NBA

Magic's Banchero was 'in the zone' on record-breaking night

By Sports Desk October 29, 2024 389

Paolo Banchero claimed he was "in the zone" as he turned in a record-breaking performance for the Orlando Magic.

Banchero finished with a career-high 50 points on Monday as the Magic beat the Indiana Pacers 119-115.

In the process, he matched the fifth-highest scoring effort in a single game in the Magic's history.

Indeed, at 21 years and 351 days old, Banchero is the youngest player to record a 50-point game for Orlando, and the second-youngest player with 50 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in an NBA game. Only LeBron James (20 years, 80 days) in 2005 against the Toronto Raptors did so at a younger age.

And with 37 of those points coming in the first two quarters, Banchero also matched the team record for points in a half.

"Man, I'm tired; I'm tired as hell," said Banchero, who contributed nine assists and 13 rebounds, too. "But it was a hell of a game.

"It was just being in the zone.

"[It] felt like I was in an open gym, back at home, just working on my game. Every shot felt like it was going in and it's a good feeling when you've got a day like that.

"Not every game is going to be like that, but I'm glad today was."

Such was Banchero's dominance, his first-half tally matched the combined efforts of all the Pacers' starters across the opening two quarters.

"That first half was a magical first half, for sure," he said.

Tracy McGrady was the last Magic player to have a 50-point game, when he recorded a franchise-leading 62 points against the Washington Wizards in March 2004.

Last modified on Tuesday, 29 October 2024 06:28
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