Paolo Banchero could not be able to play on Tuesday for the Magic.
Paolo Banchero of Magic is shown with an injury symbol next to Franz Wagner and Jamahl Mosley.
Paolo Banchero, who has had an incredible second season with the Orlando Magic, recently took part in his first All-Star Game. The Magic are in a position to potentially enter the playoffs for the first time since the 2019–20 season in large part because of Banchero, who has been their team’s greatest scoring option for the entire season. When Orlando hosts the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night, they will have another opportunity to climb higher in the Eastern Conference standings. However, because of the forward’s illness, Banchero’s availability for this game is uncertain. This has prompted many people to inquire as to whether Paolo Banchero will be playing Tuesday night against the Nets.
Banchero has participated in 57 games thus far this season; however, an illness kept him out of his season debut on Sunday. The young forward has been coping with this ever since returning from All-Star Weekend. Banchero is now listed on the team’s injury report as questionable to play, which raises doubts about his availability for Tuesday night’s game against the Nets.
According to Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel, the team won’t decide whether or not Banchero can play until just before tip-off on Tuesday night because it is a true game-time decision.
Despite being sick, the former first overall selection participated in the team’s first game back from the All-Star break against the Cleveland Cavaliers. On Saturday, he returned to action against the Detroit Pistons. With 0.1 seconds left in the game, Banchero made what would have been the game-winning jumper to give the Magic a two-point advantage. Then, after getting fouled on the attempt to decorate the cake, he made one free throw.
Sadly, Banchero was unable to participate in the team’s most recent game—a 109-92 loss in Atlanta versus the Hawks. Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze will likely start in the frontcourt for the Magic if Banchero is sidelined on Tuesday night. Should Banchero be ruled out, veteran Joe Ingles and Caleb Houstan would also see an uptick in their respective roles off the bench.
The Magic All-Star, who is shooting 45.6 percent from the field, has averaging 22.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game in 57 games this season. If he is sidelined for the game against Brooklyn, it will be extremely difficult for the squad to replace his offensive output.
Therefore, the answer to the question of whether Paolo Banchero will play against the Nets will be known just before the game starts.
