Magic's Paolo Banchero: Struggles with foul trouble in loss
Rotowire
Banchero ended Tuesday's 120-89 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 19 points (6-15 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-7 FT), nine rebounds and six assists in 30 minutes.
Banchero took a seat after drawing his fifth foul in the third quarter, and the Magic fell out of contention while he sat for the remainder of the stanza. The Magic were unable to recover from the third-quarter beatdown, and Banchero's numbers suffered as a result. The third-year pro appeared in only 46 games after solid attendance over his first two seasons, but he averaged career highs in points (25.9) and rebounds (7.5) despite the many absences.
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Leads Orlando with 31 points
Rotowire
Banchero closed Sunday's 107-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 31 points (12-32 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 5-9 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one block over 40 minutes.
Banchero continues to have himself a strong playoff series, albeit in what could very well end up being a losing effort. At this point, Orlando doesn't have the depth to match it with the Celtics. Injuries have resulted in the coaching staff being forced into some tough decisions, the most notable being that Cory Joseph is starting. Both Banchero and Franz Wagner are going to have to play out of their skins in Game 5 should they have any hopes of sending the series back to Orlando.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Lifts Magic to victory
Rotowire
Banchero closed Friday's 95-93 victory over the Celtics in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 29 points (10-25 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 7-8 FT), six rebounds, one assist and two steals across 42 minutes.
Banchero scored at least 29 points for the third straight game, this time doing just enough to get them over the line. Both he and Franz Wagner have put their best foot forward thus far, carrying the Magic on the offensive end. Orlando will be hoping for a repeat performance when the two teams meet again in Game 4 on Sunday.
Banchero amassed 32 points (12-25 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 6-11 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in 43 minutes during Wednesday's 109-100 loss to Boston in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Banchero led all scorers in Game 1 with 36 points (14-27 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 42 minutes, but he was outdone by Jaylen Brown this time around -- Brown had 36 points for Boston. Despite being down 2-0, Banchero has been a force in this series with 34.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.5 blocks and 3.0 three-pointers.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Leads all scorers in Game 1 loss
Rotowire
Banchero closed Sunday's 103-86 loss to the Celtics in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 36 points (14-27 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 42 minutes.
Banchero did everything he could to get the Magic over the line, leading all scorers in what was ultimately a losing effort. While both Banchero and Franz Wagner had strong performances, they received very little in the way of help. The remaining three starters combined for just 10 points, something they will need to rectify should they have any hope of ousting the Celtics.
Magic's Paolo Banchero: All-around effort against Atlanta
Rotowire
Banchero finished Tuesday's 120-95 Play-In win over the Hawks with 17 points (4-13 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 9-11 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal in 33 minutes.
Banchero didn't have a particularly efficient night from the field, but he managed to get the majority of his points from the free-throw line while flirting with a triple-double. The 2022 first-overall pick dominated down the stretch of the regular season, having averaged 29.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.0 steals across 36.1 minutes per game since the beginning of March. Winning Tuesday's Play-In Game means the Magic will qualify for the postseason as the seventh seed in the East and will face the Celtics in the first round.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Off injury report for Tuesday
Rotowire
Banchero (ankle) isn't listed on the injury report for Tuesday's Play-In Game against the Hawks.
Banchero is set to return to game action after missing the club's last two regular-season games due to right ankle soreness. The star forward has scored 30 or more points in six of his last 10 appearances, averaging 28.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.7 three-pointers across 34.8 minutes per contest in that 10-game span.
Banchero (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks.
Banchero is among many notable players who have been ruled out around the league for the last day of the NBA regular season. Orlando will likely turn to Caleb Houstan, Jonathan Isaac and Tristan da Silva to help shoulder the load in the frontcourt in Atlanta.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Questionable to face Atlanta
Rotowire
Banchero (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Hawks, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Banchero did not play in Friday's 129-115 win over the Pacers due to right ankle soreness. He'll likely have his minutes restricted or not play at all Sunday, given that Orlando is locked in as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference standings. Banchero's absence would mean more minutes for Jonathan Isaac, Caleb Houstan, Tristan da Silva and Jett Howard.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Ruled out against Indiana
Rotowire
Banchero (ankle) won't play in Friday's game versus the Pacers.
Banchero has been downgraded from questionable to out due to right ankle soreness. Caleb Houstan, Jonathan Isaac and Tristan da Silva are all candidates to receive increased playing time in Banchero's absence. Banchero's next chance to suit up is Sunday's regular-season finale against Atlanta.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Iffy for Friday
Rotowire
Banchero (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Pacers.
Banchero is dealing with soreness in his right ankle, which could keep him sidelined in Indiana on Friday. If the rising star doesn't ultimately get ruled out, the Magic will likely turn to Caleb Houstan, Jonathan Isaac and Tristan da Silva to help shoulder the load in the frontcourt.
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