Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) celebrates after a basket against the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Paolo Banchero's career-best night leads Magic over Pacers

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Oct 28, 2024 10:14 PM ET

Magic forward Paolo Banchero had the best game of his three-year NBA career on Monday night against the Pacers.

The No. 1 pick of the 2022 NBA Draft scored a career-high 50 points in Orlando's 119-115 win, shooting 16-of-26 from the court while finishing one assist shy of a triple-double, ending the game with 13 rebounds and nine assists.

Banchero scored 37 of his 50 points in the first half as the Magic built a 71-59 halftime lead.

It's the first 50-point game of the 2024-25 NBA season. Per ESPN's SportsCenter, Banchero is also the second-youngest player in league history to record 50 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a game, only trailing Lakers forward LeBron James.

FIRST 50 POINT GAME OF THE SEASON

PAOLO IS THE SECOND YOUNGEST PLAYER EVER WITH A 50/10/5 GAME, BEHIND ONLY LEBRON ✨ pic.twitter.com/jQ0E7ZIEME
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 29, 2024

According to the NBA's social media team, Banchero's ridiculous first-half, which also included seven rebounds and six assists, put him in impressive company.

He became just the third player of the play-by-play era (1997-98) to have at least 35 points, five rebounds and five assists in a half, joining Clippers guard James Harden and Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.

Paolo Banchero MONSTER 37-point 1st half AND a triple-double watch

37 PTS
7 REB
6 AST
3 3PM
13-17 FGM

He is the third player in the play-by-play era (1997-1998) to record at least 35 PTS, 5 REB and 5 AST in a half, joining James Harden and Donovan Mitchell! pic.twitter.com/faHD7Vdq4b
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2024

Banchero's best sequence during his career-best game arguably came with under two minutes left in the second quarter.

It began when Banchero made an exceptional defensive play, rising and preventing a slam dunk by Pacers center Myles Turner.

On Orlando's next possession, Banchero sunk a clean jumper over Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard to give the Magic a 65-54 advantage.

THE BLOCK AT THE RIM.

THE PULL-UP FOR 35.

PAOLO DOING IT ALL https://t.co/7NemLnBhwL pic.twitter.com/VjrswyEjcD
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2024

Banchero appears ready to take another leap after making his first All-Star Game appearance in 2023-24. If so, he'll likely bring the Magic with him.

Last season, he led Orlando to its first playoff appearance since the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season and its most wins (47) since 2010-11.

With his continued improvement, the Magic could be more dangerous this year.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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