According to statmuse.com on Monday, Paolo Banchero of Seattle, Washington became the fourth Orlando Magic player all-time to score 50 points in a game. He accomplished he feat when he reached the half century mark in points exactly in a 119-115 Magic win over the Indiana Pacers.
Banchero made 16 of 26 field goal attempts, three of nine three-point attempts, and of 15 of 22 free throw attempts. He also had a double-double, as Banchero had 13 rebounds (nine defensive rebounds and four offensive rebounds), nine assists, two blocks and one steal.
The other three Magic players to score 50 points or more in a game are Hall of Fame shooting guard Tracy McGrady of Bartow, Florida, Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal of Newark, New Jersey, and shooting guard Nick Anderson of Chicago, Illinois. McGrady accomplished the feat four times. He scored 62 points on March 10, 2004 in a 108-99 Magic win over the Washington Wizards, 52 points on February 21, 2003 in a 110-96 Magic win over the Chicago Bulls, 51 points on November 14, 2003 in a 106-101 Magic loss to the Denver Nuggets, and 50 points on March 8, 2002 in a 99-96 Magic win over the Washington Wizards. O’Neal had 53 points in a 121-101 Magic win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 20, 1994, and Anderson had 50 points in a 119-116 Magic won over the New Jersey Nets on April 23, 1993.
In 2024-25, Banchero is averaging 28.5 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game, six assists per game, and one block per game. He had a field goal percentage of .480, three point percentage of .391, and a free throw percentage of .635. The Magic lead the Southeast Division with a record of three wins and one loss.
This is the first time in Banchero’s career he has reached the 50-point mark and this is the first time during the 2024-25 NBA regular season that a player has scored 50 points in a game. The future continues to look extremely bright for the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year.
For FREE!
