Banchero Notes Improvement After Groin Strain as Magic Study NBA Cup Loss; Wagner Out for Road Trip
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December 14, 2025 — Forward Paolo Banchero says he is regaining rhythm four games into his return from a left groin strain, even though his production remains below his career averages.
“I’m feeling better every game,” the 2024 All-Star told reporters, adding that he is no longer preoccupied with the injury. Since rejoining the lineup, Banchero is averaging 17.0 points and 5.5 rebounds, compared with his career marks of 22.2 points and 7.1 boards.
Banchero finished with 25 points and eight rebounds in Orlando’s NBA Cup semifinal loss to the Knicks, shaking off a quiet first half. He went 0-for-7 from three-point range and said he hopes to draw more fouls and reduce turnovers going forward.
Wagner’s Return Delayed
Center Moritz Wagner, recovering from the ACL tear he suffered a year ago, will miss the Magic’s upcoming four-game road trip, head coach Jamahl Mosley told reporters. Wagner recently expressed confidence about an imminent return, but the team has opted for additional recovery time.
Mosley, Players Focus on Lessons Learned
Mosley praised his club’s competitiveness in the semifinal. “We fought. We battled,” he said, pointing to missed second-chance opportunities and key rebounds that swung the game toward New York.
Guard Desmond Bane echoed the need for greater defensive consistency, noting that the Knicks operated “too comfortably” for most of the night. A brief third-quarter surge, he said, showed what Orlando can do when its intensity rises.
Banchero called the Cup exit “motivating,” saying the high-stakes matchup highlighted areas the Magic must sharpen before spring. Bane added that such postseason-style games provide essential adversity for a young roster aiming to contend later in the year.
Source: HoopsRumors
