Former Duke Blue Devils stars have made plays across the NBA all season long, nothing unusual. However, former No. 1 overall pick [autotag]Paolo Banchero[/autotag] has been missing for quite a while as he recovers from a torn oblique.
Luckily for the Orlando Magic, though, Banchero is set to make his return to the lineup this week.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Banchero is expected to return to action in one of Orlando’s upcoming home games. The Magic host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday and the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
Banchero suffered his injury on Oct. 30 and hasn’t seen any action since. When healthy, he was playing some of his best basketball. Through just five games, he averaged 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while shooting 49.5% from the field and 34.4% from 3-point range, a personal best in all five categories. He put together his first 50-point game against the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 28.
Banchero isn’t the only injury the Magic have suffered this season. Fellow starters Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs have both missed time, as has backup center Mo Wagner, but Orlando is still 22-16 for the year.