The Orlando Magic have gone just 7-15 over the course of their past 22 games, per Jason Beede of Sentinel Sports and the Orlando Sentinel. Orlando is looking to get back on track following a strong start to the 2023-24 season. Magic star Paolo Banchero issued a message to the team amid the slump, via Beede.

“We've just got to come together as much as we can, pick up the communication, pick up the intensity, and get back to being together as a group,” Banchero said. “It's just that point in the season where it starts feeling like a grind for a lot of guys, including myself. We've just got to fight through it, push through it, come together as a group and be there for each other… Have each other's backs.

“We did today which is why we came back but we just kind of waited too long. That hurt us but we'll be alright. We've just got to, as I said, stick together and raise the level of intensity.”

Banchero's comments came after a difficult 107-106 defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. He scored 27 points, recorded five rebounds, and had five assists in the Magic's loss.

Banchero has enjoyed a productive 2023-24 campaign despite his team's recent struggles. The 2022 first overall pick is averaging 22.6 points per game on 44.9 percent field goal and 34.8 percent three-point shooting. He's also averaging 7.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.

Magic's outlook moving forward

The Magic are now 23-22 this season. Orlando is eighth in the Eastern Conference. They can certainly still bounce back and make a playoff push, but the Magic will want to turn things around soon.

The East is competitive and Orlando doesn't want to continue trending in a negative direction. The Magic will look to get back into the win column on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns.