In his first NBA season, Paolo Banchero was named Kia Rookie of the Year. In his second NBA season, he earned an All-Star selection while leading the Magic to their first Playoff appearance since 2019-20.

Friday’s contest between the Magic and Bucks marked the first time Paolo Banchero and Tristan da Silva took the court together. “He’s just a really cerebral player,”

Banchero has been out since before Halloween with a torn oblique but is expected to return Thursday (Timberwolves) or Friday (Bucks).

Banchero’s 29-point average ranked seventh in the league before his injury, and he was also averaging 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists.

Banchero has missed the Magic's last 33 games, and he will reportedly miss a 34th on when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. On the official injury report, he is still listed as "questionable" for that game, as of Thursday afternoon.

The Magic's franchise player thrived in his return from an oblique injury, though it wasn't enough for the win.

Paolo Banchero will play on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Orlando Magic announced. Banchero has not seen game action since tearing his oblique in October. He missed 34 games due to the injury.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) reacts after making shot against the Milwaukee Bucks during the ...

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero reminisced Friday on X about playing pickup basketball at Duke with Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. "We used to get it in at the indoor football field too ...

Cole Anthony scored 27 points and Paolo Banchero netted seven points in the final 1:32 to help the Orlando Magic beat the Philadelphia 76ers 104-99 in the NBA on Monday (January 13, 2025). Banchero finished with 20 points,

The key for Denver is stringing together as many victories in a row as they can, and Orlando is a great test. The Nuggets might relax because they see the health of Orlando at this current moment, but last season in a similar situation, the Nuggets let go of the rope against the Magic and paid the price in crunch time.

Orlando Magic star Power Forward Paolo Banchero is set to return to action in one of the Magic’s back-to-back home games on Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves or Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks,