In a ray of hope for the Orlando Magic fanbase, All-Star forward Paolo Banchero appears to be nearing a highly anticipated return from a torn oblique muscle that has sidelined him for a significant portion of the 2024-25 NBA season. The injury, suffered in late October, has forced the young phenom to miss 28 of the Magic’s 33 games thus far. However, recent updates from Banchero himself suggest that the light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter by the day.
Speaking to reporters before Friday’s matchup against the New York Knicks, the 21-year-old rising star provided a promising progress report on his recovery journey. “The torn muscle has healed,” Banchero revealed, offering a much-needed dose of optimism for a Magic squad that has struggled mightily in his absence. “I’ve just been doing a lot of rehab and a lot of ramping up, trying to get my body back to playing shape.”
The path back to full strength has been a methodical one for the 2023 Rookie of the Year, who was in the midst of a stellar sophomore campaign before the injury struck. “Obviously, I had to sit 30-plus days without really doing much,” Banchero explained. “So, I just had to kind of get my body back in that mode and I’m still in the process of that.”
Banchero’s Imminent Return Boosts Magic’s Outlook
While a precise date for Banchero’s return remains elusive, the consensus among the Magic organization is that the day is drawing near. Head coach Jamahl Mosley couldn’t hide his enthusiasm when discussing his star player’s progress, stating, “It’s very encouraging to see the way in which he’s working.”
Prior to his injury, Banchero was in the midst of a scintillating start to his second NBA season. Through his first five games, the Duke University product was averaging a robust 29 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per contest, numbers that placed him firmly in the early MVP conversation. His absence has been felt acutely by an Orlando team that has struggled to generate consistent offense without their primary scorer and facilitator.
The Road to Recovery
Though the finish line is within sight, Banchero acknowledged that there are still a few critical hurdles to clear before he can be cleared for game action. The 6-foot-10 forward has yet to ramp up to competitive 5-on-5 play, and there are certain movements, such as dunking, that he hasn’t fully tested. Additionally, he will need to go through a full practice with the team to assess his readiness for the rigors of an NBA game.
Nonetheless, Banchero is thrilled to be back on the court in any capacity after spending a month on the sidelines. “Sitting and watching for so long, you know, you just miss the game,” he confessed. “So, I’m happy to be back out there playing.”
A Familiar Foe Strikes Again
Banchero’s injury woes have been complicated by the fact that his teammate, Franz Wagner, suffered the same torn oblique injury earlier this month. Wagner, like Banchero, was in the midst of a potential All-Star campaign before being sidelined. “I had a bad feeling of being on the bench in that game,” Banchero lamented. “When I saw him holding his side, it looked kind of eerily similar to how I felt in Chicago.”
The uncanny timing of the two injuries has dealt a significant blow to a Magic team that was hoping to take a significant leap this season. However, with Banchero on the mend and Wagner likely to follow suit in the coming weeks, there is renewed optimism that Orlando can salvage what remains of their 2024-25 campaign.
The Road Ahead
As the Magic eagerly await the return of their franchise cornerstone, the focus will shift to reintegrating Banchero into the lineup and reestablishing the chemistry that was just beginning to flourish before his injury. If the former No. 1 overall pick can pick up where he left off, Orlando could quickly find themselves back in the playoff mix in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
For Banchero, the journey back to full strength has been a test of patience and perseverance. But with the finish line now in sight, the budding superstar is ready to remind the basketball world just how special he can be. “I’m just happy to be back out there playing,” he reiterated. For the Magic faithful, those words are music to their ears.
