Banchero discusses Wagner's injury setbacks and the team's focus on a strong postseason push after the All-Star break.
On Franz Wagner's ongoing recovery and what he means to the team:
"Yeah, I mean, he's one of our key pieces of our team and we need him out there, but at the same time we don't want him coming back before he's ready. It's unfortunate that he's kind of came back twice and been out and then had to be out again. Just wanted him to take his time, however long that is, and get all the way healthy, cuz we don't want him out there if he's not feeling like himself. I think that's the biggest thing is just letting him take his time to get healthy."
On how the team attacks the post-All-Star break West Coast trip starting strong:
"Definitely put together some great games here on this road trip. Get some wins and just get ready for this push. Got to win some games, got to put ourselves in good position for the postseason. It's a big stretch right here that we're about to go down."
On what the team focused on in practice heading into the trip:
"Just getting back on our feet off the break, wanting to come out ready to go. Wanting to work on some defensive stuff and then clean up some execution offensively. Just get back out there with the group and get a feel for what we're trying to do heading into this home stretch."
On the importance of bringing energy out of the All-Star break:
"No, it's vital. It's super important. Our energy got to be right, our swag got to be right, and we just got to be ready to come out and ball. So I'm excited."
On commonalities in past strong second-half pushes to the postseason:
"Just playing together, figuring out how we want to play, what type of team we want to beat, and taking it one game at a time with a singular focus. Doing whatever we got to do to win games. I think that's the main point is to just whatever it is, we got to win. Guys got to be ready to step up to the challenge."
On how he spent the All-Star break and if it helped mentally refresh:
"Oh yeah, for sure. Just getting after it, training, conditioning, and then taking the time to relax and enjoy the sun, the beach and stuff like that. Some peace and quiet. It was nice. Definitely took the time to just mentally reset, but at the same time preparing for this back half of the season. It's a huge part of the season right here. Just got to be ready to go."