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Orlando Magic star, Paolo Banchero reportedly to make anticipated return this week

Paolo Banchero sustained a serious injury which ruled him out for a staggering 33 games.

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Orlando Magic forward, Paolo Banchero is on the verge of making a highly-anticipated NBA return this week. The Magic will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night. In back-to-back clashes, Orlando will face conference rivals, Milwaukee Bucks next. If not on Thursday, the former All-Star might be seen in action on Friday.

As per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Banchero is expected to return to action in one of Orlando’s back-to-back home games. The 2023 Rookie of the Year is averaging 29 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game this season from five games. He sustained a serious injury which ruled him out for a staggering 33 games.

Magic star Paolo Banchero is expected to return to action in one of Orlando’s back-to-back home games Thursday versus Minnesota or Friday versus Milwaukee, sources tell ESPN. Banchero has been out since Oct. 30 due to a torn oblique after a monster start to the season. pic.twitter.com/f1qVhtJo4G
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 8, 2025

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The 22-year-old is excited to make his first NBA appearance since Oct. 30. “A look at how my season’s been going, The wait is almost over,” Banchero took to social media to share his thoughts on his potential return in Orlando. Banchero’s return will impact team’s dynamics and performance.

The former All-Star has recovered from a torn right oblique. Franz Wagner carried Orlando Magic by replacing Banchero for the next 20 games. During this run, Wagner became the youngest forward to record a 35-point, 10-assist game and his heroics helped Magic to hand over the Lakers their first home defeat of the season.

However, Wagner suffered the same rare injury and the small forward is in the long recovery process. Orlando Magic have gone 6-7 without Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in the regular season. During this process, they also pulled off two stunning comebacks such as the fourth-quarter surge against the Miami Heat.

Banchero’s teammate, Goga Bitadze couldn’t hold his emption and shared his thought, saying “He makes us so much more dangerous. He’s naturally, physically gifted. When you add all the other basketball stuff, he’s unguardable.”

Orlando Magic are sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference and posted a 22-16 record. Magic are 13-5 at home this season and will go on a three-game homestand following a 103-94 win over New York Knicks on Monday.

Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Franz Wagner

NBA 2024-25

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Paolo Banchero

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.