Magic: Paolo Banchero to miss 4th straight game due to injury
Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero will miss his fourth straight game on Wednesday versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach Jamahl Mosley said at a morning shootaround.
Banchero suffered the injury in a loss to the Houston Rockets on Nov. 7. He appeared to land awkwardly on the foot after driving to the rim and drawing contact late in the fourth quarter. He is still experiencing soreness in the ankle and is undergoing daily treatment.
The No. 1 pick managed to practice with the team on Saturday but was held out of the lineup on Monday and from practice on Tuesday. Team officials have listed Banchero as questionable to play in each game since initially suffering the injury.
The team is often very cautious with injuries and doesn’t put timetables on players to return. The injury is not considered to be serious and Banchero remains in good spirits, despite the setback.
“I think that is why we always talk about not putting timelines on things because guys respond differently when they go through things,” Mosley said. “Obviously, this is his first real ankle injury. For a young guy, we want to make sure we’re going about it the right way and the smart way.”
Banchero produced his second straight 30-point game versus the Rockets, finishing with 30 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. He became the third rookie in team history to record consecutive 30-point games (Shaquille O’Neal, Dennis Scott).
The 19-year-old is averaging 23.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 11 games this season. He has scored at least 20 points nine times and leads the rookie class in class in scoring despite his recent absence. He is 22nd among all players in that category.
The Magic (4-10) wrap up a seven-game homestand versus the Timberwolves. They then begin a three-game road trip in Chicago on Friday and will play the Indiana Pacers in back-to-back games on Saturday and Monday.
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