Banchero’s Return to the Court

Orlando, FL— After a two-month hiatus recovering from a torn oblique, Paolo Banchero has returned to the court in dominant fashion.

Suffering the first major injury of his young basketball career, Banchero has been recovering for the past two months, which has presented new challenges and opportunities. 

Before Orlando played host to Minnesota on Thursday evening, Paolo told Magic reporters at shootaround how he had spent the last two months off the court.

“Honestly I leaned on my teammates, my friends, family,” Banchero said. “Honestly the time flew by. I remember first getting hurt being like, ‘You know, it’s going to be a long, long time to be out,’ but honestly, I can say the time went by fast and I’m just happy to be at this point.”

It was later reported by NBA Insider Chris Haynes that Paolo Banchero will be returning from injury on Friday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, on the second night of Orlando’s back-to-back games. 

Paolo Banchero in his second game back against the Philadelphia 76ers plays amazingly and is back to his dominant self

Banchero’s Highly Anticipated Return

The big day had arrived as Banchero was set to return to the floor and Jamahl Mosley and his group couldn’t have been any more ecstatic.

“Well I’m excited for him,” Mosley said. “Our guys are excited to have him back on the court, being out there with his brothers which we always talk about — I’m just happy for him, for all the work he’s put in, just to be able to get back out here in front of our home fans.”

Paolo almost seamlessly returned to the court playing at an exceptionally high level and was going toe-to-toe with two heavyweights Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

Banchero came out with vengeance and showed the world once again why he’s one of the best players in the game of basketball. Paolo had an amazing game against the Bucks in just 26 minutes of play, recording 34 points, seven rebounds, and knocking down 5 of 8 (62.5%) of his shots from deep. Banchero scored 15 of his 34 in that final period of play as Orlando ultimately fell just short of victory.

“He is a great player. Obviously, he plays at a very, very high level,” Giannis said of Banchero. “A guy who can operate on all three levels… Happy that he is back healthy. Obviously, Orlando is a very, very dangerous team.”

Former Magic coach Doc Rivers who is now leading the charge in Milwaukee chimed in and praised Banchero in his return.

“It was great,” Rivers said. “I tell you, it’s good to be young because you miss that many games and you come out with 34 points, seven rebounds. And I bet he missed five shots that he would love to have over again. And that was unbelievable by him.” 

Paolo Continues Phenomenal Play

Before the Magic’s Sunday matchup against Philadelphia, Sixers Head Coach Nick Nurse spoke glowingly on Paolo Banchero’s 34-point performance versus Milwaukee on Friday night.

“Guys that can do that are real players, man. They’re hoopers that when they get in the game, their game speaks for itself — He’s a ball player, he was really good the other night.”

Banchero may not have had the ‘dominant’ performance against the Sixers like he did against the Bucks, but he still made a huge impact paving the way for an Orlando victory. Finishing the evening with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Banchero cashed in at the free throw line converting on 9 of 11 (81.8%), which ultimately was the difference in the game.

“I thought he was great,” Jamahl Mosley on Paolo’s performance. “There were times in the game where they were throwing different defenses at him — He kept a great poise about him and he was always trying to make the right play.”

Paolo Performing like an All-Star

Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey gave Paolo his flowers after a hard-fought battle with the Magic. 

“Paolo is Paolo. He is an All-Star for a reason,” Maxey said. “Great player and it is good for basketball that he is back playing.”

After his performance versus the Philadelphia 76ers, Banchero now has the third most 20/5/5 games by a forward before turning 23 years old in NBA history, as he trails only LeBron James & Giannis Antetokounmpo.

In his two games back for the Magic Banchero is averaging 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and shooting a blistering 6 of 10 (60%) from behind the arch. 

Banchero hasn’t skipped a beat and is back to playing at an All-Star level.