Paolo Banchero had the best night of his NBA career on Monday.
Banchero tied the Orlando Magic record for points in a half, scoring 37 times in the first two quarters against the Indiana Pacers. He finished with a career-high 50 points, tying the fifth-best performance in Magic history.
Orlando won the game 119-115.
“Man, I’m tired. I’m tired as hell, Banchero said after the NBA’s first 50-point effort this season. But it was a hell of a match. »
Banchero, rookie of the year two years ago and all-star last year, also had 13 rebounds and nine assists.
The other authors of 50-point games in Magic history are Tracy McGrady, who scored 62 against Washington on March 10, 2004; Shaquille O’Neal had 53 against Minnesota on April 20, 1994; McGrady had 52 against Chicago on February 21, 2003; McGrady also had 51 against Denver on November 14, 2003; Nick Anderson produced 50 against New Jersey on April 23, 1993; and McGrady, again, had 50 against Washington on March 8, 2002.
The 37 halftime points matched the mark McGrady set, also in the first half, for Orlando against Washington in the game where he finished with 62.
“This first half was magical, that’s for sure,” added Banchero.
Banchero’s career high before the game was 43, a mark achieved on January 3 against Sacramento.
There were also four performances of 37 points or more in the first half last season – two from Phoenix’s Devin Booker, one from Karl-Anthony Towns (then of Minnesota, now of New York) and one from Luka Doncic of Dallas.
In the Pacers’ defeat, Pascal Siakam was the most productive with 26 points while Montreal’s Benedict Mathurin had five.
Elsewhere in the NBA:
Washington 121 – Atlanta 119
WAS : Jordan Poole scored 26 points while Kyle Kuzma grabbed eleven rebounds.
ATL : Jalen Johnson scored twice with 29 points and 12 rebounds. Trae Young totaled 13 assists.
Milwaukee 108 – Boston 119
MIL : Damian Lillard was the most productive of the match with 33 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo grabbed ten rebounds.
BOS : Jaylen Brown had 30 points and eight rebounds.
Detroit 98 – Miami 106
THAT: Cade Cunningham scored 24 points while Isaiah Stewart grabbed 15 rebounds.
MIA : Jimmy Butler had 23 points and seven rebounds. For his part, Bam Adebayo grabbed ten rebounds.
Cleveland 110 – New York 104
CLE : Darius Garland was the best scorer of the match with 34 points. Jarrett Allen grabbed 15 rebounds.
NY: Jalen Brunson had 21 points and Josh Hart grabbed 13 rebounds.
Chicago 123 – Memphis 123
CHI : Zach LaVine totaled 30 points. For his part, Josh Giddey grabbed 13 rebounds and had eight assists.
MEM : Desmond Bane scored 30 points, Desmond Bane grabbed 13 rebounds and Scotty Pippen Jr. had ten assists.
Houston 106 – San Antonio 101
NEW: Jalen Green had 36 points while Alperen Sengun grabbed 12 rebounds.
AT : Jeremy Sochan totaled 22 points while Victor Wembanyama grabbed 20 rebounds.
Utah 102 – Dallas 110
UTA : In the Jazz’s loss, Walker Kessler had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
DAL : Kyrie Irving was the best of his team with 23 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds.
LA Lakers 105 – Phoenix 109
LAL : Anthony Davis had 29 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks.
PHO : Kevin Durant responded with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks for the Suns.
Portland 98 – Sacramento 111
BY : Deandre Ayton provided 20 points and 11 rebounds.
SAC : Domantas Sabonis had 16 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists.
