Orlando Magic Hit With Major Injury Blow to Paolo Banchero

The young burgeoning superstar already had a 50-point game under his belt this season, but now former No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero will be out of the Orlando Magic lineup for at minimum four-to-six weeks.

Just In: Orlando Magic superstar Paolo Banchero has been diagnosed with a torn right oblique and is sidelined indefinitely, sources tell ESPN. He will be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks and return to play will be based on how he responds to treatment. pic.twitter.com/hq4qh7IONa
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 1, 2024

Insider Shams Charania reports that Banchero has been diagnosed with a torn right oblique and is sidelined indefinitely. The four-to-six-week timeframe is just for Panchero to be re-evaluated, and then it would take some time from there for any return to the floor.

Oblique injuries are notoriously slow to heal for professional athletes, so this is a tough blow for the rising Magic.

This is the play Paolo Banchero got banged up on, being the ultimate competitor he is — he finished the game. Banchero had a wrap on the right side of his core underneath his shirt, and on both of his knees during his post-game interview following the loss. Brutal pic.twitter.com/gpe0ZtzsEM
— Fawzan Amer (@FAmer__) November 1, 2024

At 29 points per game through his first five contests, Banchero had the highest PPG to start a season by a player age 21 or younger since LeBron James 20 years ago (2005). Banchero is also averaging 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists.

He had progressed from winning the Rookie of the Year in 2022, to making his first All-Star game last season, to this explosive start to the campaign, adding to the devastating hit this is for both him and the team.

Orlando is 3-2 this season, but now will face at least their next 17 games without their franchise player, and perhaps up to as many as 25 games.