Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been diagnosed with a torn right oblique, following further testing in Cleveland, as announced by Jeff Weltman, President of Basketball Operations for the Magic. Banchero, who sustained the injury during the fourth quarter of Orlando’s October 30 game in Chicago, is now out indefinitely. His return will hinge on his response to treatment, with a re-evaluation scheduled in four to six weeks.
The 6-foot-10, 250-pound standout has had an impressive start to the season, playing in five games where he’s averaged 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists across 36.4 minutes per game. Banchero has consistently led the team, topping or tying in scoring three times, rebounding twice, and assists three times. His season includes several scoring feats, highlighted by a career-best 50-point performance on October 28 against Indiana, marking him as the fourth player in Magic history to achieve a 50-point game.
At just 21 years and 351 days old, Banchero became the youngest in franchise history to score over 50 points in a game, and the second-youngest in NBA history to record 50 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a single outing, a record held by LeBron James at 20 years and 80 days.
Last season, Banchero averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, leading the Magic in all three categories at just 21 years and 154 days old—an NBA record. His impressive rookie year earned him the 2022-23 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year title and a unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Selected first overall by Orlando Magic in the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero has been a consistent presence, starting all 157 of his NBA games and holding career averages of 21.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists over 34.5 minutes per game. As the Magic navigate the season without their young star, all eyes are on his recovery and potential return to the court.
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