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Magic Star Paolo Banchero Credits All-Star Snub for Renewed Focus

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Afseth | Last updated Mar 11, 2026 6:48 PM ET

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero had a lot of time to think over the All-Star break. Too much, maybe.

While the rest of the All-Star Game was being played, Banchero couldn't stop thinking about basketball. Specifically, about why he wasn't at Intuit Dome suiting up as one of the players picked in the Eastern Conference.

He didn't like what he saw when he watched the film back and found ways to use the rest of the season to improve how he's impacting his team.

"I looked in the mirror first," Banchero told Andscape. "I know I'm an All-Star in this league. My confidence is still the same. It's about being honest with yourself and realizing that you didn't really deserve to be an All-Star, honestly. It's about taking that with a grain of salt and being better in the second half of the season."

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesGary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Since the break, he's averaging 26.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists while shooting 50.8 percent from the floor. Only three other players in the entire league are matching that across the board in the same stretch: Jaylen Brown, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic. The Magic have gone 10-4 in their last 14 games.

What makes Banchero's impact more impressive is that he's elevated his game amid injuries to key teammates. Franz Wagner hasn't played in 25 of Orlando's last 29 games due to a left high ankle sprain. Jalen Suggs has also missed time.

"It's me accepting the challenge," Banchero said. "You're not going to stop them from scoring, but you can make it hard on them."

Banchero has begun to build a strong rhythm alongside offseason trade acquisition Desmond Bane. Bane is averaging 24.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 10 performances. Combining for 50.5 points per game during this span, Banchero and Bane have guided Orlando as Wagner has remained sidelined.

Prior to Wednesday's NBA games, the Magic sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, trailing the sixth seed by 1.5 games, with a 7-3 record since the break. Wagner is expected back before the postseason, which would give the Magic something they haven't had much of lately: a full roster heading into the games that matter most.

Beyond just being skipped for an All-Star nod, Banchero is motivated to help the Magic go further than a first-round exit, as the team has been the last two seasons.

"We've had two years of experience of losing in the first round," he said. "We don't want to taste that again. We're preparing for that."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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