Basketball God’s Strike: Paolo Banchero diagnosed with torn right oblique after 50-point performance on Monday

Certain benchmarks define greatness in the world of basketball. Scoring 50 in a single game is certainly one of them. Orlando Magic’s forward Paolo Banchero, reached this milestone, becoming the youngest forward to score 50 or more points since the one and only Lebron James in 2006 on Monday night as the Magic beat the Pacers, 119-115.

Banchero just missed a triple-double, finishing the game with 50 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists. His performance, on top of his impressive season last year, continues to prove why Paolo is solidifying himself as one of the NBA’s brightest young talents.

Paolo Banchero vs Pacers:

• 50 POINTS (Career High) – 37 in 1H 
• 13 REBOUNDS
• 9 ASSISTS 
• 3 3PM 
• 2 BLOCKS
• 16-26 FG

Paolo Banchero was absolutely DOMINANT in the @OrlandoMagic W!

🔥 50 PTS (career high), 37 in 1H
🔥 13 REB
🔥 9 AST
🔥 3 3PM
🔥 2 BLK
🔥 16-26 FGM

Magic move to 3-1 on the year! pic.twitter.com/1BtNZ9iyBm

— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2024

Paolo Banchero is making NBA history…

Paolo Banchero through five games:

29.0 PPG
8.8 RPG
5.6 APG

The most PPG to start a season by a player age 21 or younger since LeBron (2005). pic.twitter.com/hNmRV6zh2N

— StatMamba (@StatMamba) October 31, 2024

Update: Literally as I’m writing this, news just broke that Banchero has been been diagnosed with a torn right oblique and is sidelined indefinitely. According to Shams, he will be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks and return to play will be based on how he responds to treatment.

Well shit. I know writing about general NBA news is new for the Philly-based Liberty Line and the second they bring me on board to expand their basketball reach, I decide to write about Banchero and now he’s out indefinitely. I’ll make note of that and avoid any posts about Joel Embiid and Paul George.

Sorry Magic fans, I didn’t realize my words held this much power.

Just In: Orlando Magic superstar Paolo Banchero has been diagnosed with a torn right oblique and is sidelined indefinitely, sources tell ESPN. He will be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks and return to play will be based on how he responds to treatment. pic.twitter.com/hq4qh7IONa

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 1, 2024

Anyways, tough break for the 3-2 Orlando Magic. Banchero was averaging career highs nearly across the board in his first five games, including points (29 per game), rebounds (8.8), assists (5.6), field-goal percentage (49.5%) and 3-point percentage (34.4%), plus a career low in turnovers (2.2).

According to reports, at the minimum end of the timetable, a four-week recovery period would still cause Banchero to miss 15 games for the Magic. He played at least 72 games in each of his first two years, but likely won’t meet that mark this season.

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