Paolo Banchero continued his strong postseason despite the Orlando Magic‘s 106-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7. The one-time All-Star finished with 38 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block. He shot 10-28 from the field, 3-6 from three-point range and 15-18 from the free-throw line.
Following the game, the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year discussed his relationship with Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. Speaking at his post-game press conference, he stated:
Yeah, we had a moment when the clock was running down and he had the ball. He just told me he’s got a lot of respect for me and we shared words. It’s funny because he was the first guy that I kind of went at it with before I got in the league.
We were in a pick-up game together. There’s clips on Instagram and stuff, but we went at it in that pick-up game and that was our first time meeting each other and playing against each other. So, it’s funny how my first playoff series was against him, as well.
The first overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft averaged 27.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field, 40.0% from three-point range and 75.5% from the free-throw line during the series. After entering the season tied for the fourth-worst title odds, the Magic shattered expectations by winning 47 games – 9.5 more than their preseason over/under – and reaching the postseason. Despite the first-round exit, the future appears to be bright in Orlando.
Paolo Banchero praised by coach Jamahl Mosley
Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic were unable to make it out of the first round. Their season has been considered a wild success with the second-year forward playing a huge role in that. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley praised the one-time All-Star following the game, stating:
I’m going to say it over and over and over and over and over again. There’s a reason why this young man is an All-Star and will be All-NBA. Because he’s going to show up in big games.
He’s going to play to try to win – find a way to win – games. Not afraid of those moments and it’s obviously not the outcome we wanted, but to see this young man embrace the stage and embrace the spotlight in this moment is something that you can look forward to in the future.
Banchero had a strong second season in the league. He averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field, 33.9% from three-point range and 72.5% from the free-throw line during the series. At just 21 years old, he appears on the path to superstardom.
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