The Orlando Magic were able to get a big win against the New York Knicks, but they lost their star player in the process. Paolo Banchero left the game with an injury, and he is expected to miss some time with a groin injury, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
“An MRI today on Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero confirmed a left groin strain, and he will miss Friday's game against the Brooklyn Nets and be evaluated daily moving forward, sources tell ESPN,” Banchero wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The Magic have had an up-and-down season to start, and with Banchero possibly out for some time, it would be interesting to see how they navigate it. For now, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane will have to carry the load for the time being, and they have the pieces around them to be successful. Though it may seem easy, it hasn't been to start the season.
There have been rumors that head coach Jahmal Mosley and Banchero have not been on the same page, and Banchero has reportedly avoided eye contact when Mosley addresses the team. People in the organization fear the two aren't aligned.
“This is what a team looks like when a coach loses the locker room,” one source said to RG's Grant Afseth. “He needs to figure it out fast. This is on track to go from being the fun young team with potential to being the disappointment that gets the coach fired.”
The Magic still have time to get things together, but the hope is that Banchero can return sooner rather than later.
