The team announced that the Orlando Magic's rising star, Paolo Banchero, is set to be on the sidelines for an undisclosed period after tearing his right oblique muscle during a recent match against the Chicago Bulls.WFTV reported that Banchero sustained the injury on Wednesday and, despite the pain, managed to remarkably put up 31 points before the severity of his condition was confirmed postgame.
Following the diagnosis, there is a four- to six-week re-evaluation window before any concrete decisions can be made on Banchero's return to play. Amidst hope for a swift recovery, the forward expressed his desire not to be benched for multiple months, aiming instead for a several-week recovery period. "I felt it when it happened," Banchero said, "Didn't know what it was but knew it didn't feel good. Just tried to play through it, wanted to get it looked at after the game, was hoping it wasn't too bad but obviously it was a little worse than I thought," in a statement detailed by the AP News.
Banchero, who led the Magic as the first-round pick of the 2022 NBA Draft, has been pivotal to the team's performance, averaging around 29 points per game. His recent trajectory places him amongst elite companies such as Denver's Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is one of only three players to start the day, averaging upwards of 29 points with 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.
Despite the setback, the Magic's Head Coach, Jamahl Mosley, is optimistic about the situation. "It sucks for him, the way in which he started this year, the way in which he was playing, the way he's carrying us in so many ways. And in the same breath, you have to say it’s an opportunity — it’s an opportunity for guys to step up, step into their role, opportunity for guys to continue to play to our standard of basketball," Mosley said, per AP News. Moreover, the coach highlights the injury as a chance for mental growth for Banchero, who is expected to be still involved with team activities, including attending coaches' meetings and viewing the game from a different perspective while he recovers.
The Magic are next scheduled to face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers, continuing their season in the hope of keeping up their momentum without their leading scorer. The situation is being monitored closely, with the team and Banchero's fans eagerly awaiting his return to the hardwood.
