The Orlando Magic’s season is on life support after falling to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, 109-97 in the No.7/No.8 NBA Play-In Tournament game. After an ugly evening, Paolo Banchero spoke with the media.

“Yeah, I think we just made some crucial mistakes that they capitalized on,” Banchero said. “And I think we had some opportunities to make some big plays and take the lead. And we just came up short.”

After a strong first quarter in which he scored eight points while shooting 3-5 from the field, Banchero struggled the rest of the way. By the end of the game, Banchero had gone 7-22 from the field, 0-5 from 3-point range and committed six turnovers. In Sunday’s critical loss to the Boston Celtics that compelled the Magic to the eighth seed, Banchero produced identical statistics in those three categories.

In the fourth quarter, Banchero went 1-5 for three points.

“Yeah, I thought we had good looks throughout the game,” Banchero said. “Obviously, we didn't shoot well. I didn't shoot well. So that's tough. But yeah, I didn't think it was terrible. I thought Dez had it going.”

Desmond Bane was the only consistent source of offense for his team, as he scored a game-high 34 points on 10-16 shooting from the field while hitting 10 of his 11 free throw attempts.

“And it's on me,” Banchero added. “It's on other guys to be able to perform at a level to where we can get that win. Because he brought it. And including myself, just not making shots and coming up short today.”

Banchero continued to take accountability for his performance by focusing on his level of indecision.

“Yeah, I think just continue to try to make quick decisions,” he said. “Don't hesitate. I think I had some looks in the start of the second half that I didn't shoot. And when you do that, I think the basketball gods aren't going to reward you.

“Because then, I had another couple of shots that felt good that didn't go in,” Banchero added. “And so, just a frustrating night for sure for me. And coming in Friday, you got to come in with a clear mind and go do what you got to do to win the game.”

With one chance remaining to book a ticket to the playoffs, the Magic must host, and defeat, the Charlotte Hornets, who are coming off an electrifying overtime win against the Miami Heat on Tuesday to advance in the play-in. 

The Magic have not had much success against Charlotte this year. After winning the first matchup of the regular season, Orlando proceeded to lose the next three games; all by double digits.

“Yeah, they've been playing really well,” Banchero said. “They've kicked our [expletive] this year. So we got to be ready. I got to be ready. And we have to be locked in from the jump. I thought we played hard tonight, but it wasn't enough. 

“And so it's going to take even more of an effort. And it's going to take me playing better as well for us to get the win. So it's definitely a big game on Friday.”

Banchero also talked about what he hoped to see from the Magic faithful inside the Kia Center on Friday.

“Yeah, just going to need them to be loud,” he said. “[We] play off environment, and be there so we're able to feed off that momentum. And yeah, I hope they're ready to show up. But it's going to be a good game on Friday. And we need to get the win.”

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