In 2023-24, the Orlando Magic have been a younger workforce that was nonetheless constructing chemistry. They completed with a 47-35 report and made the postseason. Orlando went to Recreation 7 within the first spherical towards Cleveland however they misplaced. The Magic wanted that kind of playoff expertise for his or her younger core of gamers.
By the primary 5 video games of the 2024-25 season, Orlando is 3-2. On Wednesday night time, the Magic was on the street to face the Chicago Bulls, Throughout that recreation, all-star PF Paolo Banchero suffered a torn proper indirect. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Banchero is sidelined indefinitely and shall be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks. Orlando is shedding their greatest participant early within the 12 months and must adapt with out Banchero within the lineup.
Paolo Banchero is out indefinitely for the Magic with a torn indirect
Devastating damage for Banchero and loss for the Magic. Banchero had been blossoming, averaging almost 29 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for 3-2 Orlando and changing into the second-youngest participant in NBA historical past with a 50-point, 10-rebound, 5-assist line behind LeBron James. https://t.co/6dUgV95XMF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 1, 2024
Earlier this week, Paolo Banchero had a career-high 50 factors in a win vs. the Indiana Pacers. The 21-year-old had 50 factors, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. He’s the second-youngest participant in league historical past to perform that feat. Sadly, Banchero tore his proper indirect vs. the Bulls on Wednesday and is out indefinitely. Orlando is now with out a participant who was averaging almost 30 factors per recreation to start the 2024-25 season.
Whereas Banchero misses time, a number of gamers are going to wish to step up and assist the workforce win video games. Small ahead Franz Wagner must carry the scoring load offensively for the Magic. Banchero was averaging (29.0) factors per recreation in 2024-25. Wagner is the subsequent closest at (17.8). Final season, he averaged (19.7) factors per recreation for the Magic and his averages will possible creep again up towards the twenties for scoring. Moreover, Jalen Suggs is averaging (16.8) factors per recreation this season. That could be a career-high for the PG and Orlando hopes he can sustain these scoring numbers. It’s going to take a concerted workforce effort to win as many video games as potential whereas Paolo Banchero is out.