Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

The top 10 games of the Orlando Magic’s 2023 season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Paolo Banchero has turned in a stellar rookie year. But the Orlando Magic need him to break through a rookie wall to make a postseason push. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Paolo Banchero has turned in a stellar rookie year. But the Orlando Magic need him to break through a rookie wall to make a postseason push. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 27: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 27, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 27: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 27, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Top 10 games of the Orlando Magic’s 2023 season

3. The Best of Paolo — at Detroit Pistons (Oct. 19) & at New Orleans Pelicans (Feb. 27)

113. 64. Final. 109. 38

38. 93. 69. Final. 101

The Orlando Magic’s season was still about Paolo Banchero.

As nice as everything else was, this season was about exploring Banchero’s game and figuring out what the best way to build around him. The season’s story was about Banchero’s growth and how he expanded and explored his game.

His maturity throughout the season was a vital story in the season — just listen to his story from The Woj Pod when he told Jamahl Mosley to play through him late in the win over the Washington Wizards, this was a small but crucial moment in his development.

So we take this slide and this moment to appreciate how Banchero grew from the beginning of the season to the end of it.

He started his season with a huge statement game, scoring 27 points in the opener against the Detroit Pistons. That included a monster jam over Cory Joseph.

Yes, this is the only loss we are discussing during this post recapping the greatest games of the season (we promised we were done celebrating losses). But this was a game that showed that Banchero belonged.

He showed us on night one that he was not going to be the typical rookie.

So by the time we got to February, we were seeing Banchero really start to put things together. And no game did he really put that on display then the win at the New Orleans Pelicans.

In a tight game, Banchero stood out with his ability to close the game, an area he often struggled with as the Magic force fed him the ball late in games. Here, he made the plays.

Banchero hit three consecutive tough jumpers to help the Magic expand their lead and hold off the Pelicans late for a big win. This was a poised and controlled performance from a rookie playing like a veteran. His 29 points and eight rebounds were just simply incredible.

This was the pinnacle of what the Magic believe Banchero can be.