The primary 50-point sport of the 2024-25 NBA season belongs to Paolo Banchero.
In arguably the most effective efficiency of the common season’s first week, the Orlando Magic ahead tallied a career-high 50 factors, collected 13 rebounds and dished out 9 assists on Monday to guide his workforce to a 119-115 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Kia Middle.
“I’m drained,” Banchero informed FanDuel Sports activities Community’s Dante Marchitelli after the ultimate buzzer. “I’m drained as hell. Nevertheless it was a helluva sport. Credit score to (the Pacers) — they made us struggle for each minute of the sport. They made us struggle. We needed to come again. I’m simply happy with my workforce.”
The Magic trailed 98-93 on the finish of the third quarter, however they stormed again because of 9 factors from Banchero.
PAOLO AND-1… UP TO 48 PTS 🔥
Pacers-Magic 1-point sport late within the 4Q on NBA League Go!
📲 https://t.co/5o9gBCiWA7 pic.twitter.com/HpB4S556zF
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2024
Banchero, 21, made the Japanese Convention All-Star workforce final season and led Orlando to the playoffs, the place it misplaced a first-round collection to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven video games.
Banchero is the fourth participant in Magic historical past to attain 50 factors in a sport, becoming a member of Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O’Neal and Nick Anderson. McGrady completed the feat 4 occasions, together with a franchise-record 62 factors on March 10, 2004.
Twenty years elapsed till Orlando had one other 50-point sport: Banchero’s efficiency Monday evening.
How Banchero regarded on his monster evening
All the pieces the Magic wished to see from Banchero, their budding celebrity, was on show throughout his 50-point efficiency. He acquired going within the first quarter by residing within the lane. He had his mail forwarded to the paint as he bullied any matchup the Pacers threw at him.
As soon as that was going, Banchero stepped exterior to the 3-point line, and it felt like warmth verify after warmth verify was dropping. Banchero had 37 at halftime, and it wasn’t simply off getting a bunch of free throws (though he did take 9 of them). It was principally him being a calculated bully.
Paolo Banchero MONSTER 37-point 1st half AND a triple-double watch 🤯
🪄 37 PTS
🪄 7 REB
🪄 6 AST
🪄 3 3PM
🪄 13-17 FGMHe’s the third participant within the play-by-play period (1997-1998) to document at the least 35 PTS, 5 REB and 5 AST in a half, becoming a member of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell! 👏 pic.twitter.com/faHD7Vdq4b
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2024
Then, Banchero confirmed some resilience by surviving a tough third quarter. He solely had 4 factors, all on the charity stripe, and a whole lot of his pictures have been brief. Possibly he was urgent (4 turnovers). Possibly he didn’t have his legs; it’s nonetheless early within the season.
The Magic allowed Indiana to take management of the sport and wanted their star to re-establish himself. Banchero did that by cooking within the paint once more and attending to the free-throw line. He left a couple of factors on the desk by lacking six free throws within the second half, however that is the Banchero that Orlando desires to see. Calculated. Tender contact. Adjusts when the sport escapes him a bit. Closing out in opposition to opponent. — Zach Harper, NBA employees author
What this implies for Banchero and the Magic’s ceiling
Shot-making away from the basket continues to be a fluid idea for Banchero. He’d struggled in his first three video games to transform on pictures between the ring and the 3-point line, and he wasn’t precisely environment friendly across the basket, both. However he’s attending to the free throw line a ton, and you may see him creating pictures he’s comfy taking.
When Banchero realizes his scoring potential much more, the Magic could make a deep playoff run. They’re in all probability a yr and a longtime lead guard away from actually contending within the East, however Banchero and these Magicians can smash nearly anyone’s season. — Harper
Required studying
(Picture: Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Photographs)
