Magic's Paolo Banchero first since LeBron with 25-5-5 in debut

play

In his NBA debut on Wednesday night, Paolo Banchero had 27 points, nine rebound and five assists, but the Magic lost to the Pistons, 114-109.

Banchero said after the game that it meant a lot. Would have loved to win. It's a blessing that I was able to play hard for the team.

The No. 1 pick in the NBA draft made a huge impact on this contest. He scored four points in the first four minutes of the game and finished the first quarter with seven points. He was even better in the fourth quarter, going 5-for-8 for 13 points, including a one-handed dunk over a Pistons guard.

In his first game for the Magic, Banchero scored the most points by a player in the team's history, beating out former players such as Howard, Hardaway, and O'Neal.

"I think it's crazy," he said. I didn't leave a lot of points on the board.

Thanks to my teammates, I was found. It's great to see the ball get in early and get easy buckets. I attempt to play inside out. If you want to get easy stuff around the basket, expand out and do more things throughout the game.

Before he boarded the flight to Detroit for his first official NBA game, Banchero tried to think about the moment before and not get caught up in the action. The Pistons and Magic had a collection of former top draft picks, including Pistons guards Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.

The first team in NBA history to have three players age 21 or younger score 20 points was the Magic.

Both of us are young. Cunningham said that the Pistons and Magic are both trying to get to the top of the league. It was important for us to set the tone for that game. We are going to see them a lot for a long time.

The most points scored by a No. 1 overall pick was by Allen Iverson in 1996.

Suggs said that he handled himself well. He was able to get to his places. He ran in a different direction. He was strong. He got on the train. When it was there, he made the correct play. Paolo did a great job. We're going to keep riding with him, we're going to grow, and moments like this are important for us. He showed us a lot and we need to be in this to grow.