Orlando Magic big-man Paolo Banchero has had a bit of a slow start to the season, but he made up for it in a big way Thursday night.
Banchero went off for a season-high 30 points, which included the go-ahead driving layup with 14.1 seconds left, as the Magic defeated the Utah Jazz 115-113 on the road to wrap up a four-game West Coast trip.
Paolo Banchero euro stepping his way to the hoop to give the Magic the lead again!
He has 30 points tonight 🔥pic.twitter.com/VpcwaX80aE
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 3, 2023
Banchero made a point to be aggressive, according to Magic beat writer Josh Cohen.
“I just wanted to be aggressive, take advantage of the mismatches,” he said. “Just had to step up.”
In regards to his go-ahead bucket, Banchero says, “Coach drew the play for me to get in the middle, so I had it in the middle of the floor. I knew he was going to expect me to go right, so I wanted to show right and then counter and go back left, and finish with the left.”
It was a thrilling win that came at a cost for the Magic. First, guard Markelle Fultz was a late scratch due to swelling in his knee. Then Gary Harris, who filled in for Fultz, lef the game with a sore right groin. Finally, on the play following Banchero's go-ahead bucket, Talen Horton-Tucker missed a 3-pointer that was then rebounded by Wendell Carter Jr.
Carter was fouled but hurt his hand on the play. The team announced after the game that he broke a bone in his hand.
Up next for the Magic, they return home to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.