Paolo Banchero’s fingerprints were all over the Orlando Magic’s gritty showdown against the Phoenix Suns on February 22, 2026. With the Magic trailing by six in the final three minutes, Banchero stepped up and became the focal point of the Magic’s late-game surge, refusing to let the contest slip away quietly. Though he made just one field goal in that comeback stretch, it was a crucial one—an aggressive drive from near mid-court, powering through defenders and forcing the ball into the basket. That shot cut the deficit to four and reignited Orlando’s hopes when the game seemed to be slipping away.
It wasn’t just scoring where Banchero made his mark. He contributed a key block and an assist that helped force overtime, showing the kind of two-way presence that the Magic have been waiting to see consistently. In the extra period, Banchero’s determination didn’t waver. He scored on a crafty step-through move to give Orlando a five-point lead and later spun off his defender in the post to knot the game late in the first overtime. The Magic may not have sealed the win, but Banchero’s late-game heroics were impossible to ignore.
What changed for Banchero against Phoenix? The Magic made a conscious effort to get him the ball deep in the post and near the rim, leveraging his physicality and touch around the basket. For a player often criticized for settling for jumpers, Banchero’s willingness to attack the hoop was a welcome sight for Magic fans and coaches alike. This season, he’s taken more shots in the paint and at the rim than ever before, a shift in style that’s been both a blessing and a challenge.
Banchero’s struggles with mid-range shooting are well-documented. He’s hitting just 34.2 percent on 2.7 mid-range attempts per game this season, down from 41.7 percent on 4.7 attempts last year. But rather than continue firing away from the mid-range, he’s focused his efforts closer to the basket. In the restricted area, Banchero is shooting 65.7 percent on 5.2 attempts per game—just a hair below last year’s 66.1 percent on 5.3 attempts. During his 2024 All-Star campaign, he connected on 64.2 percent of 5.2 restricted area attempts. The numbers are strikingly consistent, underscoring his ability to get to the rim and convert when he gets there.
However, it’s the rest of the paint where Banchero’s efficiency starts to waver. This season, he’s shooting 39.1 percent on 4.3 field goal attempts per game in the paint outside the restricted area. Last year, that number was 41.3 percent on 3.9 attempts. In 2024, it was 39.1 percent on 3.8 attempts. While these aren’t dramatic shifts, they’re enough to impact his overall efficiency—especially in close games where every bucket matters. Against the Suns, Banchero was a perfect three-for-three at the rim, but he struggled elsewhere in the paint, making just 8 of 18 attempts.
It’s a story of small margins. Banchero is doing the right things by attacking the basket more and settling for jumpers less, but his finishing in the paint has taken a slight step back. For all the talk about inefficiency, the numbers tell a more nuanced tale. Banchero is averaging 21.6 points per game and shooting 45.2 percent from the floor this season—the same field goal percentage as last year. He’s also shooting 31.6 percent from three, albeit on a career-low 3.8 attempts per game. Perhaps most notably, he’s getting to the free throw line for 7.8 attempts per game, a testament to his aggressive drives.
Still, Banchero’s true shooting percentage—now at a career-best 55.7 percent—remains among the lowest for players with a 25 percent usage rate and at least 25 minutes per game. It’s an improvement, but not quite the leap some hoped for. Since January 1, however, there are signs that Banchero is turning a corner. He’s averaged 23.1 points per game with shooting splits of 46.2 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three, and 78.3 percent from the line. His true shooting percentage over that span has climbed to 57.2 percent, which, while still the 15th-worst among high-usage players, is better than notable names like Cade Cunningham, Pascal Siakam, and Jaylen Brown.
He’s also become even more effective at the rim since the start of the year, converting 61.6 percent of his 6.0 restricted area attempts per game. Yet, his struggles with short jumpers persist—he’s shooting just 36.8 percent on 4.1 attempts per game in the paint outside the restricted area during that stretch. The difference between a good and great night for Banchero often comes down to whether those short attempts fall.
There’s a sense that Banchero is close to a breakthrough. His play against the Suns showcased his ability to take over late, but also highlighted the fine line between heroics and heartbreak. He missed a layup for the lead with 12.5 seconds left in regulation and another go-ahead baseline jumper with 24 seconds remaining in overtime. The Magic put the ball in his hands when it mattered most—now, it’s about finishing those plays.
For all the scrutiny about his jump-shooting, Banchero’s attacking mentality is exactly what Orlando needs. According to Second Spectrum data, he leads the team with 12.8 drives per game, shooting 43.8 percent and notching 0.8 assists per contest. Last year, he shot 49.8 percent on 11.9 drives per game, and in 2024, 43.7 percent on 12.7 drives. The aggression is there, even if the efficiency isn’t always perfect.
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley has repeatedly emphasized the importance of Banchero’s assertiveness. “We want Paolo to keep attacking, to keep putting pressure on the defense,” Mosley said after the game. “When he’s getting to the rim, good things happen for us.”
Banchero’s teammates have also taken notice. “He draws so much attention when he’s in the paint,” said Franz Wagner. “It opens things up for the rest of us. We just have to keep trusting him and moving the ball.”
So, what’s next for Banchero and the Magic? The numbers show incremental improvement, and the eye test suggests a player on the verge of putting it all together. If he can convert a few more of those short jumpers and continue to embrace his role as the team’s late-game option, Orlando’s offense could reach another level.
For now, the Magic and their fans will keep watching as Banchero battles through growing pains, flashes of brilliance, and the relentless grind of an NBA season. His performance against the Suns was a microcosm of his year—full of promise, frustration, and the unmistakable sense that bigger things are just around the corner.