Magic forward Banchero has a high ankle sprain

AP:

The Orlando Magic are preparing to be without standout forward Paolo Banchero for what is expected to be several weeks after imaging confirmed he suffered a low-grade high right ankle sprain in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Magic announced the injury yesterday, one day after Banchero was hurt in the first half of a 115-93 defeat to Minnesota as Orlando fell to 0-2 on the season.

Banchero told The Orlando Sentinel after the game that he first began experiencing discomfort in the opening quarter. Despite the issue, he continued to play his regular minutes, logging 26 over the first three quarters before sitting out the fourth period with the result already largely decided.

There is no official timetable for his return, but a low-grade high ankle sprain typically requires several weeks, and in some cases months, to heal. If Banchero is sidelined for four weeks, he would miss approximately 13 games.

The 2024 All-Star had made an impressive start to the season, averaging team-best figures of 24.5 points and 7.5 assists per game, along with 6.5 rebounds, while shooting 70 per cent from the field.

For his career, the 2022 No. 1 overall draft pick is averaging 22.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game for Orlando.

The Magic went 7-3 in the 10 games Banchero missed last season.