It didn’t take long for the 2022 NBA Draft’s top overall draft pick to show off his skills in an NBA game.
Paolo Banchero scored 27 points (11-of-18 from the field, 5-of-7 at the line), pulled down nine rebounds, dished out two assists, and blocked two shots in his NBA debut on Wednesday night for the Orlando Magic vs. the Detroit Pistons. It was the 2022-23 season opener for each team.
The remarkable debut even featured a posterizing dunk from Banchero in the fourth quarter.
Detroit’s Cory Joseph was the victim; he tried to take a charge but had his heel on the line of the restricted area under the hoop.
That’s certainly a statement jam and overall performance from the 6’10” Banchero. The 19-year-old power forward starred at Duke for one season before entering the NBA Draft.
Unfortunately for Banchero, his outstanding effort wasn’t enough for a rebuilding Magic squad on this night. Detroit came away with a 113-109 home victory.
The game was a matchup of the last two No. 1 overall draft picks, with Banchero going up against former Oklahoma State star Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall selection by the Pistons in the 2021 NBA Draft. Cunningham had 18 points and a game-high 10 assists to help lead the Pistons to a season-opening victory.
[Photo Credit: Bally Sports Detroit]
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.