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Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero expressed full support for the franchise’s shift toward a “win-now” mentality, following comments made earlier Thursday by team president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman. Speaking during his exit interview, Banchero reflected on the team’s first-round playoff exit to the defending champion Boston Celtics and addressed the growing expectations surrounding both his own development and the team’s future.
“Yeah, it definitely excites me to hear that, you know, we are trying to win now,” Banchero said. “I think that’s always been the goal, but to hear him say it I think is good, and I’m looking forward to whatever happens. At the end of the day, we all want to win, so whatever is being done to contribute to winning more games and winning in the postseason, I’m all for it.”
Paolo Banchero reflects on injury-riddled season and late surge as Magic persevere through adversity
The Magic’s 2024-25 season concluded with a 120-89 loss to Boston in Game 5 of their first-round series. Despite the early exit, the team battled through a challenging year marked by injuries to key players. Banchero and Franz Wagner each sustained torn oblique injuries that limited them to 46 and 60 games, respectively. Jalen Suggs (35 games) and Moritz Wagner (30 games) both suffered season-ending injuries earlier in the year. Even with those setbacks, Orlando finished with a 41-41 record, won the Southeast Division for the second straight season, and clinched a playoff berth through the NBA Play-In Tournament.
“I would just say how tough of a year it was, how many ups and downs there were, but also how we responded,” Banchero said. “The stuff that we went through and just how we were able to still make the best of it. I think the guys in the locker room, we really stuck together through some tough times and got us to where we ended up.”
Banchero averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 32 percent from three across 46 appearances. After missing two months with the oblique injury, the 22-year-old found his rhythm late in the year. Following the All-Star break, he posted 29.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 47.3 percent shooting — second only to MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in scoring over that span.
“I think it was a little disappointing for me just going down with the injury and then coming back and having to work my way into shape,” Banchero said. “But I think I was happy with how I was able to respond and finish strong.”
Banchero embraces rising pressure and reaffirms commitment to Orlando ahead of pivotal offseason
With back-to-back first-round exits now in the rearview, Banchero acknowledged that expectations for the 2025-26 season will rise.
“Yeah, I think every year builds more pressure,” he said. “There’s definitely more pressure after this year because, like you say, you go out two years in the first round. Next year, you don’t want to go out in the first round. I think that would be looked at as not a success. So now, the mindset is, how can we do everything it takes to make sure that’s not the case?”
Looking ahead, Banchero is also eligible for a five-year, $246 million rookie max extension this offseason, a figure that could increase to $296 million if he earns an All-NBA selection next year. Despite the rising stakes, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick made it clear he feels at home in Orlando.
“I mean, I love it here, man,” Banchero said. “It’s a place that I love spending time. My family loves spending time here. I couldn’t be more happy to be a part of the Orlando Magic. So, I look forward to spending a lot more years here.”
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Nikola Jokic on the cusp of a streak never achieved in 79-year NBA history
Nikola Jokic on Wednesday became the third player ever to start a season with four consecutive triple-doubles, joining Oscar Robertson (1961-62) and Russell Westbrook (2020-21) in exclusive company. If the Denver Nuggets star can make it five in a row against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, he'll achieve a streak never recorded in the 79-year history of the NBA, per the Associated Press. Nikola Jokic on pace to eclipse the Big O Jokic recorded the 168th triple-double of his career on Wednesday, finishing with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the Nuggets' 122-88 blowout victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Serbian star is just 13 shy of tying Robertson for second on the leaderboard and 35 away from equaling Westbrook, the all-time leader. Unless he suffers an injury, Jokic is a lock to surpass "The Big O" this season, considering he amassed a career-high 34 last season. It also doesn't seem far-fetched for Jokic to tie or surpass Westbrook's record of 203 triple-doubles this season. For one, Westbrook, who has assumed a bench role with the Sacramento Kings, won't put up the gaudy numbers he did during his prime with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Furthermore, Jokic's recent career progression suggests a steady increase in the number of triple-doubles year-over-year. Nikola Jokic's rapid-fire triple-doubles Jokic had only 16 triple-doubles when he won his first MVP in 2020-21, a number that rose to 19 when he clinched his second Michael Jordan Trophy the following season. That total increased to 25 when he earned his third MVP in 2023-24, and then to 34 last year, when he became the first center ever to average a triple-double for a season. If the recent trend is any indication, Jokic will likely accumulate at least 40 triple-doubles this season, making him the all-time leader. Another remarkable trend in Jokic's triple-doubles is the rapidity with which he gets them. On Wednesday, he sat out the fourth quarter, marking the 17th time in his career when he reached a triple-double mark while logging less than 30 minutes. According to the NBA, Jokic leads both Robertson and Westbrook for most such games. Jokic similarly had more triple-doubles within three quarters than the entire NBA combined last season. And that was when the Nuggets had questionable depth, leading to the firing of head coach Michael Malone. This season, Denver is significantly better, giving Jokic many more chances to record triple-doubles and sit out the fourth quarter.
