Orlando Magic star forward Paolo Banchero is expected to return to the court in either one of the team’s back-to-back home games this week, ESPN reported on Wednesday.
Per multiple reports, Banchero will be upgraded to questionable to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday as he attempts to make his return to the court since tearing his right oblique on Oct. 30.
Should he sit out versus the Timberwolves, the Magic have a quick turnaround against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
Banchero was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, one day after he caused a bit of a stir on social media by saying that “the wait is almost over.”
Banchero, 22, enjoyed a fast start to the season, averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists in five games.
He is contributing 21.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 157 career games since being selected by the Magic with the top overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.
The Magic are 22-16 and holding onto fourth place in the Eastern Conference. That’s been despite the absence of Banchero, as well as the Wagner brothers.
Franz Wagner, 23, has not played since suffering a torn right oblique in a 102-94 loss to the host Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 6. He leads the Magic in scoring (24.4 points) and assists (5.7) per game.
Older brother Moritz, 27, is averaging 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He tore his left ACL in a 121-114 defeat of the Miami Heat on Dec. 21 and is out for the remainder of the season.
