Paolo Banchero made his NBA return after months of injury in a game against Giannis Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Bucks. Postgame, Giannis had surprising and encouraging words, praising Banchero’s resilience and potential as he rejoined the league’s action.

Following a 34-game absence due to a torn right abdominal muscle, Paolo Banchero returned to the Kia Center court Friday against the Bucks.

Having Banchero back in the mix gives the Magic offense a whole new set of weapons. And if he’s able to return to the form he evidenced in the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign, then he should be able to keep the Magic as one of the best teams in the East as the regular season rapidly approaches its mid-point.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 41 points and 14 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks beat Orlando 109-106 in spite of 34 points by the Magic’s Paolo Banchero in his long-awaited return from an injury

Paolo Banchero missed 34 games, then came back and scored 34 points. The Orlando forward — back in the lineup for the first time in almost 2 1/2 months while recovering from a torn oblique muscle — gave his team a chance on Friday night,

Paolo Banchero is not a patient person. The Orlando Magic forward acknowledges that he's been frustrated for much of the last 2 1/2 months while recovering from a torn oblique muscle, one that kept him out of the lineup for 34 games.

Paolo Banchero, back in Orlando's lineup for the first time in almost 2½ months while recovering from a torn oblique muscle, gave his team a chance on Friday night, but the Magic fell to the Bucks 109-106.