Orlando Magic young superstar
Paolo Banchero will be sidelined indefinitely due to a torn right
oblique, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. 

The 6-foot-10 forward will be
re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks with his return depending on his response
to treatment. 

ANALYSIS: This is a tough break
for the Magic currently with a 3-2 record. Banchero has been a big
part of that, averaging over 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists
in 5 games. He had a good start to the season, scoring 50 points,
13 rebounds, and 9 assists to become the second youngest player
since LeBron James to have that statline. 

Now the Magic will be scrambling
and look to their bench to supplant Banchero’s production. This
could mean additional minutes for Jonathan Isaac, who has not
played that much to start the year. This could also mean more
offensive load for Banchero’s co-star Franz Wagner, as he would be
tasked to lead and score more for Orlando. Rookie forward Tristan
da Silva would also likely get some run off the bench as players
like Jett Howard, Caleb Houstan, and Anthony Black move up the
rotational hierarchy. 

This would be an interesting
month of November for the young Magic as they try to keep in step
with the East.