Kofi Inkoom
Paolo Banchero won’t be taking the court tonight against the Brooklyn Nets due to illness, marking his second consecutive absence from the lineup.
He was a last-minute scratch for Sunday’s game against the Hawks after hitting a buzzer-beating shot to secure a win against the Pistons on Saturday.
Despite showing signs of improvement during today’s pre-game shoot-around, he has officially been ruled out for tonight’s game.
Banchero, who is in his second season in the league, has been putting up impressive numbers, averaging 22.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.0 steal per game, with shooting percentages of 45.6% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc in 57 games played.
The Magic currently hold the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 32-26 record through 58 games. Despite a recent setback against the Hawks, they have managed to win seven of their last ten games.
Following tonight’s matchup against the Nets, the Magic will have a home game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday evening in Orlando, Florida, and Banchero is expected to be back in action for that game.