Injured Orlando Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero is set to make a comeback on the court this week, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania.
As per the report, Banchero is expected to return either on Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves or Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. He has been out of action since Oct. 30 due to a torn oblique sustained during a game against the Chicago Bulls.
Banchero has participated in only five games this season and has missed 33. His absence adds to a series of injuries to key Magic players, including breakout forward Franz Wagner who has been sidelined for 13 games and counting with an oblique tear since Dec. 6.
Despite the setbacks, the Magic have started the season with a 22-16 record, placing them in fourth position in the Eastern Conference.
Banchero, a third-year professional and the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, earned his first All-Star selection last season and played a crucial role in guiding the Magic to their first playoff appearance since 2020. In the five games he played this season before his injury, Banchero showed improvement in all statistical categories. Prior to his injury, he was averaging 29 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 34.4% on 3-point attempts.
Banchero returns to a Magic team that is in contention for a top seed in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket after securing the fifth seed last postseason and losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. Meanwhile, Wagner’s return timeline remains uncertain. His brother and Magic backup Moritz Wagner is out for the season with a torn ACL.