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Bucks outlast Magic in Paolo Banchero's return

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on

Published in Basketball

ORLANDO, Fla. — After the Magic fell to the Timberwolves by 15 points on Thursday night, Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said his team “didn’t have the energy needed” to win against Minnesota.

There might not have been anything better to give Orlando a much-needed boost of energy Friday night vs. Milwaukee other than the return of Paolo Banchero.

Following a 34-game absence due to a torn right abdominal muscle, the All-Star forward made his way back to the court and instantly made a difference when he stepped onto it.

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (41 points) and seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard (29) had other plans in mind when they combined for 70 in their 109-106 road victory.

In a game that included 12 lead changes and saw both sides ahead by at least eight points, the Bucks outscored the Magic by six in the final frame.

The Magic and Bucks (20-16) meet a third time next Wednesday.

Orlando (22-17) will host the 76ers on Sunday to wrap up a three-game homestand at Kia Center.

Banchero’s return

Playing under a minutes restriction, Banchero mostly played in five-to-six-minute stints throughout the night to total 27.

He often created space for his teammates by drawing a ton of Milwaukee’s attention on offense. He swung the ball around the court to open shooters and racked up three assists.

Initiating the offense at times for Orlando, Banchero grew more confident as time passed and shot 11 of 21 (52.3%) from the floor.

His first points in his return came on his second three-point attempt when he stepped back and sunk a long-range basket from the top of the key at the 7:41 mark of the opening frame.

Despite still searching for a rhythm on the offense end, Banchero totaled 34 points and seven rebounds in his first game since Oct. 30. It marked his fourth 20-plus point game of the season.

The rest of the starters

Banchero opened the game alongside Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, rookie Tristan da Silva and Goga Bitadze.

 

Caldwell-Pope played the first half and was ruled out for the remainder of the game at the break due to a sore left knee. He totaled three points with three assists in 11 minutes.

Anthony was inconsistent as a shooter (3 of 10 from 3) but still racked up 18 points with seven rebounds in 35 minutes.

Second unit

Jonathan Isaac regularly replaced Banchero on the court. Isaac came off the bench alongside Anthony Black, Wendell Carter Jr., Caleb Houstan and Jett Howard.

Black pieced together a nine-point third quarter when he drove to the basket, pulled up from the midrange and hit a 3-pointer in the frame.

The second-year guard finished with 15 points alongside two assists and two rebounds.

Jonathan Isaac shot 40% from the floor to total nine points.

Houstan started the second half in place of Caldwell-Pope but found himself in foul trouble with four by the end of the start of the fourth quarter.

Howard had played only seven minutes when he sprained his left ankle near the end of the third frame. He was questionable to return and did not.

Rookie watch

Da Silva made his 29th start of his rookie campaign and played alongside Banchero for the first time.

The No. 18 pick benefitted from Banchero’s presence on the court when da Silva hit with his first 3 from the right corner in the first frame.

The Colorado product remained aggressive on both ends and totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds and two assists in 40 minutes.


©2025 Orlando Sentinel. Visit at orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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