Banchero’s career highs in both points and rebounds so far came on Nov. 5 against Sacramento with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Although the game went to overtime, he compiled those numbers during regulation. The Magic did lose, however, on a buzzer-beating shot by De’Aaron Fox from just past half-court.
Banchero’s most impressive performance during Orlando’s hot stretch of eight wins in nine games in December occurred during the second of back-to-back meetings in Boston when he exploded for 31 points and made six of his seven 3-point attempts.
Banchero proved in Orlando’s thrilling overtime victory over L.A. that he can handle the pressure-packed moments. He started the extra session with back-to-back buckets – one a mid-range jumper and the other a dunk – and then completed his 23-point performance with six straight free throws, including the go-ahead two with seven seconds left.
Although he turned his ankle late in the fourth quarter, Banchero was on his A-game throughout Orlando’s loss to Houston on Nov. 7. He scored 30 points in his first head-to-head regular season battle against Jabari Smith Jr., who was selected two spots after him in the 2022 NBA Draft.
The Magic’s first win of the year came against the Hornets in a blowout at Amway Center. Banchero led the way with 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Orlando outscored Charlotte by 27 when he was on the court.
In the final game of a four-game road trip, Banchero recorded 23 points and 13 rebounds and his driving layup with 48 seconds left sealed Orlando’s victory over Houston. The Magic trailed by as many as 15 in the second half.
Banchero’s No. 1 strength in the early stages of his career is his ability to initiate contact and get to the free throw line. That was on full display against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, as the 6-foot-10, 255-pounder took 15 foul shots, the most in a game so far in his career. He finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
In the second of two straight wins over the Raptors at Amway Center, Banchero had 20 points, 12 rebounds and five assists and his two jumpers in the final two minutes helped the Magic clinch the victory.