Magic Coach Jamahl Mosley Provides Paolo Banchero Health Update

ORLANDO, Fla. – For about 10 minutes or so each, both Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley and forward Franz Wagner fielded questions Sunday about the fourth-year forward's diagnosis of a torn right oblique.

The news came down suddenly Saturday afternoon, and it was the first chance either of them had to speak with the media since then. Questions about their emotions, knowledge of the situation and path forward were addressed. But, so too was the fact that this injury is not new to the Magic this season.

Earlier this year, All-Star forward Paolo Banchero met the same fate following the team's 102-99 loss at Chicago. Orlando landed in Cleveland, and the former No. 1 overall pick got further testing on a nagging oblique injury that was causing some discomfort. Orlando later learned it'd be without Banchero for an indefinite period of time due to a torn right oblique of his own, and the Magic set off without the 6-10 All-Star for the first extended period of his career.

In the five-plus weeks since then, Banchero has done everything except play in an effort to stay involved. But just recently, he told Magic on SI and the Orlando Sentinel that he made a return to the court for the first time during Orlando's practice time in Brooklyn. The action was  – some spot-shooting and some ball-handling, but it was progress. For the first time in over a month, "it felt good" to be back on the floor.

So, as Mosley's pregame availability wound down, Mosley was asked if the Magic had an update on Banchero's timeline for a return, given his team would be without either of its two leading men for at least some time.

"I think that's again why we don't put timelines on it because each guy is unique and each guy is different in the way in which they recover," Mosley said. "He's responding to the things that we're having him do, which is some ball-handling, some light movement on the court – he's responding to that well. But again, that's why we'll just take it one day at a time and see how he responds each day."

Banchero opened the 2024-25 season – his third in the NBA – on torrid pace. Through five games, he was averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 49.5 FG% and 34.4 3PT% splits – all marks being on pace for a career-high. Following a Rookie of the Year campaign in year one and a first-ever All-Star appearance in year two, he possibly projected for an All-NBA slot in year three.

During an installment of his monthly player diary series, Banchero told ESPN and Andscape's Marc Spears that he felt he could return by Christmas. Orlando, upon his initial injury diagnosis, said he'd be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks and a timetable for a return to play would be determined by how he responds to treatment.

The Magic continue embracing their next-man-up mentality in his and Wagner's absence. But Orlando will certainly be keen to reintegrate Banchero when the time is right.