Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) makes a shot as he gets past Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan, back left, forward Jerami Grant, center, and forward Deni Avdija during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
November 13, 2025 - 7:08 AM
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Orlando forward Paolo Banchero has a strained left groin and will not play for the Magic when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.
An MRI exam on Thursday confirmed the strain — which was also the team's original diagnosis when Banchero left Wednesday's game in New York in the second quarter and did not return.
There is no return-to-play timeline yet, the Magic said, noting that it'll be determined after seeing how Banchero responds to treatment.
“There was a moment he was going up and down the court, I think it was a quick turn and then I just saw him pause for a second,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said after Wednesday's win over the Knicks. “I looked at him just to try to see where he was with it and then I got him out of there before anything changed.”
Banchero is averaging 21.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game so far this season.
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