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Magic F is canceled indefinitely (torn obliquely)


Magic F is canceled indefinitely (torn obliquely)

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Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero will be sidelined indefinitely.

The Magic announced that Banchero suffered a torn right oblique in the Magic's 102-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Banchero will be reevaluated in four to six weeks, but no timetable has been set for his return.

Banchero's injury ends a historic start to his season. In five games, the 21-year-old averaged 29 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 36.4 minutes per game.

He scored 33 points and had 11 rebounds in the Magic's 116-97 season-opening win over the Miami Heat, joining Shaquille O'Neal and Tracy McGrady as the only players in franchise history to score 30-plus points and 10-plus Points received rebounds in the season opener. Banchero then scored a career-high 50 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists in the Magic's 119-115 win over the Indiana Fever, becoming the youngest player since LeBron James to score more than 50 points and more than 10 rebounds and more than five Points scored assisted in a game.

Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, was named the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year and earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. He then received his first All-Star nomination last season.

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