Magic's Paolo Banchero: Erupts for 38 points in Game 7 loss
Rotowire
Banchero supplied 38 points (14-25 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 6-8 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and one block across 42 minutes in Sunday's 116-94 Game 7 loss to the Pistons in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Banchero got off to a hot start in this one, scoring 23 of his game-high 38 points in the first half. He was also extremely efficient from beyond the arc after shooting an abysmal 0-for-9 from deep in Friday's Game 6 loss. The star forward added team-high marks in rebounds and assists, carrying an Orlando squad that struggled on the offensive end. Following an injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign, Banchero appeared in 72 regular-season games this season, during which he averaged 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.3 combined steals-plus-blocks in 34.8 minutes per contest. He shot a career-high 45.9 percent from the field but took a step back from beyond the arc, knocking down 30.5 percent of his three-point attempts.
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Poor shooting effort Friday
Rotowire
Banchero finished with 17 points (4-20 FG, 0-9 3Pt, 9-12 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals across 41 minutes in Friday's 93-79 loss to Detroit in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Banchero had 45 points and shot 54.5 percent from deep in Game 5 on Wednesday. However, it was a different story Friday night, with the 23-year-old failing to make any of his nine attempts from behind the three-point line while amassing only 17 points, his lowest-scoring performance of the playoffs thus far. With the series knotted up at three games each, both clubs will meet in Detroit on Sunday for Game 7. While Banchero should continue to be the preferred option offensively in that contest, he may need to remain more involved if Franz Wagner (calf) can't suit up.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Pours in 45 points in Game 5 loss
Rotowire
Banchero registered 45 points (17-31 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 5-12 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 41 minutes during Wednesday's 116-109 loss to the Pistons in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Banchero matched Cade Cunningham's 45 points, but it wasn't enough as the Magic now hold a 3-2 series lead. With 45 points on the night, Banchero now holds the second-highest scoring total in Orlando's postseason history. If Franz Wagner (calf) continues to miss time, it's clear that Banchero is going to have the greenest of lights.
Banchero closed with 18 points (4-18 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 10-13 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 40 minutes during Monday's 94-88 win over the Pistons in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Banchero had a brutal night shooting the ball, but he piled on the aggression with 13 free-throw attempts. With Franz Wagner's (calf) status in the air going forward, the Magic will likely need to continue to rely heavily on Banchero.
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Falls just short of triple-double
Rotowire
Banchero finished with 25 points (6-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 11-14 FT), 12 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and two blocks across 38 minutes in Saturday's 113-105 win over Detroit in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Banchero easily had his best showing of this series by falling one assist short of a triple-double. With Orlando now leading the series 2-1, the 23-year-old will look to keep his club on track when the Magic and Pistons meet again for Game 4 on Monday night.
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Magic's Paolo Banchero: Scores 18 in Game 2 loss
Rotowire
Banchero closed with 18 points (7-17 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-8 FT), eight assists, six rebounds, one block and one steal in 34 minutes during Wednesday's 98-83 loss to Detroit in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Banchero filled the stat sheet across the board, though it wasn't nearly enough in a double-digit Game 2 loss. With strong career postseason averages of 26.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists on 44.9 percent shooting from the field and 41.1 percent from deep across 14 playoff games, the 23-year-old will need to deliver at a high level if Orlando hopes to pull off the series upset.
Banchero closed with 23 points (8-15 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-7 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and one steal over 37 minutes during Sunday's 112-101 win over the Pistons in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Banchero led the Magic in scoring as the team stunned Detroit to take the series lead. Banchero has struggled with consistency this season, but he's now scored at least 23 points in back-to-back games while shooting above 50 percent from the field.
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