Yankees Unlikely to Sign Red Sox Star
After finding who they hope is their starting third baseman for the next few seasons in Ryan McMahon, who is under contract through 2027, the New York Yankees aren't expected to pursue one of the top infielders available in free agency this offseason. McMahon Could Prevent Bregman Pursuit With the outfield, starting rotation and bullpen all profiling as more pressing needs for the Yankees at the moment, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch stated that the club is unlikely to make an attempt to sign Alex Bregman over the next few months with McMahon already on their roster. "It seems a safe bet that they'll go into the season with Ryan McMahon at third base," Hoch wrote. "McMahon’s defense was a vast improvement over what they had at the hot corner previously, and even though his bat didn’t play up to expectations (.641 OPS in 54 games), he delivered a few clutch moments. McMahon is earning $32 million through 2027, which likely precludes a serious run at a free agent like Alex Bregman." Bregman's History as a Yankees Rival There's been just about no point throughout his big-league career where Bregman wasn't essentially viewed as a villain in some capacity by Yankees fans. The three-time All-Star was a member of the Houston Astros from 2016 to 2024, and he faced New York in the postseason on three occasions during that stretch. All of those meetings came in the American League Championship Series (2017, 2019, 2022), and Houston emerged victorious each time. The Astros' sign-stealing scandal, which came to light after the 2019 campaign, furthered the vitriol New York's fan base had already held towards Bregman and Houston as well. The Yankees were rumored to have interest in Bregman as a free agent last offseason, however, but they never made an all-out attempt to sign him. He instead joined the Boston Red Sox, New York's bitter AL East rival, on a three-year, $120 million deal that he is opting out of in order to reach the open market once again this winter. Bregman ended up posting an .821 OPS with 18 home runs in 114 games for Boston during the regular season before getting eliminated in the Wild Card Series by the Yankees during the playoffs. Why Bregman Isn't a Fit for New York Unless the Yankees plan on trading McMahon or even Jazz Chisholm Jr., which could open up second base for Bregman if he were open to a position change, the latter wouldn't make sense as a target for the club. Sure, he's still a fantastic player who is one of the league's more consistent hitters (career .848 OPS) and a Gold Glove-level defender at third base, but New York 's financial resources should be used to upgrade other areas of its roster this offseason. It doesn't help that Bregman is entering his age-32 season either, which makes handing him a long-term deal all the more risky. Though he'd improve an already-potent Yankees lineup, adding Bregman simply isn't in the cards for the Yankees. Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more! Dodgers Can Learn From Yankees Dynasty Can Yankees Still Rely On Their Superstar Slugger? Will Yankees Lose Cody Bellinger to NL Contender? Yankees Chasing All-Star Reliever? Yankees Named Top Trade Partner for Four Players
Three NHL coaches in danger of a midseason firing
The NHL season is just about a month in, with nearly every team having played 10 games so far. While several teams, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken and Detroit Red Wings, have exceeded expectations, many have fallen short. A disappointing start means many coaches will face the ire of fans who call for their dismissal, fair or not. Which bench bosses are actually in danger of a mid-season firing? Let's take a look at three NHL coaches on the hot seat. Andrew Brunette, Nashville Predators After a brief stint as the Florida Panthers' interim head coach in 2021-22, Brunette was hired by the Predators in May 2023. So far, his results have been less than stellar. After a first round exit in 2024, the Predators ramped up that offseason, adding big names such as Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei. Brunette was unable to translate this into success, as the Predators finished with just 30 wins and the third worst record in the NHL. This season, Nashville's struggles have continued, with a 4-5-2 record, good for 26th overall. Stamkos has just one goal and two points through 11 games and goaltender Juuse Saros sports a .905 save percentage, far below his career average of .914. With a 30th-ranked goals for per game (2.45) and power play (11.8%), if the Predators don't turn things around, Brunette could be the first head coach let go. Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres The Sabres currently have the NHL's longest postseason drought at 14 seasons and have hopes of turning around their fortunes for the 2025-26 season. Ruff, who coached the Sabres from 1997-2013, returned to Buffalo for the 2024-25 season, which the Sabres ended in 26th place. After a rough 0-4-1 start, the Sabres bounced back, going 4-1-2 in their next seven games. However, as of Thursday, Buffalo is still out of a playoff spot as the Thanksgiving benchmark looms. The Sabres will need to improve their 12th-worst 3.10 goals against average, which should be helped as starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has returned from injury. While Ruff may have a little bit off leeway, come mid-season, if Buffalo doesn't project to play meaningful games in March and April, the Sabres may move on from the long-time NHL coach. John Hynes, Minnesota Wild Hynes' first two seasons in Minnesota have yielded subpar results: a sixth-place finish in 2023-24 and first round loss to Vegas in 2024-25. Although the Wild have made the playoffs eight of the past 10 seasons, they've yet to make it past the first round in any of those years. With superstar Kirill Kaprizov committing to Minnesota with a record breaking eight-year, $136 million contract, the Wild and Hynes desperately need to capitalize on the winger's prime years. A 3-5-3 start sees Minnesota in seventh place in the Central Division. They've struggled to keep the puck out of their net (fourth worst GAA in the league) and score at 5v5 (15 5v5 goals, worst in the league), leaving Hynes with some work to do. If Hynes can't turn things around in the State of Hockey, a mid-season firing may need to happen to jump start the team.
Bengals' Joe Flacco gives promising injury update ahead of Bears game
A report earlier this week noted that Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback Joe Flacco might miss Sunday's home game against the Chicago Bears (4-3). He suffered an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder during Cincinnati's Week 8 loss to the New York Jets. Flacco later practiced in full on Thursday, and he sounded confident about his availability while speaking with reporters on Friday. How is Joe Flacco feeling ahead of Bengals-Bears clash? "I've never really talked about injuries before, so I don't know what to say, but yeah, I feel good," Flacco explained, per Russ Heltman of Sports Illustrated. The Bengals are expected to be without Week 1 QB1 Joe Burrow until at least "mid-December" after he had surgery to repair the toe injury he suffered in Week 2. Temporary fill-in Jake Browning played poorly across three starts, all of which he lost, and the Bengals subsequently acquired Flacco from the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 7. Flacco likely would've led Cincinnati to consecutive wins if he and his offense hadn't been let down by the Bengals' defense during the Oct. 26 game against the Jets. On Friday, he indicated that the idea of skipping the Bears game to recover during Cincinnati's Week 10 bye never crossed his mind. "I didn't really give it much thought," Flacco said. "You're the quarterback, you know, and then you take it from there. So I think my initial instinct is always whatever we can do to get there and then adjust." Joe Flacco felt "obligation" to try to keep Bengals in playoff hunt Whispers suggest the Bengals might part ways with veteran pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson before the Nov. 4 trade deadline if they drop to 3-6 this weekend and get "exorbitant draft-pick compensation" in exchange for him. Understandably, Flacco had other things on his mind. "There's always a sense of obligation to go out there and be there for your team," Flacco added. "I missed my second son's birth (Sept. 2013) because I thought it was important for the quarterback to be out there. I didn't know I was going to miss it, like, it just so happened that he came on that day, but I do feel a sense of obligation being out there for the guys that you play with." Shortly after Flacco wrapped up his remarks, ESPN BET had the 3-5 Bengals as 2.5-point home underdogs against the Bears.
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