Already dealing with a tough start to the season, the Orlando Magic could be without their all-star for the foreseeable future.
Forward Paolo Banchero exited Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks after suffering a left groin strain, the team announced. The Magic won 124-107.
Head coach Jamahl Mosley told reporters after the game that Banchero would be reevaluated when the team returns to Orlando. They play again on Friday when they host the Brooklyn Nets.
Banchero suffered the injury in the second quarter. It's unclear how he was hurt, but he was taken out of the game at the 6:40 mark of the frame and was deemed questionable to return by the team soon after. He was ruled out at the start of the second half.
Up to that point in the game, Banchero had four points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 12 minutes.
Banchero, who turned 23 on Wednesday, has taken a slight step back offensively in his fourth season, averaging 23.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 34.6 minutes a night. He scored 25.9 a night last year but missed a chunk of the campaign with an oblique injury.
The Magic, who many expected to be a strong team in the East, have been sluggish out of the gates with a 4-6 record heading into Wednesday's game. They have the 19th-ranked offence and the 14th-ranked defence and sit 10th in the Eastern Conference.




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