After the Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons, 112-101 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series, Paolo Banchero had a clear message for the group.

“Don’t start drinking the Kool-Aid,” he told the locker room.

It was a message imbued with leadership to make sure the Magic would not get complacent. After Tuesday’s practice in preparation for Wednesday’s Game 2, Banchero provided additional context for what he wanted to convey.

“Just that, you know, we can't overreact to one win,” Banchero told the media. “You know, game one, you know, it's a long series, and as we all know how the media is, you know, they'll jump back on board. 

“And so just reminding guys, like, don't buy into that,” he added. “You know, stay locked in on the mission and don't overreact to one game. You know, we got to come out and do it again.”

While Banchero provided leadership and led by example with his play by scoring a team-high 23 points in Sunday’s win, he made it clear that it is not just him taking on that responsibility.

“I mean, yeah, it's really a team-wide thing,” Banchero said. “You know, I think it starts with the starting five. You know, when it's any of us out there, it's our responsibility to be vocal and, you know, help the team when the bench subs in. And, you know, whether we're in huddles in the timeouts or dead balls on the court, just coming back together and communicating. 

“That's what keeps everything flowing. And it allows you to be able to stop the bleeding or, you know, fix whatever's not going right in the moment. And so, like I said, just got to continue to do that here on the road.”

The Magic saw Cade Cunningham score 39 points in Game 1, but they were able to keep the efforts of his teammates at bay, which Banchero knows they will need to do again and again.

“Yeah, I thought we were on a string,” he said. “You know, I thought we were on a string just communicating, talking out coverages. And, yeah, you know, I think it's just going to continue to take that, being aggressive, being the aggressors on defense and, you know, just not trying to give them much. 

“Obviously, they're going to make shots,” he added. “But, you know, just not trying to give them any free looks.”

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