Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero spoke to The Mirror U.S. Sports about the growth of his young team, his own evolution as an NBA player and his unfortunate injury after facing the Knicks
18:32 ET, 13 Nov 2025Updated 18:49 ET, 13 Nov 2025
Paolo Banchero turned 23 as the Magic defeated the Knicks on Wednesday, snapping New York’s unbeaten start to the season as Madison Square Garden(Image: Getty Images)
“Not quite how I wanted it to go, but to get the win, that was the end goal.”
Paolo Banchero wanted to celebrate his birthday with a win at Madison Square Garden. Cue The Monkey’s Paw.
Banchero got his birthday present in the form of the Orlando Magic’s 124-107 victory over the New York Knicks, ending Mike Brown’s winning start at the Garden in 2025-26. But the 23-year-old left the game in the second quarter with just four points on the board, citing a groin injury. He was not the only star to get injured; Jalen Brunson is also set to be sidelined.
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It’s a sour note that has derailed an otherwise successful birthday for Banchero. The fourth-year wing is off to another strong start for the Magic this season; through 12 games, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick is averaging 21.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game on 46.1 percent shooting from the floor, helping the Magic — who entered the season with lofty expectations — fight back from a difficult start to sit at 6-6.
Orlando currently sits 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, which is not where the franchise hopes or plans to be for much longer. Banchero is certainly eyeing the deep run so many expect out of the Magic in 2026, and he’s ready to be the leading man.
“Just an all-around superstar,” Banchero exclusively told The Mirror U.S. Sport when asked what player he hopes to become this season. “Someone who can play both sides of the ball at a high level and make plays. Someone that can propel us to have great success in the playoffs through the first round, getting to the conference finals, finals — just playing deep into the postseason and making an impact.”
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Paolo Banchero was an All-Star in 2024 and remains one of the most exciting young players in the NBA(Image: Getty Images)
To reach the playoffs and enjoy a deep postseason run, the kind that Banchero is seeking, the Magic must continue to build chemistry with star trade acquisition Desmond Bane, who scored 22 points against the Knicks. Jamahl Mosley will want Banchero on the floor as much as possible, and definitely not sidelined with injury like last season..
While he is set for an MRI to assess the extent of the damage, and he’s already been ruled out of the clash with the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, Banchero is confident the injury won’t sideline him for too long. “Honestly, I’m feeling good. I mean, obviously a little hurt, but I think back to my oblique injury and just kind of how I felt — I couldn’t really move at all, and it was scary in a way because I didn’t know what it was until I got the MRI.
“This one, I felt my groin pull, but I was warming up in here trying to go back out, and they told me if there were a tear or anything really bad, I wouldn’t be able to even move. So that’s encouraging, but I’m going to get an MRI to confirm whatever it is and see what the recovery looks like.
The Magic have a strong young core built around Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner(Image: Getty Images)
“Hopefully, I can get back out here soon. Sucks that it was on my birthday and all that. But everything happens for a reason. I just want to get back home, get healthy, and get back out there with my guys as soon as I can.”
The Magic have won each of their last two games, steadying the ship after a tremendously up-and-down first portion of the season. Whether he’s sidelined for some time or not, Banchero believes Orlando is growing on both sides of the ball.
He called on the team to maintain their physical identity on defense, while the offense focuses on getting players good shots, as opponents are always looking to pack the paint whenever possible. Ultimately, despite the iffy start, Banchero is confident he can be the superstar he hopes to be while leading the Magic to compete for a top seed.
“I think we’ve been coming on pretty well in the last couple of games, and so to see that continue in a tough environment against a good team is definitely encouraging for the whole team,” Banchero continued. “We started off rough, but it’s a long season. There’s so much basketball to play. We have the ability to get it rolling and can grow in all areas.”