Paolo Banchero makes feelings clear about return to Magic lineup after month-long absence

After starting the 2024-25 NBA season off strong, Paolo Banchero was sidelined with a torn oblique on Oct. 30. While the injury is considered a pretty rare in the NBA compared to other sports, Banchero is already working on getting himself back into playing shape.

While speaking with media members on Friday prior to Orlando's clash with the New York Knicks, Paolo Banchero gave fans an optimistic update, saying that he's been ramping up in anticipation of returning to action.

Although he didn't give an exact date for his return, and he hasn't started participating in full practices yet, it sounds as though Banchero's return could come sooner rather than later. He said:

"Just been doing a lot of rehab and a lot of ramping up, trying to get my body back to playing shape. Obviously, I had to sit 30-plus days without really doing much. So, I just had to kind of get my body back in that mode and I'm still in the process of that.

"It's a big step, I would say. It's been really fun just challenging myself, then also getting that feeling back, feeling my skills again and getting up and down. It feels good to be back. ... I'm just looking forward to these next, you know, week, two weeks of just doing the same thing, ramping up and seeing where I'm at."

Currently, the Magic are sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference despite the absences of both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who both went down with oblique injuries amid a hot start to the season for the Orlando franchise.

"It's very encouraging" - Magic coach Jamahl Mosley weighs in on Paolo Banchero's recovery

While the absences of both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner marked major blows to the Magic's roster, the team has continued to fight to maintain its standing in the Eastern Conference.

Despite that, over the past five games, the team has posted a 2-3 record, while over the last 10, it has gone just 4-6. Prior to Friday's 108-85 loss to the New York Knicks, coach Jamahl Mosley spoke about the progress Banchero has been making in his recovery:

"It's very encouraging to see the way in which he's working, to see his conditioning start to slowly ramp up. You see the guys out there supporting him as they're watching him go through his workouts. It's good for the eyes, I can tell you that right now."

Considering the team has continued to improve year-over-year, finishing last season in fifth place in the East before a first-round playoff exit, the hope is that with Banchero and Wagner back in action, Mosley's team can improve on last year's result.

Whether or not that winds up being the case, only time will tell.