Injured Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero is reportedly expected to return to court this week

Injured Orlando Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero is expected to return to the court this week, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.

According to the report, Banchero will return either Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves or Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Banchero has been out since October 30th due to a torn oblique ligament he sustained in the game against the Chicago Bulls.

Banchero has played in just five games and missed 33 this season. It’s one of many injuries to key Magic players, including an oblique tear that has sidelined breakout forward Franz Wagner for 13 games and counting as of Dec. 6.

Despite the injuries, the Magic are off to a 22-16 start, good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Banchero, a third-year pro and the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, made his first All-Star team last season and helped the Magic to their first playoff appearance since 2020. In the five games he This season, Banchero improved his All-Star numbers across the board. Before his injury, Banchero was averaging 29 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 34.4% on 6.4 3-point attempts per game.

Banchero returns to a Magic team capable of competing for a spot in the top half of the Eastern Conference playoff round after securing the No. 5 seed and losing to Cleveland in the first round of last postseason Cavaliers had lost. Wagner, meanwhile, has no clear timetable for his return. His brother and Magic backup Moritz Wagner is out for the season due to a torn cruciate ligament.