DETROIT — Paolo Banchero struggled to put a positive spin on the Orlando Magic’s season after their 116-94 loss to the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 on Sunday. When asked if the team has enough talent to contend for an NBA title, the young star was blunt in his assessment.
“I want to say yes, but this is the third straight time we haven’t gotten out of the first round,” Banchero said. “So, if you are going off the last three years, the answer is no. The nice answer is yes, but honestly speaking, I can’t say we’re good enough to be in the Finals or the Eastern Conference finals because the last three years, we’ve had the same result.”
Banchero had strong reason for his honest reflection. The Magic built a 3-1 series lead, with him averaging 20 points and Franz Wagner adding 17.8 per game in the first four contests. But Wagner’s right calf injury sidelined him for the final three games, forcing Banchero to carry a heavier load. He stepped up with 33.3 points per game in those outings, including 38 in Game 7, but received limited support from his teammates.
In Game 7, Banchero scored 32 points through three quarters on efficient shooting, yet the rest of the Magic managed just 32 more points while shooting 27 percent from the field. The team’s offense completely stalled in critical stretches, including a playoff-record shooting slump in Game 6 and another poor third quarter on Sunday.
Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley acknowledged the offensive struggles but focused on the positives for now. “There’s time to reflect on this and start thinking about changes we might be able to make,” he said. “Today is about the gratitude for these guys and how they gave us a chance to play in a Game 7. They fought and battled the whole way.”
On the other side, the Pistons got balanced contributions, with Tobias Harris delivering 30 points and Jalen Duren adding a double-double to support Cade Cunningham. As Detroit advances, the Magic head into another offseason wondering what adjustments are needed to break through in the playoffs.