The Historical Context Behind Paolo Banchero's 50-Point Night for the Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic third-year All-Star forward Paolo Banchero's remarkable 50-point night vs. the Indiana Pacers was historic in many ways. Here's a roundup of all the accolades his stellar performance garnered.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) shoots the ball over Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) in the first quarter at Kia Center. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

ORLANDO, Fla. – Paolo Banchero left the NBA world in awe on Monday night when the Orlando Magic forward dropped 50 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and two blocks in his team's 119-115 win over the Indiana Pacers.

As the buckets kept piling and Banchero's superstardom grew, so too did the significance of his performance. For a multitude of reasons, the career night for Banchero will be remembered for a long time.

Here's a roundup of all the notables Banchero's performance either met or set:

50 total points

• The first 50-point performance of this NBA season.

• New career-high, surpassing his previous best of 43 points on January 3, 2024 at Sacramento

• Fourth Magic player all-time to score 50+ points in a single game, joining Tracy McGrady (4x), Nick Anderson and Shaquille O'Neal

• Youngest Magic player to ever record 50+ points in a game (21 years, 351 days), previously held by O'Neal (22 years, 45 days)

• Second-youngest player in NBA history with 50+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a game. Only James (20 years, 80 days) was younger.

• First 50-point performance since McGrady's 62 points (franchise record) on March 10, 2004.

• Fourth player in NBA history to record 50+ points and 10+ rebounds in a game at age 21 or younger, joining LeBron James, Jamal Mashburn and Rick Barry

• New single-game high for a Magic player vs. the Indiana Pacers, besting the previous mark of 49 by O'Neal on December 9, 1993.

37 first-half points

• Tied an Orlando Magic franchise record for most points in a single half set by Tracy McGrady, who scored 37 points on March 9, 2003 vs. the Denver Nuggets.

• Third player since 1996-97 (play-by-play era) with 30+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a single half (James Harden, Donovan Mitchell), but the first to do so in the first half.

• Tied a franchise record for most made field goals in a half (13), which was last achieved by Vince Carter on February 8, 2010 vs. New Orleans.

Related Stories on the Orlando Magic

• BANCHERO TAKEOVERS ARE BUSINESS AS USUAL: Maybe the nights won't always be this caliber. But for a player on a superstar track – a word used too loosely in the NBA but warranted here – these Paolo Banchero takeovers are the ones to get used to. CLICK HERE
• NBA ELITE REACT TO PAOLO'S 50: Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero scored 50 points in a dramatic comeback win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Basketball fans across the country — and the world — took notice. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC-PACERS RECAP: Behind 50 points from All-Star forward Paolo Banchero, the Orlando Magic outlasted the Indiana Pacers 119-115 on Monday night. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC'S MATURITY CAUSES TEAM TO LOOK IN MIRROR: The Orlando Magic are mature enough to realize when they don't meet expectations, as in Saturday night's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The learning curve continues Monday night. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC'S 2024-25 SCHEDULE: See the complete slate for the Orlando Magic in 2024-25 and all the details – dates, locations, TV, tip times and more – that you need to know. CLICK HERE

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