Paolo Banchero Shows Star Power in Triple-Double Effort, but Magic Still Searching for More
For most of Thursday night, Paolo Banchero looked like a player trying to will himself into rhythm. The shots weren’t falling.
The frustration was visible. But then came a moment - a hard drive into the paint, contact, a stumble, and a desperate heave that somehow dropped in as the whistle blew.
Banchero stayed on the floor for a beat longer, soaking it in. It wasn’t just a bucket.
It was a release.
That and-one seemed to flip a switch.
From that point forward, Banchero started attacking with purpose. He moved with more force, more conviction.
The Orlando Magic, trailing by 18 midway through the fourth, came to life behind their young star. A 15-3 run cut the Denver Nuggets’ lead to just six.
Banchero had seven of those points, including that emotional and-one that reignited the team’s energy.
For a brief stretch, the Magic looked like they might pull off a comeback against the defending champs. But the margin for error was razor-thin.
And when Nikola Jokic delivered a cross-court dime to Cameron Johnson for a dagger three, the door slammed shut on Orlando’s rally. Final score: Nuggets 126, Magic 115.
It was a missed opportunity - no doubt about that. But it also offered a glimpse of what Banchero can be when he's locked in.
He finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists - his third career triple-double - a stat line that screams "franchise cornerstone." And yet, the performance left more questions than answers.
Because for all the numbers, the impact was uneven.
A Star Still Finding His Footing
Let’s be clear: Banchero is the guy in Orlando. That’s the reality when you’re the No. 1 pick and the face of a franchise. But with that comes a spotlight that doesn’t dim - even when you’re coming off an injury or navigating a tough shooting night.
And on Thursday, that spotlight was especially intense.
Banchero’s triple-double was impressive on paper, but a deeper look shows a game that never quite tipped the scales. Most of his assists came after the Magic had already fallen behind.
His jumper wasn’t there - he didn’t make a single shot outside the paint - and he struggled in the second quarter when the game started to slip away. That’s when Denver went on a 25-7 run, flipping a 14-point Magic lead into a 14-point deficit.
Banchero went just 1-for-6 in that stretch, unable to stop the bleeding.
That’s the kind of moment where stars are expected to steady the ship. And it’s the kind of moment Banchero is still learning how to own.
The fourth quarter was a different story. He went 4-for-7 and looked more like the player Orlando needs him to be - aggressive, assertive, and in control. But it came too late to change the outcome.
The Balancing Act
Banchero’s development isn’t just about scoring. It’s about timing, feel, and understanding when to take over versus when to facilitate. That’s what separates good players from great ones - and it’s a balance Nikola Jokic has mastered.
Jokic, who also recorded a triple-double (23 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists), didn’t have a perfect night. He turned the ball over six times.
But his fingerprints were all over the game. He controlled the tempo, manipulated the defense, and, when it mattered most, delivered the knockout blow.
That’s the level Banchero is chasing.
He’s starting to get there. Since returning from a strained groin that sidelined him for three weeks, Banchero has steadily improved.
His scoring has gone up in each of the five games since his return. He’s reading defenses better, keeping the ball moving, and showing a willingness to adapt his role depending on what the game calls for.
“I tried to be aggressive and make plays for others,” Banchero said postgame. “I didn’t play as well as I wanted to in terms of knocking shots down. I tried to give a great effort.”
That effort is showing. He’s holding the ball less, trusting his teammates more, and finding ways to contribute even when the shot isn’t falling.
Thursday’s triple-double wasn’t empty - it was a sign that he’s evolving as a playmaker. But at the same time, it underscored how much the Magic still need from him.
The Ceiling Rises - and Falls - With Paolo
With Franz Wagner out and the roster banged up, the Magic are leaning heavily on Banchero. That’s not just about filling up the box score - it’s about leadership, tone-setting, and making winning plays in high-leverage moments.
Orlando’s offense clicked when Banchero was off the floor earlier this season, largely because the ball moved more freely. Now, he’s trying to blend that style with his own strengths - a process that’s still ongoing.
When he gets it right, the Magic look like a team that can make noise in the East. When he doesn’t, the offense can stall.
Coach Jamahl Mosley acknowledged the growth, saying, “He was just continuing to be aggressive, trying to make plays, finding the right situations to get his teammates involved. His ability to make the right play in those moments will continue to be big for us with his aggression.”
That ability - to read the game and respond with the right move at the right time - is what will ultimately define Banchero’s ceiling. The Magic didn’t invest in him to just post big numbers. They invested in him to be the guy who can hit the tough shots in the playoffs, the guy who knows when to take over and when to create for others.
He’s shown flashes of that. But consistency has been elusive, especially with the injury disrupting his rhythm midseason.
The Road Ahead
There’s no need to panic. Banchero is still just scratching the surface of what he can become.
The triple-double is proof of his versatility. The late-game surge is proof of his potential.
And the second-quarter struggles? Those are part of the learning curve.
But make no mistake - the Magic will only go as far as Banchero can take them. He’s the engine, the tone-setter, the player whose performance raises or lowers the team’s ceiling on any given night.
If Thursday was a step forward, it also served as a reminder of how much further there is to go. The talent is undeniable.
The effort is there. Now it’s about putting it all together - and doing it when the game is still in the balance.
Because for the Magic to reach the next level, Paolo Banchero has to reach his.