When Paolo Banchero first tore his proper indirect seven weeks in the past, the group mentioned his damage could be re-evaluated in 4 to 6 weeks. He nonetheless hasn’t been cleared for contact.
Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley informed Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel Thursday that Banchero’s “spirits have been nice,” however whereas praising his All-Star for “doing a terrific job” staying linked to the group, he admitted that his restoration has been sluggish.
Banchero could also be collaborating in on-court actions and movie classes, but when he is not working at full pace or taking contact but, it is unlikely he’ll be taking the court docket for Orlando quickly. It additionally implies that the prognosis for the Magic’s different younger scorer could be discouraging.
Franz Wagner suffered the identical damage Dec. 7, after having carried the Magic’s offense with 24.4 factors per recreation — 26 per recreation since Banchero went out. Primarily based on the timetable of Banchero’s restoration, the Magic won’t see their fourth-year star for 2 months, maybe not till the after the NBA’s All-Star break in February.
Can the Magic survive till then? They’re 1-2 since Wagner went out. They’re one recreation right into a brutal six-game homestand the place they should face the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Boston Celtics and the Miami Warmth twice, nearly definitely with out Banchero on the ground.
At 17-11, Orlando has a cushion earlier than having to combat for his or her playoff lives. However a season that seemed destined to get them home-court benefit within the first spherical is now wanting like it’s going to result in the play-in match.
