Orlando Magic Anticipate Paolo Banchero’s Return Against Bucks
The Orlando Magic are set to receive a significant uplift as Paolo Banchero is anticipated to return to the starting lineup this Friday. Banchero's comeback is eagerly awaited, especially as the team takes on the formidable Milwaukee Bucks.
Banchero's Journey Back
The path to this return hasn't been smooth. Banchero sustained an injury early in the season, during the Magic's fifth game. Since then, he has missed a lengthy stretch of 33 consecutive games, only recently being marked as "questionable" for their match against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite this long absence, Banchero showed promise at the season's start, averaging an impressive 29 points and even achieving a career-best 50 points in a win over the Pacers back in October.
Team Resilience in His Absence
Without Banchero, the Magic have shown remarkable determination. They’ve managed to maintain a .500 record over their last ten games, and their efforts have them sitting comfortably in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 22-16 record. Franz Wagner stepped up significantly during Banchero's time away, albeit until he was sidelined by a torn right oblique in early December, projected to miss at least four weeks.
Banchero himself reflected on the team’s performance, saying, "It's amazing, really. Thinking back to when I first went down, it was just those four games, and then after that, they were rolling. Franz was carrying [the team], and then he went down. I think that was the true test, just for our team, our two main guys being out. And guys stepped up even more."
A Bright Outlook
The Magic's ability to adapt and persevere through adversity speaks volumes about their team spirit and depth. Banchero expressed his excitement about rejoining the squad, sharing that it's "really encouraging for guys who are out, seeing their teammates step up, get wins, still play the right way, and just uphold that standard that we set at the start of the season. It's really encouraging, and it just makes you excited for when we get back to full strength."
As Banchero prepares to lace up against the Bucks, the Magic anticipate their full-strength squad's potential impact as they continue to push through the season.