Paolo Banchero posts 25 points, seven rebounds to close preseason win

He added four assists after a 16-point first half.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 21h1 min read

walk off the court with Paolo Banchero! https://t.co/Zn47dkrz3T Via @OrlandoMagic on X

What happened: Banchero capped his fourth 2026-27 NBA preseason appearance by walking off the court following the victory. The outing extended an efficient tune-up stretch for Paolo Banchero after connecting from three-point range earlier in preseason play.

Why it matters: Consecutive 20-plus-point preseason outings put Banchero in rhythm ahead of the 2026-27 regular-season tip-off. With the roster trimmed to 17 players, including three two-way contracts, prior to opening night, his scoring and playmaking anchor the rotation entering the campaign.

By the numbers: Banchero recorded 25 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in his fourth preseason game after posting 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the first half. In his Oct. 14 preseason appearance, he shot 10-of-13 (76.9%) from the field for 20-plus points and finished plus-19.

What to watch: Banchero now transitions from preseason tune-ups to the 2026-27 NBA regular-season opener.

Sources

@OrlandoMagic 2026-10-18T12:49:31.263803+00:00

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