{"id":107423,"date":"2024-11-17T12:38:35","date_gmt":"2024-11-17T17:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=107423"},"modified":"2024-11-17T12:38:35","modified_gmt":"2024-11-17T17:38:35","slug":"magic-staying-afloat-banchero-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/17\/magic-staying-afloat-banchero-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Magic Staying Afloat Despite Banchero Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Paolo Banchero<\/a> went down earlier this month, things looked bleak<\/a> for the Orlando Magic. The Banchero injury was terrible news to the 3-2 Magic, who were looking to build on last season\u2019s success<\/a>. Without their best player in the lineup, the Magic were expected to struggle greatly, and at first, they did. Now, they\u2019ve bounced back, and it has widely been behind the inspired offensive play<\/a> of their second young star, Franz Wagner,<\/a>\u00a0his brother Moritz Wagner,<\/a> along with their elite defense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Magic Staying Afloat Despite Banchero Injury<\/h2>\n

Paolo Banchero Stats Through Five Games<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Banchero’s stats through the first five games were downright dominant. He was averaging 29 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. As the team\u2019s best player and key offensive cog, Banchero\u2019s leadership was going to be key to the Magic\u2019s success this season. When he went down with a torn oblique, things looked grim in Orlando.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Without Banchero, the Magic proceeded to lose their next four games, putting them at 3-6 and in danger of losing a grip on their positioning in the Eastern Conference standings. Although those four games were against some difficult opponents like the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> and Oklahoma City Thunder, some Magic fans were certainly starting to worry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Orlando Magic Schedule Gets Easier<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After those tough four games without Banchero, the Orlando Magic schedule softened up. Their last five opponents have been the New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, and Philadelphia\u00a076ers. Just as it looked like the Magic were going to slide down the standings quickly during the Banchero injury, they completely turned things around.\u00a0<\/span>The Magic have now won five straight games and in dominant fashion. The Magic won four of their last five games by double digits, and a lot of it has been because of the excellent play of Franz Wagner and help from his brother.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Franz Wagner of the @OrlandoMagic<\/a> has truly become one of the @NBA<\/a>\u2019s most versatile, complete players and might be the most deserving early season Most Improved Player award candidate. Details \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udcfd\ufe0f \ud83c\udf9e\ufe0f \ud83d\udd0a pic.twitter.com\/9992177FK5<\/a><\/p>\n

— Josh Cohen (@Josh_Cohen_NBA) November 16, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n