Anthony Black and Jonathan Isaac are now listed day-to-day, and both are projected to return October 23, when Minnesota visits. Orlando needs them after a 132-125 opening loss to the Hawks in which the bench managed 22 points.
Black and Isaac are close, and that reshapes the second unit.
Both came off the Out list. Black had been sidelined by his right ankle and Isaac by his left knee, and both now carry a projected return of October 23. Black averaged 15.0 points in 29.8 minutes last season, so he is a real part of the guard rotation. Izaiyah Nelson's left ankle and Noah Penda's right hamstring keep those two out until a projected November 18.
Banchero carried the opener, but too many possessions went the other way.
Banchero scored 35 on 10-of-12 shooting with 10 assists. He also had 6 turnovers in 41 minutes. The Orlando Sentinel counted 24 Atlanta points off 20 Orlando turnovers and 60 Hawks points in the paint, and Sean Sweeney told the paper his defense can do much better. Banchero is in his fourth year as the focal point, and his next step is keeping that efficiency while cutting the giveaways.
Minnesota arrives unbeaten but without one of its guards.
The Timberwolves are 1-0 and will be without Donte DiVincenzo, who is ruled out with a right Achilles injury. Anthony Edwards averaged 28.8 points last season, and Chris Finch's team finished 49-33 with a 3.1 net rating, against Orlando's 0.6. After Thursday, the Magic play at New York on October 25, then twice in Toronto.
Black's return forces a real choice at guard.
Jalen Suggs shot 2-of-8 and finished -13 in 32 minutes, the lowest plus-minus of any Magic player. Jase Richardson was +5 in 14 minutes and Goga Bitadze +9 in 12. If Black plays Thursday, Sweeney has to decide whose minutes shrink, and Suggs's shooting over the next week will help answer that.
Will Anthony Black play against the Timberwolves?
Black is listed day-to-day with a right ankle injury and is projected to return October 23, the date of the Minnesota game. Jonathan Isaac has the same status and date with a left knee injury.
When will Noah Penda return for the Magic?
Penda is sidelined by a right hamstring injury that was reported as a partial tear. His projected return is November 18.
