National basketball player Franz Wagner was only on the field for eleven minutes during his team’s next victory in the NBA, leaving the big stage to a teammate. Paolo Banchero took control of the game against the Indiana Pacers and excelled at 119:115 with 50 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists. At the age of 21 years and 351 days, he is the youngest NBA professional since LeBron James to score at least 50 points and ten rebounds. Wagner had already entered the game feeling ill due to an unspecified illness and had to leave the field earlier than usual.
With a pass to his brother Moritz Wagner, Banchero ensured that the Magic found their way back into the game after they had given up a 13-point lead and were already down by 8 points in the final quarter. Moritz Wagner ended up with 14 points, four rebounds and one assist.
50 points for Paolo Banchero impressed the home fans | © Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP/dpa
“Man, I’m tired. I’m so tired. But what a game,” said Banchero afterwards. “The first half was magical,” he commented on the 37 points from the first half.
