You could tell right from the opening tip that Monday was going to be one heck of a night. Paolo Banchero became the Magics first player with a 50-point game in two decades and came oh so close to a triple-double to lead the Magic past the visiting Indiana Pacers 119-115.
The 2022-23 Rookie of the Year finished with 50 points and matched Hall of Famers Tracy McGrady’s franchise record for points scored through two quarters, putting up 37 in the first.
While Banchero fell short of McGrady’s Magic-record 62 points in a March 2004 game, the third-year forward joined an elite list that includes McGrady, Shaquille O’Neal and Nick Anderson as Orlando’s only 50-point scorers.
The No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Duke, Banchero also became the second-youngest player in league history to record a 50-point, 10-rebound, five-assist game, behind only all-time leading scorer LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Banchero was on fire shooting 16 of 26 from the field and buried 15 of 22 free throws. He was also a monster on the boards, collecting a game-high 13 rebounds and a team-best nine assists.
“Man, I’m tired,” Banchero said, according to ESPN. “I’m tired as hell, but it was a hell of a game.
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“It was just being in the zone. Felt like I was in an open gym, back at home, just working on my game.
“Every shot felt like it was going in and it’s a good feeling when you’ve got a day like that. Not every game is going to be like that, but I’m glad today was.”
His extraordinary efforts offset a balanced scoring attack from the Pacers, who dropped their third consecutive game.
Pascal Siakam’s 26 points led six Indiana scorers in double-figures. Among them was Tyrese Haliburton, who posted his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 dimes. Haliburton also had nine rebounds.
Haliburton was a driving force, igniting a 39-22 third quarter for the Pacers to turn a 12-point halftime deficit completely around into a five-point advantage, 98-93, entering the fourth.
The Pacers built an eight-point cushion in the final frame before Orlando battled back. The Magic held Indiana to a sparse five points in the final five minutes, thanks to stifling defense, while chipping away at the deficit.
After a quiet third quarter, Banchero erupted like a volcano for nine points in the final 6:56. Jalen Suggs played a big role down the stretch, hitting a free throw after Aaron Nesmith was assessed a technical foul to put Orlando ahead 113-112 with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
After Haliburton, with ice water in his veins, made a game-tying 3-pointer with 52.8 seconds to go, Suggs dished the last of his seven assists to Anthony Black on a triple that gave Orlando the lead for good at 118-115.
Suggs put his finger prints all over the contest, finishing with 25 points, shot 6-for-13 from downtown, had seven assists and grabbed five rebounds. Wendell Carter Jr.’s decisive rebound on a Myles Turner miss gave him a double-double of 11 points and 10 boards.
Moe Wagner added 14 points off the bench for the Magic.
Obi Toppin scored 14 points in a reserve role for the Pacers, while Turner and Andrew Nembhard each added 13 points. Nesmith had 10 before fouling out.
