Paolo Banchero’s Return Shows Encouraging Signs Despite Magic’s NBA Cup Exit
LAS VEGAS - Paolo Banchero didn’t light up the scoreboard early in Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal, but by the final buzzer, the Magic forward had made his presence felt - and then some.
After a quiet first half where he scored just 8 points on 3-of-8 shooting (and missed all four of his three-point attempts), Banchero came alive down the stretch. He finished with 25 points, including 9 in the fourth quarter, along with eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal. It wasn’t enough to get Orlando past the Knicks, who pulled away for a 132-120 win at T-Mobile Arena, but it was a performance that marked a meaningful step forward for the 21-year-old star.
This was only Banchero’s fourth game back after missing 10 due to a left groin strain - and you can see the rhythm starting to return.
“Coming back from quite some time, taking time to find the rhythm, [he is] just continuing to find that rhythm within the group,” said head coach Jamahl Mosley postgame. “As we continue to go on, just being able to move his minutes up a little bit more so he can get that rhythm throughout the game.”
And the ramp-up is clearly happening. Banchero’s minutes - and impact - have climbed steadily since his return: 20 minutes in his first game back against Miami, 24 at Madison Square Garden, 32 in the Cup quarterfinal (again vs. the Heat), and now 35 in Vegas. His scoring has followed suit: 9, 16, 18, and now 25.
“I’m feeling better every game,” Banchero said. “Not really thinking as much in terms of like thinking about the injury.
But I’ve been feeling better and better every game. Hopefully I can just continue to find my spots out there and continue to play within the team.”
There’s still rust to shake off - Banchero went 0-for-7 from beyond the arc and committed five turnovers, his highest since returning - but the signs are positive. Through four games back, he’s averaging 17 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.5 turnovers per game.
Before the injury? He was putting up 23.3 points, 8.8 boards, 4.8 assists, and 3.3 turnovers.
The gap is closing.
“He’s definitely trending in the right direction,” said teammate Desmond Bane. “I like the way that he came back, balancing being aggressive and making plays for his teammates.
I thought he’s been doing a whole lot of that and really hustling on the defensive end, rebounding for us. Definitely opportunities for us to get creative to allow him to carry us and be himself.”
Jase Richardson Makes the Most of His Moment
With Jalen Suggs sidelined late in the game, rookie guard Jase Richardson was thrown into the fire - and he didn’t flinch.
The 20-year-old played the final 7:35 and gave the Magic a much-needed spark, scoring 9 points, hitting two big threes, and adding two assists and a rebound. It wasn’t just box score production - it was timely, confident play from a young guard still finding his place in the league.
Richardson, the No. 25 pick in June’s draft, hasn’t had consistent minutes, but when he’s gotten the call, he’s shown he can make an impact.
“I like him,” said veteran forward Jonathan Isaac. “He’s a great young kid.
What I see is that he has a great head on his shoulders. He’s not too high, not too low, always positive.
His time is going to come, you know? It is what it is.
He’ll stay with it, but … his energy affects winning.”
Richardson’s poise and energy didn’t go unnoticed - and with Suggs’ status uncertain, the rookie could be in line for more opportunities. For a Magic team that’s building around youth and internal growth, that’s exactly the kind of development they’re hoping to see.
Big Picture
Saturday’s loss may have ended Orlando’s NBA Cup hopes, but it also offered a glimpse of what’s ahead. Banchero is shaking off the rust and looking more like the All-Star-caliber player he was before the injury. Richardson is flashing the kind of promise that could make him a valuable rotation piece down the line.
The Magic may not have left Vegas with a trophy, but they’re leaving with momentum - and that could be just as important in the long run.