The injury Paolo Banchero suffered in the first half of the Orlando Magic’s 115-93 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves has been diagnosed as a high ankle sprain, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. While the team hasn’t issued a timeline for a return, this type of strain typically has a 4-6 week rehab.
The injury adds insult to the Magic’s sluggish 0-2 start to the new season, putting a damper on head coach Sean Sweeney’s rookie debut. After a disappointing first round exit from the playoffs last
year, Orlando did little to change their roster, hoping that the coaching switch would be enough to improve the team.
Banchero averaged 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 34.8 minutes per game over 72 appearances for Orlando last season.
The Magic’s fortune, or lack thereof, has loose ties to the Blazers, who control Orlando’s unprotected 2028 first round pick after the 2025 draft day trade that also netted Yang Hansen. If Orlando finds themselves outside of the playoffs in the much-improved Eastern Conference, the new lottery rules could prove a boon to Portland.
With each of the 16 lottery picks now being drawn, rather than just the top-five, and the Blazers also controlling the rights to swap with the Milwaukee Bucks, Portland has put themselves into a position to get a high pick in 2028 with a little help from Lady Luck.
While no one wants to see a player get hurt, it is difficult for Portland fans to resist the schadenfreude that allows them to dream big about the future. Here’s wishing Paolo Banchero a speedy recovery and hope that his return will not be enough to push the Orlando Magic into a deep playoff run until the year 2029.
