The second-year pro has the surprising Magic in the thick of the NBA Eastern Conference playoff chase.
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero already is well on his way to stardom.
The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year has boosted his production in virtually every statistical category this season, and he has the Magic in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff chase. On Friday, Banchero took another step forward in his development with a sublime performance in the Magic’s 122–120 road victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Banchero led the way for the Magic with 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for the first triple-double of his NBA career, becoming the youngest player in franchise history to produce that stat line in the process. The performance came one game after the former Duke star and No. 1 overall pick put up a career-high 43 points in a double-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
Paolo Banchero dropped his 1st career TRIPLE-DOUBLE in a thrilling win over the Nuggets ????
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2024
32 PTS / 11 AST / 10 REB / 3 STL
???? Banchero becomes the youngest player in Magic history to reach these thresholds pic.twitter.com/XXjmnn2VPM
After the game, Banchero explained that the victory over the defending league champions was a team effort, despite his impressive individual stat line. He was nearly overcome with emotion during a postgame interview.
“Man, it’s hard to even speak right now,” Banchero told Bally Sports Florida. “We’ve got eight guys out. [Anthony Black] tried to play, because we needed him, and he was sick as hell. First play, he couldn’t go, and it was next man up. We’ve got guys out here playing their a– off. … I can’t be more proud of the team. Hell of a game.”
Paolo Banchero talks about his first career triple-double after the win over the Nuggets tonight. #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/ZSxraHGyZj
— Bally Sports Florida: Magic (@BallyMagic) January 6, 2024
The Magic remain one of the NBA’s most surprising teams, currently holding a 20–15 record after four consecutive losing seasons. Banchero, 21, is at the center of Orlando’s turnaround, averaging 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game this season.
