Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero has sustained a low-grade high ankle sprain, sidelining him for multiple weeks. The team announced the diagnosis Saturday, with sources telling ESPN's Shams Charania the forward is expected to miss four to six weeks. Banchero was injured in the first half of Friday's 115-93 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He finished with 14 points and six rebounds after sitting out the fourth quarter due to discomfort. The injury is a significant blow to a Magic team that has relied heavily on Banchero's production. Last season, Orlando outscored opponents by 45 points in the 182 minutes that Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. were on the court together.
The Magic are 40-26 over the past three regular seasons when the quartet of Banchero, Wagner, Suggs and Carter all play. Banchero was off to a flying start this season, averaging team highs of 24.5 points and 7.5 assists per game, along with 6.5 rebounds and doing all that on 70% shooting. For his career, the 2022 No. 1 draft pick and 2024 All-Star is averaging 22.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game for Orlando.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing