Blue Devil Country

Former Duke Star Soars in First Game Back From Illness

Duke basketball product Paolo Banchero sat out two Magic games but looks to be back to his old self.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
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Entering this week, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero hadn't missed a single game this season and was fresh off a clutch performance late in Saturday's road win over the Detroit Pistons. But an illness he began to notice late last week resulted in the first two absences of his sophomore pro campaign.

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On Friday night, though, Banchero returned and appeared good as new, tallying 29 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and one steal in the Magic's 115-107 home victory over the Utah Jazz. The 21-year-old first-time All-Star saw a team-high 35 minutes, shooting 10-for-16 from the field, 1-for-4 from three, and 8-for-11 at the line.

And it's worth noting that 14 of his points came in the fourth quarter alone. So, his endurance sure seems unaffected by the recent setback.

As for the other NBA Blue Devil in Orlando's starting frontcourt, 24-year-old big man Wendell Carter Jr. recorded only six points, five boards, and one dime across his 22 minutes on the floor. However, he finished with a game-high plus/minus of +9.

Banchero and Carter look to help the Magic (34-26), No. 6 in the Eastern Conference standings after failing to reach the NBA Playoffs in each of the past three seasons, to turn back-to-back wins into a three-game winning streak when they host the Pistons (9-49) at 6 p.m. ET Sunday.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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