Paolo Banchero missed 34 games, then came back and scored 34 points. The Orlando forward — back in the lineup for the first time in almost 2 1/2 months while recovering from a torn oblique muscle — gave his team a chance on Friday night,

A torn right ab muscle has kept the forward out since Oct. 30, but the Magic have withstood the loss and are in good position to make a run.

When asked after practice Wednesday whether or not it would be a challenge to re-integrate All-Star forward Paolo ... Banchero played before he tore his right abdominal muscle Oct. 30 at Chicago.

Paolo Banchero, back in Orlando's lineup for the first time in almost 2½ months while recovering from a torn oblique muscle, gave his team a chance on Friday night, but the Magic fell to the Bucks 109-106.

The Orlando Magic could see Paolo Banchero return against the Minnesota Timberwolves as his status is upgraded to questionable.

Orlando Magic star forward Paolo Banchero is expected to return to action in one of Orlando's back-to-back home games Thursday against

Orlando Magic star forward Paolo Banchero is expected to be available for Friday's home game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The All-Star

Magic star Paolo Banchero is set to make his return from an oblique injury at the end of the week against either the Timberwolves or Bucks.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has missed 33 games with a torn right oblique, and has missed the last several games due to reconditioning.

Injured Orlando Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero is expected to return to the court this week, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.

Orlando Magic forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner again placed in the top 10 of All-Star fan voting returns on Thursday, but their standing changed.

Paolo Banchero missed 34 games ... He said the long recovery time following his Oct. 30 injury in a game against Chicago tested his patience, but he looked back to normal on Friday.