Paolo Banchero Returns Soon

Orlando, FL—With the Magic losing a Western Conference matchup against Minnesota Timberwolves 104-89 this evening, the team’s energy is still high, and the return of Paolo Banchero is on the near horizon.

First reported by NBA Insider Chris Haynes on Thursday afternoon that Paolo Banchero will be returning from injury tomorrow evening against the Milwaukee Bucks, on the second night of Orlando’s back-to-back games. 

“So, it’s really encouraging for guys who are out (to see) their teammates step up, get wins, still play the right way (and) uphold that standard that we set at the start of the season,” Banchero on his team’s success without him in the lineup. “It’s just really encouraging and makes you excited for when we get back to full strength.”

Injury Report

Once again Orlando had a lengthy injury report as they were missing Paolo Banchero (return to competition conditioning), Franz Wagner (oblique), Moe Wagner (knee), and Gary Harris (hamstring). Minnesota would only be missing rookie guard Robert Dillingham (ankle).

Slow Start for Orlando

The Magic rolled out Cole Anthony, Caleb Houstan, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tristan da Silva, and Goga Bitadze in their starting five tonight.

Orlando not only allowed the Timberwolves to get off to a fast start, but they couldn’t make life easier for themselves missing layups, good looks, and just not converting on offense.

“I think that first quarter got us,” Mosley said on the Magic’s slow start. “I think there was just a lull to the game. We didn’t have the energy that we needed to come out, you know, a back and forth early. We couldn’t put the ball in the hole.”

In the first quarter of play the Magic scored just 18 points while shooting 7 of 22 (31.8%) from the field and 1 of 7 (14.3%) from distance.

Anthony Edwards’ Fast Start

A key emphasis for Jamahl Mosley and his group tonight was going to be slowing down Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards by running him off the line, and they struggled to do just that tonight.

“I mean [he] leads the league in three-point makes,” Jamahl Mosley said on attempting to slow down Anthony Edwards. “I just think you have to make it difficult — With great players, you’re not going to necessarily stop them, you just have to make their job more difficult. If he’s used to shooting a 25-footer, you gotta make him push it out to 28 and 30 [feet].” 

In the Timberwolves’ last three contests, Anthony Edwards has connected on 23 of 39 (58.9%) shots from deep, and he picked up right where he left off tonight. Within the first six minutes of tonight’s contest, Edwards knocked down three shots from behind the arch with ease. 

“Well, again, it was that first quarter that sparked it off,” Jamahl Mosley on the adjustments made on Anthony Edwards. “I mean, he started off a little bit comfortable, and then as we turned it up a little bit, you know, him being able to have to take tough shots, getting him off the line, had a couple of drives to the basket — And then again, that’s why that first quarter is so important to be able to come with energy as well as following the game plan.”

With the contributions of Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and Julius Randle offensively the Timberwolves were able to get off to a fast start and maintain a lead throughout the majority of tonight’s contest. 

The Timberwolves Put the Magic Away

After the Timberwolves led by as much as 13 points at halftime, the Magic opened up on a 14-5 run fueled by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Caleb Houstan to cut the deficit to just five points. 

Anthony Edwards wouldn’t allow Orlando to inch any closer as he continued to extend the lead for the Timberwolves including a highlight-level reel poster dunk over Anthony Black. 

Orlando would continue to scrape and claw their way back into this contest as much as they could but they were outmatched by a much more physical and honestly healthier Minnesota team tonight. The Timberwolves led by as much as 24 points in that fourth quarter and didn’t let up in the slightest.

Final Thoughts and Numbers

For the Magic, four out of their five starters scored in double-figures, but with a lack of bench scoring and shooting the ball poorly, it couldn’t translate to a win. Goga Bitadze led all Magic scorers this evening with 15 points and eight rebounds.

Overall, Orlando didn’t shoot the ball well as they were 33 of 86 (38.4%) from the floor, 10 of 40 (25%) from behind the arch, and just 13 of 19 (68.4%) from the free throw line. The Magic, who are very good at turning teams over, did a poor job this evening as they only generated 10 turnovers that led to 11 points.

The Timberwolves played a well-rounded game on both sides of the ball as Anthony Edwards led the way with 23 points, shot 4 of 11 (36.6%) from deep, and was a game-high +20 in the plus-minus category. Julius Randle led all scorers tonight with a game-high 23 points and he chipped in 10 rebounds. Rudy Gobert had 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Naz Reid had 16 points off the bench to lead the way.

“I mean, we all excited,” Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said on potentially having Banchero back tomorrow. “First and foremost, we want him a hundred percent healthy — I think he’s more excited than us.”

The Magic have an opportunity to quickly wash this game away and get prepared to host the Milwaukee Bucks on the second night of a back-to-back, in a game that Paolo Banchero is likely to return to the court.