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Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 pick of the 2022 NBA Draft, could miss his first game of the season for the Orlando Magic. He has been off to a sensational start, justifying the Magic’s decision to get him over every other aspirant of the aforementioned draft.
Orlando is struggling yet again, but if there’s any consolation this early in the NBA season, it has to be Banchero’s spectacular play. He is averaging 23.5 points, which leads the team, on 46.1% shooting. Banchero has added a team second-best 8.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 11 games so far.
As good as the former Duke superstar has been, he looked like he was starting to get more rhythm to his offense. He had a career-high 33 points against the Sacramento Kings before following it up with 30 points versus the Houston Rockets.
The Orlando Magic, however, have officially listed him as questionable due to an ankle sprain. He most likely suffered the injury in their loss to the Rockets. Orlando now has several players on their NBA injury report, including Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris and Moritz Wagner.
They are likely going to have a tough time against the Luka Doncic-led Dallas Mavericks in their next game.
Meanwhile, Chris Paul played just 14 minutes in the Phoenix Suns’ loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. “CP3” just had two points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals before exiting the game.
Paul collided with an undetermined Philly player in the second quarter of that game and did not return. The Suns have officially listed him as questionable due to right heel soreness.
After the game, the 12x All-Star merely shrugged off the injury as nothing more than the Phoenix Suns being extremely cautious. They are already without two significant players from last season’s team, Jae Crowder and Cam Johnson, but will not risk the 37-year-old point guard.
Chris Paul is averaging 9.5 points and 9.4 assists in 10 games this season. The Suns will undoubtedly miss his playmaking and leadership. Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet could see more minutes at point guard without “CP3.”
Pascal Siakam: Right adductor strain; Injured since November 4, 2022
Former NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam has strained his right adductor and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. He suffered the injury in the Toronto Raptors’ heartbreaking loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Siakam was removed from the game in the third quarter and didn’t return.
Siakam has played at an All-Star level this season, averaging career-high numbers in scoring (24.8), rebounding (9.3) and assists (7.7). He has never played this well, not even during his lone All-Star selection during the 2019-20 season.
The Raptors will give an update after he is re-evaluated.
Trae Young: Right shin soreness; Injured since November 5, 2022
NBA All-Star Trae Young has been playing through pain over the last few games. He was poked in the eye by the New York Knicks' Julius Randle but eventually returned with protective wear. The following game, he injured his shin against the New Orleans Pelicans, but still returned to play.
The Atlanta Hawks finally decided to keep Young out against two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Impressively enough, the Hawks still managed to beat the previously unbeaten Bucks without “Ice Trae.”
Atlanta has listed him as questionable yet again, but could still play after spending a few days off resting his sore shin.
Guess the Lakers players!
