Orlando is 0-2 and travels to New York on Sunday with Paolo Banchero's right ankle still being evaluated. The Magic need their shooting to return and their guards to protect the ball against a Knicks team that won 53 games last season.
Banchero's ankle decides how Sunday looks.
Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reported that Banchero left Friday's loss with a sore right ankle and was doubtful to return. Banchero told Beede he feels "pretty confident" it is "nothing too major." Sean Sweeney said only that he will keep being evaluated. Banchero is listed with a Sunday return date, as are Anthony Black and Jonathan Isaac. Philip Rossman-Reich of Orlando Magic Daily wrote that Banchero tweaked the ankle in a rebound collision with Jalen Suggs. He had 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting before he left.
The Knicks are a real measuring stick for a team that is 0-2.
Orlando plays at New York on Sunday, October 25, and the Knicks are also 0-2. They went 53-29 last season with a net rating of 6.4. Orlando's was 0.6. Jalen Brunson averaged 26.0 points and Karl-Anthony Towns 20.1 with 11.9 rebounds. The Magic then play at Toronto on October 28 and October 30, so this game opens a three-game road stretch.
Desmond Bane has to turn good looks into makes.
Bane went 2-of-11 on Friday and 1-of-9 from three, and he fouled out, according to Rossman-Reich. Rossman-Reich also counted Orlando at 5-of-25 from deep and called many of the looks open ones. That is the job a $39.4M contract buys: the shots are there, so the next step is converting them. Without that, the offense has little spacing to help a hurt Banchero.
Franz Wagner has to clean up his turnovers.
Wagner scored 18 on 7-of-14 shooting but turned it over six times and finished at -18 in 33 minutes. Minnesota built a 26-point lead and ran off four separate streaks of eight points or more. The pressure that broke Orlando's rhythm will not ease against a Knicks defense. A forward who creates this much has to take better care of the ball.
Will Paolo Banchero play against the Knicks on Sunday?
He is listed with a Sunday return date, and Sean Sweeney said he will continue to be evaluated. Banchero said he feels "pretty confident" the sore right ankle is "nothing too major."
When do the Magic play next?
Orlando plays at the Knicks on October 25, then at the Raptors on October 28 and October 30. The Celtics visit on November 1.
