Paolo Banchero Returns for Magic vs. Heat After Injury

Orlando, Florida - Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero is set to return to the court on Friday night against the Miami Heat, marking his first appearance since sustaining a left groin strain on November 12 against the New York Knicks. The 2022 No. 1 overall draft pick has missed the team's last 10 games, during which Orlando compiled a 7-3 record to improve its overall mark to 13-9.

Banchero's injury sidelined the 23-year-old All-Star for three weeks, limiting him initially to noncontact drills such as running and jumping. Head coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized a cautious approach, stating after a recent practice that the team monitors Banchero's daily response to treatments and workouts. "At the end of the day, we always try to see how he's responding to each day and how he recovers that next day," Mosley said. Banchero himself expressed optimism earlier in his recovery, telling reporters on November 23 that he felt close to returning.

In 12 games before the injury, Banchero averaged 22.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 34.7 minutes per contest, shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 25.0 percent from three-point range and 76.1 percent from the free-throw line. His...