Orlando’s Superstars in the Making

Orlando, FL— Although the Orlando Magic have had a disappointing season up to this moment in time, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero have been nothing short of sensational. 

Banchero and Wagner Before Injury

Before both players went down with an oblique injury that sidelined them for a significant amount of time, they were playing at such a high level and it appeared as if they were well on their way to an All-NBA roster selection.

Just five games into the 2024-25 season Banchero suffered a torn oblique in Chicago that would sideline him for the next 34 consecutive games. In those five games before injury, Banchero was averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while shooting an effective 49.5% from the floor and 34.4% from deep.

Franz Wagner on the other hand did a great job of keeping this Magic team afloat in the absence of the Banchero earning him his first NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week back in November. In 20 games without Banchero, Wagner averaged 26.1 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.0 rebounds, shooting 45.7% from the field and 30.5% from behind the arch.

When Wagner and Banchero would return from injury, the team was supposed to take off and ascend to the top of the East, but that’s been far from the case. Since the return of Banchero the Magic are 9-19, and 8-14 since Wagner’s return. 

It was unfair to expect both Wagner and Banchero to come back 100 percent and hit the ground running after suffering serious abdominal injuries. Although the team record since the All-Star break isn’t great, 4-7, Banchero and Wagner have bounced back in a big way as of late. 

Banchero’s Numbers Post All-Star Break

According to Statmuse, since the All-Star break, Paolo Banchero has been averaging 28.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 48.6/36.2/78.2 splits. Wagner since the All-Star break is averaging 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, on 47.6/23.9/81.3 splits. 

According to NBA Advanced Stats and Research Information in the 11 games since the break Banchero’s advanced numbers have continued to get better. In 35.3 minutes a game Banchero has a 110.7 offensive rating, 109.8 defensive rating, a 60.8 TS%, and the eighth highest USG% in the NBA at 32.1 percent over that span. 

Banchero’s shooting during this stretch has been outstanding, showcasing his efficiency scoring on all three levels. In terms of shot distance, he’s converting at a high rate: 67.5% from inside 8 feet, 40.4% from 8-16 feet, and 36.8% from both 16-24 feet and beyond 24 feet.

In terms of the shot area, he’s still shooting the ball at a high clip: 73.7% from the restricted area, 46.3% in the paint (NON-RA), 37.8% from the mid-range, 50% from the right corner 3, and 35.9% from 3 at the top of the key.

Wagner’s Numbers Post All-Star Break

Moving over to Franz Wagner now, he’s been nothing short of sensational alongside Banchero. In the 11 games since the break Wagner is averaging 35.8 minutes, has a 113.5 offensive rating, 108.5 defensive rating, a 54.1 TS%, and a USG% of 27.8%. 

Wagner’s shooting in terms of shot distance has been rather effective: 59.4% from inside 8 feet, 42.9% from 8-16 feet, 27.0% from 16-24 feet, and 30.7% from beyond 24 feet.

In terms of the shot area, Wagner has still been efficient: 66.1% from the restricted area, 46.5% in the paint (NON-RA), 38.1% from the mid-range, 43.5% from the left corner 3, 41.7% from the right corner 3, and 28.9% from 3 at the top of the key.

Final Thoughts

In the postseason last year, Wagner and Banchero solidified themselves as one of the best young duos in the game of basketball. We are now seeing them take that next ascension within their games and finally start to put those pieces together.

If they didn’t get injured this season, the Magic would more than likely be firmly in the playoff race, and they both would’ve been well on their way to being selected to an All-NBA roster.