Watch out for the Orlando Magic.
On Wednesday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that star forward Paolo Banchero is set to make his return.
The Magic (22-16, fourth in Eastern Conference) have successfully withstood Banchero’s injury. Over the past month they’ve notched wins against the Celtics (27-10, second in Eastern Conference) and, most recently, the Knicks (24-14, third in Eastern Conference) on Monday.
But having Banchero (oblique) return for the season’s second half will be a huge boost to a team that could be the biggest Eastern Conference sleeper.
Per Stathead, he’s one of nine players with a 50-point game this season. He was the first to hit the mark in a 119-115 win over the Pacers on Oct. 28. Through the first five games of the season, Banchero averaged 29 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists.
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft, hasn’t played since Oct. 30, when he scored 31 points in a 102-99 loss to the Bulls (17-19, 10th in Eastern Conference).
Charania wrote that Banchero is expected to return during Orlando’s upcoming home back-to-back — against the Timberwolves (Thursday, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV) or Bucks (Friday, 7 p.m. ET).
Banchero will provide an immediate scoring boost to a Magic squad that is last in the league in scoring (105.2 points per game)
The Magic have relied on their outstanding defense to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference. They rank second in the league in points allowed per game (103.2) and play at the league’s slowest pace.
Arguably, no team has been more negatively impacted by injuries this season. Orlando ranks first in wins above replacement (WAR) lost due to players being unavailable.
In December, forward Franz Wagner’s breakout season was cut short after he suffered an oblique injury against the 76ers, and the team hasn’t provided a timetable for his return.
The Magic are also without center Moritz Wagner (torn ACL) for the rest of the regular season. Shooting guards Gary Harris (hamstring) and Jalen Suggs (back) missed Orlando’s Monday win against the Knicks.
If Banchero’s forthcoming return from his months-long absence is the first of many positive injury updates, Orlando could be headed for a big second half to the season.
