Paolo Banchero Expected to Return for Magic After Two-Month Injury

The All-Star forward is likely to play in one of Orlando's upcoming home games after recovering from a torn oblique suffered in October.

Paolo Banchero, who has been sidelined since October 30 due to a torn right oblique, is expected to return in one of the Magic's back-to-back home games against the Timberwolves on Thursday or the Bucks on Friday.
Before his injury, Banchero was averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in five games, including a career-high 50-point performance against the Pacers.
The Magic have maintained a strong position in the Eastern Conference, holding the fourth seed with a 22-16 record despite injuries to key players, including Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner.
Franz Wagner, the team's top scorer this season, remains out indefinitely with a torn oblique, while Moritz Wagner is sidelined for the season after tearing his ACL in December.
Banchero's return is expected to bolster Orlando's offense, which currently ranks last in the league in points per game, as the team looks to build momentum for the second half of the season.