Paolo Banchero has been diagnosed with a torn right oblique. Banchero will be out indefinitely and his return to play will depend on how he responds to treatment. He will be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks. Banchero suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Orlando’s game at Chicago on Oct. 30.
Banchero has played and started in five games this season with Orlando, averaging 29.0 ppg., 8.8 rpg. and 5.6 apg. in 36.4 minpg. He has led (or tied) the team in scoring three times, in rebounding twice and in assists three times. Banchero has scored in double figures five times, 20+ points three times and 30+ points three times, including a career-high 50 points on Oct. 28 vs. Indiana. He became the fourth player in franchise history to score 50+ points in a game. At 21 years-351 days old, Banchero became the youngest player in franchise history with a 50+ point game, while also becoming the second-youngest player in NBA history with 50+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a game (LeBron James, 20 years-80 days, 2005).
