Two days after suffering a left groin strain in a win over the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic All-Star forward Paolo Banchero spoke during Friday’s shootaround about how the injury occurred and his expectation on returning to the floor. 

“Yeah, just second quarter. I felt a pull in my groin there and felt it,” Banchero said. “Went up and down a couple more times, asked to come out.” 

Banchero suffered the injury after logging 12 minutes, four points, a steal and a black before exiting in a matchup he was looking forward to that doubled as his 23rd birthday. The Magic will be without Banchero when they face the Brooklyn Nets in their second NBA Cup game on Friday. Currently, Banchero does not have a hard return date in mind. 

“We'll see. I mean, it doesn't feel too crazy. It's just going to take it one day at a time. I really don't know. I couldn't give you an exact time, but hopefully not too long.” 

“It's not anything major. I'm able to walk and do everything regular.” 

Knowing how much season is still ahead, Banchero does not want to rush the process and risk his health further. However, he also wants to maintain a sense of urgency. 

“It's a marathon, not a sprint. Long season and you don't want to, like you said, come back too early, have it linger around, bother you the rest of the season.”  

“So, just going to take my time, listen to my body, but also, you know, just make sure attack the rehab process with a lot of urgency, because I do want to get back out there as soon as possible.” 

Banchero revealed that leading up to the MRI he received to confirm the injury; he was nervous about the outcome. 

“I was a little nervous leading up to the MRI, just because you never know till you know. And so when you got the news that it was, you know, relatively minor, it's definitely, you know, best possible news. And so I was happy about that.” 

Banchero wants to remain active in his involvement with the team, so when he makes his return, it is a seamless transition. 

“You know, still doing the regular stuff, still traveling, you know, just doing all the things so that when I come back, it's seamless and I don't have an adjustment period.” 

Through 12 games, Banchero is averaging 21.7 points and 8.7 rebounds.