Big blow for the ambitious Magic who will have to do without their leader for four to six weeks, Paolo Bancherovictim of a muscle tear in the right external oblique muscle of the abdomen. In the worst case scenario, the All-Star power forward could miss 21 games, or more than a quarter of the regular season.
“I felt it when it happened,” confessed Banchero Friday, before the game against the Cavaliers. “I didn't know what it was, but I knew I didn't feel good. I was hoping it wouldn't be too bad, but obviously it's a little more serious than I thought.”
The opportunity to grow and progress
Seventh scorer in the league with 29 points per game, Banchero started the season flat out with a performance of 50 points, but also 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists on average. “Luckily it’s not a three or four month injury”underlines the Orlando star. “I hope it’s only six weeks or something. I’m just trying to stay involved as much as possible and stay positive, take one day at a time and be ready to come back.”
As for his coach, who also had to do without Wendell Carter Jr, who suffered a knee injury, the coming weeks will be a test for his young squad. “It sucks…There’s no other way to say it”says Jamahl Mosley. “It’s a shame for him, considering how he started the season and how he was playing. But at the same time, we must admit that it is an opportunity for the guys to move forward, to assume their role, an opportunity for the guys to continue playing at our level of basketball. It’s also a new opportunity for him to grow, not necessarily physically, but mentally. He will participate in meetings with the coaches, he will see the game differently from the edge of the field, and it is an opportunity to progress.
