ORLANDO, Fla. — Paolo Banchero is on the verge of returning to the court, as the forward for the Orlando Magic is optimistic about being able to play again in the next couple of weeks.

The team announced on Friday that Banchero, who earned an All-Star selection last season, has progressed to the “return to competition reconditioning” stage in his recovery from a torn oblique muscle. This injury has kept him out of 28 of the Magic’s 33 games thus far this season.

Banchero has indicated that the tear has healed. “I’ve been focusing on extensive rehabilitation and increasing my conditioning, getting my body ready for game play,” Banchero stated on Friday prior to the matchup against the New York Knicks. “It’s been over 30 days since I last really exerted myself, so I need to gradually get my body back into the competitive mindset, and I’m currently in that process.”

While there is no exact date for his comeback, things seem to be progressing well, assuming there are no setbacks. Banchero has not played since his injury on October 30 in Chicago, where he had been having a standout season—averaging 29 points per game, which placed him seventh in the league at the time of his injury, alongside 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.

“It’s very motivating to see the effort he’s putting in,” remarked Magic coach Jamahl Mosley.

After Banchero’s injury, the Magic struggled with four consecutive losses but later rebounded, led by Franz Wagner. Unfortunately for the Magic, Wagner then sustained a similar injury to Banchero’s earlier this month, halting what had been a promising start to his season that could have led to an All-Star bid.

Banchero reflected on seeing Wagner go down with an injury, saying, “I felt a sense of dread while watching the game. When I saw him clutching his side, it reminded me too much of my own experience in Chicago.”

Though there are still aspects of his rehabilitation he has yet to complete—such as dunking, participating in competitive 5-on-5 games, or fully engaging in practice—Banchero has noted that he feels renewed strength in his legs and is managing fatigue, a crucial step towards receiving the green light to play again.

“After being sidelined for so long, you really start missing the game,” he shared. “So, I’m eager to get back on the court and contribute.”