NBA Power Rankings: Magic Climbing After Paolo Banchero Heroics?

The Orlando Magic are 2-1 since the All-Star Break. Where does that put them in this week's power rankings?

Jeremy Brener | Feb 27, 2024

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic are back in the swing of things after the All-Star Break, playing three games in a four-day span.

The Magic finished 2-1 on their road trip to start the second half of the season, which prompted a jump in CBS Sports' power rankings. Orlando now sits at No. 15 after being No. 17 last week.

Paolo Banchero Pascal Siakam Raptors — Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

"Orlando started the week with a road win over the Cavs, then Paolo Banchero showed some serious emotion following a game-winning and-one jumper to beat the Pistons on Saturday," CBS Sports writes. "He missed the next game, which the Magic lost to Atlanta."

While Banchero battled an illness, he was still able to help the Magic win their games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. However, when he sat out Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks, the Magic couldn't get the win -- further proof of his importance to the team.

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Banchero is questionable to return for tonight's game against the Brooklyn Nets, which kicks off a three-game homestand for the Magic that continues on Thursday against the Utah Jazz and finishes Sunday against the Pistons.

Tipoff between the Magic and Nets is set for tonight at 7 p.m. ET.

Published Feb 27, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.