After being sidelined for more than two months with a torn oblique ligament, he is staring ahead Paolo Banchero will reportedly return to action on Thursday or Friday. As expected, the magic have officially listed the former No. 1 overall pick as questionable for Thursday’s game against Minnesota.

According to Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel (Twitter video links), Banchero spoke to the media after Thursday’s shooting about his long layoff and what he learned during his absence. The 21-year-old said more time watching helped him process the game differently, but he is ready to get back on the pitch.

“I feel like my coaching career is over. I’m glad it’s overBanchero said jokingly. “I want to start playing again, but it was fun while it lasted.”

Banchero also spoke about how he sustained the injury and what he learned from the incident, tweets Josh Robbins of The Athletic.

“I think it was a play where I did something like a jump pass and twisted my body in a weird way and just felt itsaid Banchero. “It happens, and I think some of it has to do with fatigue, which is partly due to me. I played really well, so maybe I didn’t say anything to the boys or the team when I was tired. So I think maybe fatigue has something to do with just playing so hard. So I definitely need to start listening to my body. No matter how well I play, if I’m dead tired, I have to get out of the game.”

Here’s more about the magic:

• Despite several key players being injured, the struggling Magic are confident they can compete with any team in the NBA, Beede said. “We can literally bring out any five players and compete against each other“, big man Wendell Carter said. “The proof is now in the pudding. We competed against some of the best teams in the league and won. It’s really just a belief system.” Jalen suggestswho is out due to a back strain, contributes significantly to the team’s conviction. “Suggs is the heart of this team,” guard Cole Anthony said. “Of course we miss him, but we know we will have his support whether he plays or not. It’s great to have a guy like that on our side and I can’t wait to get him back.”
• Carter missed 12 games early in the season because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He said after Monday’s win in New York that he was starting to get into shape, Beede writes for The Orlando Sentinel. “I’m definitely starting to get my loot backsaid Carter, who scored a season-high 19 points against the Knicks. “That’s something I kind of lost when I came down early. Coming back and trying to get back in tune with the team – from the starting XI after a few games, coming off the bench and back into the starting XI, with players coming in and going out – it’s quite difficult for me to just get into my groove find . But it’s a big compliment to my teammates. They keep me entertained and show me how good a player I am when I’m aggressive.”
• center Moritz Wagner underwent successful surgery on Wednesday to repair the torn ACL in his left knee, the Magic announced in a press release (Twitter link). The German big man will miss the rest of the 2024/25 season. Wagner could be eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer if Orlando declines the $11 million team option in his 25/26 contract.