Magic Faced 'Challenge' in First Game Without Paolo Banchero

For the first time all season, the Orlando Magic played without Paolo Banchero.

The Orlando Magic is reeling after its three-game win streak was snapped by the Atlanta Hawks. It was the first game of the season that All-Star Paolo Banchero did not play in, and despite Wendell Carter Jr. stepping up with 18 points, it was clear that he was missed. 

With Banchero out, Cole Anthony had a usage percentage of 29.1 percent, up nearly six percentage points from his season average. To his credit, he added 15 points.

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After the game, Franz Wagner expressed how Orlando disappointed without their offensive engine. 

"We could’ve done a little bit better job, me personally as well," said Wagner. "But I think it’s a good challenge, and always here to learn and get better.”

While Banchero made his first All-Star game this season, Wagner is just as good as Paolo. In Banchero's absence, Wagner only shot 43.8 percent from the floor, but he was the hub on the offensive end, taking a team-leading 16 shots. 

He also led Orlando with 19 points, although occasionally looked lost on the offensive end with all the extra attention that Banchero usually commands. 

Center Jonathan Isaac also suffered a knee injury in the game. Both he and Banchero are currently day-to-day, but Paolo has only missed 11 games in his NBA career, so expect him to make a quick recovery from his illness.

Confidence in Banchero Accelerates After Win vs. Pistons

Isaac is much more injury-prone, but with his critical defensive role on the team come the postseason, expect the Magic to take precautions before his return, even if the injury did not seem very serious. 

The Magic will return to Orlando for a game on Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets, kicking off a mini-homestand, hosting the Nets, Utah Jazz, and Detroit Pistons.