Paolo Banchero Breaks Record
Tracy McGrady was, until yesterday, the player with the most points scored in a half for the Orlando Magic. However, Paolo Banchero matched this record with an impressive performance on Monday night, shooting 13 of 17 in the first half. He also reached a career-high of 50 points by the end of the game.
Named the 2023 Rookie of the Year and a 2024 All-Star, Banchero demonstrated his skills by shooting 16 of 26 overall in the game against the Pacers. The 21-year-old forward, who was selected first overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, also hit 15 of 22 from the free-throw line, grabbed 13 rebounds, and recorded 9 assists along with 2 blocks.
Other 50-point games in Magic history include:
• Tracy McGrady scoring 62 points against Washington on March 10, 2004.
• Shaquille O’Neal scoring 53 points against Minnesota on April 20, 1994.
• McGrady scoring 52 points against Chicago on February 21, 2003.
• McGrady scoring 51 points against Denver on November 14, 2003.
• Nick Anderson with 50 points against New Jersey on April 23, 1993.
• McGrady reaching 50 points again against Washington on March 8, 2002.
Banchero’s 37 points in the first half of the Pacers game matched McGrady’s first-half performance of 62 points against Washington. Before this game, Banchero’s highest career score was 43 points, which he achieved on January 3 against Sacramento. Last season, four players in the NBA scored 37 or more points in a half, including Devin Booker from Phoenix, Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota, and Luka Doncic from Dallas.
