Following a 34-game absence due to a torn right abdominal muscle, Paolo Banchero returned to the Kia Center court Friday against the Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 41 points and 14 rebounds, helping lead the visiting Milwaukee Bucks to a 109-106 win over the Orlando Magic. Damian Lillard added 29 points, while Bobby Portis and Khris Middleton added 11 apiece off the bench,

Having Banchero back in the mix gives the Magic offense a whole new set of weapons. And if he’s able to return to the form he evidenced in the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign, then he should be able to keep the Magic as one of the best teams in the East as the regular season rapidly approaches its mid-point.

Paolo Banchero has made his return to the Orlando Magic lineup Friday night after a 34-game absence due to a torn oblique muscle.

Orlando Magic forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner maintained their top-10 standing in the second returns of NBA All-Star fan voting Thurs.

There is NBA action on Thursday, Jan. 9 that includes a matchup that could feature a major return as the Orlando Magic host the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Kia Center in Orlando, Fla.

After Wednesday’s historic showdown at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse that saw the Cavs pull away with a 129-122 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, there were no minced words in Cleveland’s locker room of their belief that they should be heavily represented at the All-Star Game in San Francisco.

Former Duke Blue Devils stars have made plays across the NBA all season long, nothing unusual. However, former No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero has been missing for quite a while as he recovers from a torn oblique.