Paolo Banchero Injury Update
The Magic list Banchero as out due to a left groin strain and he missed the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 28. This will be his eighth straight absence after he got hurt against the New York Knicks on November 12.
Orlando has not announced an exact return date and the team staff keep describing his status as day to day with no set timeline. He continues to sit while he finishes rehab work and responds to treatment sessions.
What Banchero has said?
Banchero has talked about the injury and sounded positive about his recovery. He has said his groin feels good and that he is doing movement work again in practice settings.
He also said he feels pretty close to returning but cannot give an exact game when he will be back. That suggests the next step is clearing the final stages of rehab and getting full practice under his belt.
Impact on the Magic
Since the groin strain on November 12, the Magic have actually held a winning record and gone on a strong run even without their star forward. They have used players like Franz Wagner Jalen Suggs Desmond Bane and rookie Tristan da Silva to carry more of the scoring and creation load.
Still the team clearly sees Banchero as the main offensive engine and is eager to have him back once he is fully healthy. For now they prefer to be cautious so he can avoid a setback and return at full strength for the rest of the season.
Fantasy and betting angle
For fantasy basketball and betting Banchero should be treated as out until there is an official upgrade from the team or a report that he will play in a specific game. Short term value shifts slightly toward Franz Wagner and other primary ball handlers in Orlando while Banchero remains sidelined.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information, team updates, and player comments at the time of writing. The Orlando Magic have not announced an official return date for Paolo Banchero, and his timetable may change as further evaluations are completed. All injury details and recovery expectations are subject to updates from the team’s medical staff. Refer to official Magic announcements for the most accurate and current information.
