In a showdown of top 2022 NBA rookies with teams headed in opposite directions, No. 1 overall draft pick Paolo Banchero leads his Orlando Magic into Toyota Center on Wednesday to face No. 3 pick Jabari Smith Jr. and the struggling Houston Rockets.
The Magic (11-21) have won six of their last seven games. Their lone loss was by a single point in Atlanta on Monday. Meanwhile, the Rockets (9-21) have lost three straight at home inside Toyota Center, including back-to-back blowout losses to Portland and San Antonio.
With No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren out for the season in Oklahoma City due to injury, Banchero and Smith are the NBA’s top active rookies by draft status. To this point, as many expected prior to the draft, Banchero has proven more physically ready in his first season.
Banchero is averaging 21.8 points (44.8% FG, 31.3% on 3-pointers), 6.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 34.8 minutes per game with the Magic, while Smith is tallying 11.9 points (37.6% FG, 34.1% on 3-pointers) and 7.1 rebounds in 30.3 minutes for the Rockets.