Giannis Antetokounmpo gets honest about Paolo Banchero as Magic star returns from brutal injury

Giannis Antetokounmpo, following the Bucks' victory over Orlando on Friday, gave high praise to Magic star Paolo Banchero. Despite Banchero's return after a 34-game absence, Antetokounmpo’s Bucks triumphed 109-106.

After his dominant 41-point, 14-rebound performance, Antetokounmpo lauded Banchero, highlighting his all-around game and the qualities that make him stand out.

“He's a great player, obviously plays in a very, very high level. A guy that can operate from all three levels, big, can defend. He does the little things that his team needs to win games. I'm happy that he's back healthy,” Antetokounmpo said.

Banchero had been sidelined due to a torn right oblique but showed little rust in his return, finishing with 34 points on a solid 11-for-21 shooting.

Aside from Banchero, Franz Wagner was sidelined with the same injury, Moe Wagner tore his ACL and Jalen Suggs is also out with a lower back strain.

Once fully healthy, Giannis Antetokounmpo warned that the Magic could be a formidable playoff contender, even posing a challenge to his own Bucks.

“Obviously, Orlando is a very, very dangerous team. Young team, very, very big team. He can give a lot of teams problems, not just the Milwaukee Bucks. I don't know, the New York Knicks, so he can give a lot of teams problems,” he said.

“So if we have a chance to meet in the playoffs, you've got to definitely be very, very locked in and you better come ready.”

Bucks vs Magic: Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 41, Paolo Banchero pours in 34 in return

In the game, Giannis Antetokounmpo outperformed Paolo Banchero, scoring 41 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and contributing four assists, three steals and two blocks on 19-for-29 shooting.

However, it wasn’t one-sided. Banchero, in his return from a 34-game absence, nearly led the Orlando Magic to a gritty win over the Bucks.

The Bucks were down 81-78 going into the fourth but surged ahead with Giannis Antetokounmpo's early explosion. Banchero responded with 15 points, almost carrying his team to the finish line.

The Magic ultimately fell 109-106 but made it close in the final moments. Banchero scored 15 points in the fourth, but his potential game-tying 3-pointer missed at the buzzer.

After the game, Bucks coach Doc Rivers praised Paolo Banchero's performance:

“He was great. Good to be young. You miss that many games and you come out with 34 points, seven rebounds and I bet he missed five shots he would love to have over again. That was unbelievable by him.”

Next up, Paolo Banchero's Magic face a tough stretch with games against Eastern Conference rivals, including the Philadelphia 76ers, a rematch with the Bucks and the defending champion Boston Celtics.