Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been diagnosed with a torn right oblique, the team announced Thursday.
Banchero, who suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Orlando’s loss to the Bulls on Wednesday, will be out indefinitely, and his return to play will depend on how he responds to treatment.
According to the Magic, he will be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks.
Banchero is off to a great start. In five games this season, Banchero is averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per contest. He has led (or tied) the team in scoring three times, including a career-high 50 points on Oct. 28 vs. Indiana. He became the fourth player in franchise history to score 50-plus points in a game.
At 21 years 351 days old, Banchero became the youngest player in franchise history with a 50-plus point game while also becoming the second-youngest player in NBA history with 50-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, and 5-plus assists in a game (LeBron James, 20 years 80 days, 2005).
The Magic (3-2) will miss their star and leading scorer, and they must find a way to win games without their best player.
Orlando travels to Cleveland on Friday to face the undefeated Cavs (5-0).
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