Banchero ankle injury leaves Magic facing early-season test

Paolo Banchero is reportedly expected to miss four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain sustained in the Orlando Magic’s loss to the Timberwolves on Friday. The setback comes just two games into the 2026-27 NBA season, with Orlando already 0-2.

His absence interrupts another chance to assess Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs together. Injuries have repeatedly kept the trio apart, and Orlando now faces an extended spell without Banchero at the start of its campaign.

Familiar injury setback

Banchero, Wagner and Suggs have played only 25 games together across the past two seasons. Wagner and Suggs missed a combined 73 games through injury last season, while Banchero and Wagner shared the court for just 40 games the season before.

In that earlier season, Banchero tore his oblique in the first week and missed 34 games. As he prepared to return, Wagner tore his oblique and was sidelined for the next six weeks.

Orlando also felt the impact of Wagner’s absence in last season’s playoffs. The Magic led the No. 1-seed Pistons 3-1 in their first-round series, but Wagner missed the final three games with a calf strain and Detroit rallied to win.

Strong start cut short

Banchero had opened this season with 35 points and scored another 14 in the first half on Friday before his injury. Across those early appearances, he was shooting almost 70% from the field and made three of four 3-point attempts against Atlanta.

The Magic have had limited opportunity to see whether Banchero and Wagner can establish a consistent partnership over a longer stretch. Their shooting inconsistencies remain a question, even as both offer Orlando the ability to handle the ball and initiate offence at 6-foot-10.

The team had raised expectations after pushing the Cavaliers to seven games in the 2024 playoffs. Orlando later went all in on a trade for Desmond Bane, but injuries have continued to disrupt its plans.

What comes next for Orlando

A reported four-to-six-week absence leaves the Magic trying to steady their season without Banchero. Their 0-2 start adds pressure as they seek to stay in contention for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

It also delays another extended look at the Banchero-Wagner partnership. For now, Orlando’s immediate task is to navigate the coming weeks and avoid further injury setbacks before Banchero returns.