Paolo Banchero delivers powerful take on Magic’s frustrating regular season

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has heard every form of criticism this season after they stumbled to a mediocre record and had to squeeze through the Play-In Tournament to qualify for the playoffs.

The optimism was high for the Magic heading into Banchero’s fourth year, with many even predicting his first nod to the All-Star Game. The team also added an offensive weapon in Desmond Bane, while Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs were expected to produce better numbers.

It was, however, anything but smooth sailing for Orlando. Banchero struggled with consistency, while also feuding with coach Jamahl Mosley, and Wagner and Suggs were hobbled by various injuries.

But after beating the Charlotte Hornets for the last spot in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference and shocking the Detroit Pistons, 112-10, in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday, Banchero stressed that they cannot dwell on the past if they want to move forward.

“There’s nothing you can do to go back and change what happened. At the end of the day, we’re here in the playoffs, and we have a chance to go and do what we’ve set out to do since October. You can’t get too caught up in what happened in the regular season and the frustrations,” said Banchero, as quoted by Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Beede.

“We’re fully healthy right now, and we feel like we’re clicking as a group. We found something against Charlotte with our defense, our energy, and our communication. We know that if we can replicate that, we give ourselves a chance every night, no matter who we’re playing. It’s definitely a new season and a new energy.”

“There’s nothing you can do to go back and change what happened,” #Magic forward Paolo Banchero said about Orlando’s regular season. “At the end of the day, we’re here in the playoffs … You’ve got to just come together … It’s definitely a new season and a new energy.”

More: pic.twitter.com/85uu4gi8am

— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) April 20, 2026

Banchero finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in Game 1, while Franz Wagner collected 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Jalen Suggs, who addressed his knee injury after the game, added 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins recently said he is “sick and tired” of Banchero for his “excuses.” It is up to the talented forward to keep on silencing the naysayers.

The post Paolo Banchero delivers powerful take on Magic’s frustrating regular season appeared first on ClutchPoints.