Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has faced criticism this season. After returning from a 10-game absence, he averaged 20.5 points on 44.8 percent shooting in his first 20 games. His impact on both ends was lacking without Franz Wagner.
Banchero’s Post-All-Star Surge
Banchero has changed the narrative since the All-Star break, matching Nikola Jokic statistically over a 13-game sample. While not at MVP-caliber production for the entire season, his numbers have been phenomenal since the break.
Over his last 13 games, Banchero is averaging 25.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game on 49.6 percent shooting and 60.0 percent true shooting. Only Nikola Jokic is posting 25-9-5 over that span, averaging 28.3-14-9 on 62.4 percent true shooting.
Players averaging 25/9/5 since the All-Star break:
- Paolo Banchero
- Nikola Jokic
Impact on the Orlando Magic
Banchero’s recent play has correlated with the Magic’s best stretch of the season. They have won a season-most seven-straight — and 10 of their last 13 — after their 121-117 win over Miami.
As a result, Banchero is now averaging career highs in field goal percentage, true-shooting percentage and rebounds per game. He’s still scoring 22.3 points on 1.3 fewer field goal attempts relative to his career average before 2025-26.
Orlando’s been crushed by injuries all season, but has seemingly found its rhythm, where it’s in prime position to crack a top-5 seed in the East.
Questions remain about how Anthony Black and Franz Wagner will be integrated. Questions remain about how that will affect Banchero’s current role.
In the meantime, as long as the Magic star continues impacting — and producting numbers fit by only a three-time MVP — wins will follow.