The Orlando Magic stacked up 121-113 against the Detroit Pistons. And it was Paolo Banchero’s fierce competitiveness that stole the spotlight. The star forward went above and beyond with his scoring and a bit of expletive.
After battling through Isaiah Stewart’s robust defense to score an and-one, Banchero didn’t hold back with his words. As he converted the basket while drawing the foul, he looked Stewart dead in the eye and delivered a pointed jab. What looked like a one-off confrontation was later revealed to be some explicit exchange.
“And-one… Sorry a** n****,” Banchero was heard saying to Steward in a now viral clip.
LEAKED Audio Of Paolo Banchero Trash Talking Isaiah Stewart👀:
— LegendZ (@legendz_nba) January 26, 2025
“And-one… sorry a** n****” pic.twitter.com/zagT7NIJET
However, Banchero’s exceptional performance was instrumental in the Magic’s narrow victory. He contributed 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists to help keep their playoff hopes alive. This game was crucial, as both teams were vying for position in a tightly contested playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. With this win, the Magic improved to a record of 24-23, putting them on equal footing with the Pistons, who fell to 23-22.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Stewart, usually known for his fiery demeanor, took the exchange with Banchero in stride with maturity. Things could have taken a right turn had he reacted in the exact same manner. Although Stewart is still finding his footing this season. He’s a crucial part of the Pistons’ long-term plans.
Also Read: Orlando Magic Star Paolo Banchero Dubs THIS City As ‘The Best Basketball Factory’ In The Country
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Paolo Banchero Thanks Coach Mose After Return From Injury
After returning from oblique injuries, the Magic star Paolo Banchero took a moment to express his gratitude towards head coach Jamahl Mosley. Following their impressive victory over the Pistons, Banchero emphasized how Coach Mosley played a pivotal role. He acknowledged Mosley helped him and Franz Wagner navigate their comebacks with the right mindset.
Banchero mentioned that both he and Wagner typically hold themselves to a very high standard, making it tough to deal with the ups and downs that come from being sidelined. He recalled how Coach Mosley reminded them to show themselves some grace.
“I think you gotta be able to give yourself grace. I think that’s something Coach Mose told me and Franz coming back from injury. Me and Franz, we hold ourselves and each other to a ridiculously high standard. We expect a lot from each other. And so, when we don’t perform well, I think we both take it really hard. And so, give credit to Coach for reminding us that,” Banchero said.
Magic star Paolo Banchero is expected to return to action in one of Orlando’s back-to-back home games Thursday versus Minnesota or Friday versus Milwaukee, sources tell ESPN. Banchero has been out since Oct. 30 due to a torn oblique after a monster start to the season. pic.twitter.com/f1qVhtJo4G
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 8, 2025
As the NBA All-Star mentioned, by reframing their perspective, Mosley helped ease the burden of their own expectations. He encouraged them to focus on gradual progress rather than immediate perfection.
Also Read: Kyle Kuzma Declares Plans To Play His Own Game As He’s Done Trying To “Fit In” On The Wizards
