Magic's Paolo Banchero: Struggles with foul trouble in loss
Rotowire
Banchero ended Tuesday's 120-89 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 19 points (6-15 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-7 FT), nine rebounds and six assists in 30 minutes.
Banchero took a seat after drawing his fifth foul in the third quarter, and the Magic fell out of contention while he sat for the remainder of the stanza. The Magic were unable to recover from the third-quarter beatdown, and Banchero's numbers suffered as a result. The third-year pro appeared in only 46 games after solid attendance over his first two seasons, but he averaged career highs in points (25.9) and rebounds (7.5) despite the many absences.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Leads all scorers in Game 1 loss
Rotowire
Banchero closed Sunday's 103-86 loss to the Celtics in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 36 points (14-27 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 42 minutes.
Banchero did everything he could to get the Magic over the line, leading all scorers in what was ultimately a losing effort. While both Banchero and Franz Wagner had strong performances, they received very little in the way of help. The remaining three starters combined for just 10 points, something they will need to rectify should they have any hope of ousting the Celtics.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Off injury report for Tuesday
Rotowire
Banchero (ankle) isn't listed on the injury report for Tuesday's Play-In Game against the Hawks.
Banchero is set to return to game action after missing the club's last two regular-season games due to right ankle soreness. The star forward has scored 30 or more points in six of his last 10 appearances, averaging 28.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.7 three-pointers across 34.8 minutes per contest in that 10-game span.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Won't play vs. Atlanta
Rotowire
Banchero (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks.
Banchero is among many notable players who have been ruled out around the league for the last day of the NBA regular season. Orlando will likely turn to Caleb Houstan, Jonathan Isaac and Tristan da Silva to help shoulder the load in the frontcourt in Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Questionable to face Atlanta
Rotowire
Banchero (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Hawks, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Banchero did not play in Friday's 129-115 win over the Pacers due to right ankle soreness. He'll likely have his minutes restricted or not play at all Sunday, given that Orlando is locked in as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference standings. Banchero's absence would mean more minutes for Jonathan Isaac, Caleb Houstan, Tristan da Silva and Jett Howard.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Ruled out against Indiana
Rotowire
Banchero (ankle) won't play in Friday's game versus the Pacers.
Banchero has been downgraded from questionable to out due to right ankle soreness. Caleb Houstan, Jonathan Isaac and Tristan da Silva are all candidates to receive increased playing time in Banchero's absence. Banchero's next chance to suit up is Sunday's regular-season finale against Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Iffy for Friday
Rotowire
Banchero (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Pacers.
Banchero is dealing with soreness in his right ankle, which could keep him sidelined in Indiana on Friday. If the rising star doesn't ultimately get ruled out, the Magic will likely turn to Caleb Houstan, Jonathan Isaac and Tristan da Silva to help shoulder the load in the frontcourt.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Balanced outing in blowout victory
Rotowire
Banchero recorded 15 points (6-17 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six assists and four rebounds over 29 minutes in Wednesday's 96-76 win over Boston.
Banchero put forth a balanced outing in Wednesday's blowout contest, leading all players in assists while finishing as one of three Magic players with 15 or more points in a winning effort. Banchero has recorded at least 15 points and six assists in four of his last eight contests, including in two of his last three appearances.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Game-high 26 points in defeat
Rotowire
Banchero provided 26 points (8-23 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 9-9 FT), six rebounds and four assists across 36 minutes during Monday's 96-87 loss to the Clippers.
Banchero finished with a game-high 26 points in Monday's low-scoring affair, marking his 17th straight game with at least 20 points. However, the star forward struggled with efficiency, especially from beyond the arc. Over his last five outings, Banchero has shot only 21.9 percent from three-point range. The 22-year-old forward has still averaged 29.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists across 35.8 minutes per contest during that five-game span.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Extends scoring streak
Rotowire
Banchero recorded 35 points (13-21 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 8-12 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists and one steal in 38 minutes during Thursday's 101-92 loss to the Mavericks.
Banchero reached the 30-point mark for a fifth consecutive game, and the star forward now owns the league's longest streak of games with at least 30 points. He's been playing at a very high level in recent weeks and is firmly entrenched as the team's go-to scoring and playmaking option. Fantasy managers who have trusted Banchero all season long are certainly reaping the benefits of his play right when the fantasy playoffs are in full swing in most formats. The star big man is averaging 30.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game since the beginning of November.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Extends impressive stretch
Rotowire
Banchero logged 32 points (13-24 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and one steal over 36 minutes during Tuesday's 111-104 win over Charlotte.
Banchero and Franz Wagner have been carrying the Magic on offense of late, but the former has been one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA over the last two weeks. This was his fourth consecutive outing with at least 30 points, and he's achieved that mark in six of his past seven appearances, averaging a robust 32.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game over that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Pours in 30 points in win
Rotowire
Banchero registered 30 points (9-17 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 10-12 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block in 40 minutes during Monday's 118-106 victory over the Lakers.
The star forward finished as the club's second-leading scorer behind Franz Wagner (32 points) Monday. Banchero has scored at least 30 points in five of his last six outings, and he hasn't scored fewer than 20 points since Feb. 25. Additionally, Banchero found success getting to the charity stripe, and he put up double-digit free-throw attempts for the third time in his last four appearances.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Big double-double in road win
Rotowire
Banchero closed Thursday's 113-93 victory over the Pelicans with 34 points (14-22 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, one block and four steals over 34 minutes.
The double-double was the fifth of the season for Banchero, who topped 30 points for the fourth time in 11 games since the All-Star break, while the four steals tied his season high. Over that stretch, the third-year forward has averaged 28.6 points, 6.8 boards, 4.2 assists, 2.3 threes and 1.3 steals as he tries to keep an injury-plagued Orlando squad afloat.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Scores 29 points in tight win
Rotowire
Banchero finished with 29 points (9-16 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 7-10 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one steal over 37 minutes during Saturday's 111-109 victory over Milwaukee.
Banchero didn't come close to a double-double like he did Thursday in the loss to the Bulls, but he extended his impressive scoring stretch while lifting the Magic to a tight win. Banchero has reached the 20-point mark in his last six games, and he's posted 25-plus points four times over that stretch. Banchero should remain as the Magic's go-to option on offense if healthy, even ahead of Franz Wagner, and the numbers back him up since the end of the All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Team-high 41 points not enough
Rotowire
Banchero registered 41 points (16-27 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 5-8 FT), six rebounds, five assists and two steals over 36 minutes during Thursday's 121-115 loss to Golden State.
Banchero got the Magic off on the right foot Thursday, scoring 24 points on 10 of 12 shooting in the first half to help the team lead by as much as 17 points. Banchero cooled off in the third quarter with just four points, and while he had a strong 13-point outing in the fourth frame, it wasn't enough to match Stephen Curry's 56-point eruption. Banchero's 41 points were his second-most of the season, and his 16 made field goals tied a season-best mark from Oct. 28. Banchero and the Magic will look to get back in the win column against the Raptors on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Scores 19 points in win Sunday
Rotowire
Banchero amassed 19 points (5-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 8-9 FT), five rebounds, five assists and one block in 30 minutes during Sunday's 110-90 win over the Wizards.
Banchero saw the end of his stretch of games with at least 20 points Sunday, but the star forward still posted a solid stat line across the board. Banchero opened the month of February with a nine-point dud against the Jazz, but he's posted solid numbers overall over the last few weeks. In 10 games this month, Banchero is averaging 21.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists across 32.5 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Struggles from field in loss
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Delivers 34 points in return
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Officially good to go
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Officially questionable for Friday
Rotowire
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.
