Jamahl Mosley reveals Paolo Bancher’s injury recovery plan

Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley stated how the team plans to reintegrate Paolo Banchero after a groin injury, which so far clearly indicated the All-Star forward’s return to the lineup. The update came Tuesday evening Orlando’s 144–103 NBA Championship victory over the Philadelphia 76ersa performance that pushed the Magic to 3–0 in East Group B play and further highlighted the team’s recent offense – part of which included Anthony Black’s career night.

Mosley said Banchero has remained highly engaged throughout his recovery, stressing the defensive principles and transition capabilities that the team believes it will ease his return once he is cleared.

“I think just keep going — he’s looking at it, he’s looking at it and he’s, you know, the number one guy that talks about how we defended, how we got out and ran, and that allows him to score baskets easier,” Mosley said. “So I think as we continue to defend the right way, we continue to get stops, we can go out and run to get easy baskets for everybody.”

Banchero, 23, suffered a groin injury during Orlando’s 124–107 win over the New York Knicks on Nov. 12. He has since been benched, during which the Magic went from 6–6 to 11–8 and are now tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference with the Atlanta Hawks. Before Sunday’s loss to the Boston Celtics, Banchero provided an upbeat update.

“I think I’m in a good place, I’m just doing some things in motion,” he told the Orlando Sentinel. “The groin feels really good, so the recovery is going well.”

“I’m definitely pretty close,” he added. “I don’t know when, but I definitely feel close.”

Magic’s offense grows during Paolo Banchero’s absence as depth shines in NBA Cup play

In 12 games this season, Banchero is averaging 21.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists on 46.1% shooting in 32.8 minutes per game.

Orlando’s recent improvement has been most visible on the offensive end. The Magic are averaging 119.6 points per game this season, ranking 10th in the NBA, but their three-point production remains at the bottom of the league at 11.7 points per game on 35.6 percent shooting. However, in the seven contests since Buncher’s injury, the Magic have grown 124.9 points per game — second only to the Utah Jazz (126.4) — while climbing to 11th in 3-pointers made (13.6 per game) and increasing their efficiency to 38.5% from beyond the arc.

A significant part of that boost came Tuesday night, when Black scored 31 points on 12-for-17 shooting in a burst that underscored the depth of the roster. His scoring burst, paired with Orlando’s ball movement, was a style that Mosley said will benefit Bunchera the most upon his return.

Mosley attributed the offensive rhythm to the team’s defensive discipline and willingness to share the ball.

“I really think we’re just talking about the running game, but more than anything, we’re talking about our defense. Our defense was able to sit back and get stops to be able to convert on the other end of the floor, and then we shared the basketball,” Mosley said. “I mean, you said 38 assists. Our ability to just trust the pass, to trust the open man — the right man gets the ball and I think that’s what’s so good about our guys, we guarded and we were able to split it up and move it and play the right way.”

As Banchero nears his return, the Magic will look to maintain the two-way identity that carried them through their most productive offensive stretch of the season. Orlando wraps up its current road trip Friday against the 15-2 Detroit Pistons in its final NBA Cup group stage game before returning to the Kia Center to host the Chicago Bulls on Monday.