for a second consecutive contest. The Magic may continue to monitor the 23-year-old's minutes moving forward, though he appears to be trending in the right direction in terms of taking on a full workload on a regular basis.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Ramps up workload Sunday
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Banchero finished with 16 points (4-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), one rebound and two assists over 24 minutes during Sunday's 106-100 loss to the Knicks.
After playing 20 minutes Friday in his return from a 10-game absence due to a groin issue, Banchero saw his workload tick up Sunday, and he responded by being a little more productive on offense, with his three three-pointers tying his season high. Jalen Suggs (leg) and Franz Wagner (lower leg) both left Sunday's game early and didn't return, and depending on the severity of their injuries, the Magic may not be able to afford to bring Banchero along as slowly as they'd like. In the 11 games prior to suffering his injury Nov. 12, Banchero had averaged 23.3 points, 9.1 boards, 4.3 assists, 1.0 threes and 1.6 combined steals and blocks, numbers the team might need him to start producing again as soon as possible.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Will be limited Friday
Rotowire
Head coach Jamahl Mosley said Banchero (groin) will play on a minutes restriction in Friday's game against the Heat, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Mosley did not specify how many minutes Banchero would be limited to following his 10-game absence due to a left groin strain, though the star forward will seemingly be eased back into action. Still, his return will likely mean fewer minutes for the likes of Tristan da Silva, Jett Howard and Noah Penda. In his first 11 regular-season appearances, Banchero averaged 23.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals-plus-blocks in 34.7 minutes per contest.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Chance to return Friday
Rotowire
Banchero (groin) is questionable for Friday's game against the Heat, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Banchero hasn't played since Nov. 12 and had been limited to non-contact work as of earlier this week, but it appears he's nearing a return to game action. Even if Banchero is cleared to play Friday, he'll likely face heavy restrictions. In his first 11 games this season, Banchero averaged 23.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals-plus-blocks in 34.7 minutes.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Out again Wednesday
Rotowire
Banchero (groin) will not play Wednesday against the Spurs.
Banchero continues to be ruled out a day in advance of games and has yet to be cleared for contact. This will mark his 10th straight game on the shelf, and he remains without a timetable for a return. Coach Jamahl Mosley said Banchero is "still doing a lot of non-contact things" and they "continue to see and monitor how he responds to each treatment each day." It sounds like fantasy managers can treat Banchero as week-to-week until he ramps up activity during practice.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Won't play Friday
Rotowire
Banchero (groin) is listed as out for Friday's game against the Pistons.
Banchero will be sidelined for an eighth straight game. The Magic continue to rule him out a day in advance of games, suggesting he's still week-to-week.
