Paolo Banchero is facing a significant setback, as he will be sidelined for several weeks due to a torn right oblique. The injury occurred during the Orlando Magic’s recent loss to the Chicago Bulls and was confirmed after diagnostic tests on Thursday. As a result, Banchero missed Friday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which marks a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference first-round series between the two teams.
“I knew something wasn’t right when it happened,” Banchero shared on Friday in Cleveland during a press conference following Orlando’s shootaround. “I just didn’t know the severity. I tried to push through it, hoping I could get it checked afterward, but it’s worse than I initially thought.” He expressed his disappointment at the timing of the injury, especially given his stellar performance this season.
Prior to this injury, Banchero was enjoying an incredible season, averaging 29 points per game, which ranked him seventh in the league. He joined the elite ranks of players such as Nikola Jokic from Denver and Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee, who were the only others averaging over 29 points, along with impressive stats of 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists.
“It’s unfortunate, plain and simple,” said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “This is tough for him, especially considering how well he’s been playing and what he means to the team. However, it also opens up chances for other players to step up and contribute.” The team has indicated that Banchero will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks. If he misses the maximum six weeks, he would be absent for at least 21 games and likely disqualified for most end-of-season awards due to new guidelines implemented last season.
“Here’s hoping it’s only a six-week issue, not something that keeps me out for months,” Banchero remarked. “I want to stay engaged and keep a positive outlook, taking it one day at a time to prepare for my return.” He had recently scored a career-high 50 points in a game against the Indiana Pacers, making it the first and only 50-point performance in the NBA this season before his injury.
Banchero sustained the injury during the fourth quarter of the game against the Bulls, finishing that match with 31 points. Coach Mosley mentioned that Banchero plans to travel with the team while recovering and will participate in some coaches’ meetings. This arrangement will allow last season’s rookie of the year and No. 1 overall draft pick to gain new insights from a different perspective of the game.
“This situation can serve as a different kind of growth opportunity for him,” Mosley stated. “While he won’t partake in physical activities, he can mentally engage with the game, attending coaches’ meetings and learning from a different viewpoint.”