Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero had a quiet night in his last two games but on the third one, he went off.
The 2023 Rookie of the Year became the first player to score 50 points this season as he willed his team to a hard-fought victory against the Indiana Pacers, 119-115.
Banchero was red hot from the get go. He finished the first half with 37 points, 7 rebounds, and six assists on 81 percent shooting. He finished the game with an almost triple double. He got 12 rebounds and dished out nine assists.
The 21-year-old became the youngest power forward ever to score 50 points in a single game, surpassing Lebron James who did it in 2006 while still part of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“It was just being in the zone,” Banchero said after the game.
“Felt like I was in an open gym, back at home, just working on my game. Every shot felt like it was going in and it’s a good feeling when you’ve got a day like that. Not every game is going to be like that, but I’m glad today was.”
His teammate Jalen Suggs was in awe of what Banchero displayed Monday night.
“He has one of the most special bags in the leagues… he wants to do whatever needs to be done to get a win. Tonight it was a 50-ball. We needed that to get this dub”
Where does Paolo Banchero’s 50-point game rank in Magic history?
It was only Banchero’s first 50-point game. But as Suggs suggested, there is a possibility he will be able to duplicate or surpass the feat.
How many points does he need to set the Magic record? He will need to be 12 points better than his latest Pacers game.
Top of the list of highest scoring game in Magic history is Tracy McGrady who scored 62 point against the Washington Wizards in March 2024. Next is legendary Shaquille O’Neal who had 53 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1994.
McGrady scored 52 in 2003 and then 51 against the Denver Nuggets in the same year.
Banchero’s 50 is currently tied for fifth spot in the ranking together with Nick Anderson (1993) and McGrady again (March 2002)
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