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Paolo Banchero Scores 50, Orlando Magic Rally to Beat Indiana Pacers

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Paolo Banchero Scores 50, Orlando Magic Rally to Beat Indiana Pacers


ORLANDO – The first half of Monday night’s Indiana Pacers-Orlando Magic games was the Paolo Banchero show.

The Magic led 71-59, with Banchero doing a lot of everything: 37 points (tying a club record), plus seven rebounds and six assists. The NBA world was abuzz.

Then the Pacers upended the narrative in the third quarter, outscoring the Magic 39-22 and taking a five-point lead. Orlando was on the brink of squandering an all-time performance by its 21-year-old star.

But the Magic rediscovered their defensive identity down the stretch, holding Indiana to three points in the final four minutes, and got big shots from Banchero, Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black to secure their third victory in four starts: Magic 119, Pacers 115.

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“This entire group, it was just grit,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “Guys went down, the next man stepped up. No matter what it was, these guys found a way to step in, step up. That’s why you’re proud of a group that understands the importance of these moments and these possessions.”

“One of our staples is grit,” said Jalen Suggs, whose 25 points and six three-pointers complemented Banchero’s dominance. “It’s what the ‘G’ stands for in Magic.”

But attention must be paid to Banchero’s historic night. At 21 years and 351 days old, he became the 2nd-youngest player (LeBron James, 20 years-80 days in 2005) in NBA history with 50+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a game. And the Magic needed every single point. As a plus, Banchero added 13 rebounds and nine assists. It’s plausible to think that he left a few more points at the foul line, too; he missed seven free throws.

“I just wanted to come in with an aggressive mindset and I wanted to start getting to the rim to start the game,” Banchero said. “It just felt good. I was playing confident. Honestly, I didn’t even know how much I had in the first half. I was just out there hooping.”

“It was one of those games when you’re watching and coaching, but you’re sitting there just enjoying his process and watching a great player perform,” Mosley said. “He was an artist out there.”

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But just as important as his offense were his contributions on defense. When Franz Wagner left after 11 minutes due to illness, Indiana’s Pascal Siakam became Banchero’s assignment.

In the fourth quarter, when Orlando’s defense went into lockdown, Siakam made just two of seven shots. The Magic held the Pacers to 17 points in the final 12 minutes — just enough runway for the home team to claw back ahead and stay there as the Kia Center crowd roared in approval.

Then, with the game tied at 115, Anthony Black found the ball swinging to him in the corner, and he calmly drilled what was eventually the game-winning three. He scored eight crucial points for the Magic, but none were bigger than those three points. Wendell Carter Jr. posted an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Moritz Wagner had 14 points off the Magic’s bench.

“I think it just shows us taking another step forward,” Black said. “We’re a young team … so it could be easy to just crumble in those types of situations.”

Last season, the Magic won 21 of 35 “clutch” games — which the NBA defines as any game within five points with under five minutes to go in regulation). Monday night’s thriller makes Orlando 1-0 in the clutch this year.

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The Magic set off on a five-game road trip, which begins Wednesday, Oct. 30 vs. the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

  • MAGIC’S MATURITY CAUSES TEAM TO LOOK IN MIRROR: The Orlando Magic are mature enough to realize when they don’t meet expectations, as in Saturday night’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The learning curve continues Monday night. CLICK HERE
  • HUFF TORCHES FORMER TEAM: Orlando Magic Summer League center Jay Huff had a career night Saturday… against his former team. The Memphis big scored 18 points off the bench and helped the Grizzlies thump Orlando. CLICK HERE
  • MAGIC-GRIZZLIES RECAP: Despite going on a 21-point run in the third quarter, the Orlando Magic had no answer for the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday night, falling 124-111. CLICK HERE
  • MAGIC’S 2024-25 SCHEDULE: See the complete slate for the Orlando Magic in 2024-25 and all the details – dates, locations, TV, tip times and more – that you need to know. CLICK HERE
  • Follow ‘Orlando Magic on SI‘ on Facebook and like our page. Follow Magic beat reporter Mason Williams on Twitter/X @mvsonwilliams. Also, bookmark our homepage so you never miss a story.



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    Is ‘The Bachelorette’ happening? This Carmel contestant weighs in

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    Is ‘The Bachelorette’ happening? This Carmel contestant weighs in


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    Should ABC air the canceled-for-now season of “The Bachelorette”? A Carmel man who was set to compete on it seems to think so.

    Matt Carroll, a 43-year-old Purdue basketball alum and Carmel resident, took to social media over the weekend to address the cancelation of season 22 of “The Bachelorette,” on which he appeared. Public opinion on whether the show should see the light of day is split, but the former Boilermaker forward and industrial real estate broker hopes the footage makes it to air.

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    Disney and ABC pulled season 22 of “The Bachelorette” because its lead, “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul, faces an ongoing domestic violence investigations. The network announced the decision March 19 after TMZ leaked a video from a 2023 domestic violence incident involving Paul and her ex Dakota Mortensen.

    Neither Carroll nor the show have officially commented on the cancelation, but that doesn’t mean he and other contestants haven’t hinted at their feelings on social media.

    Carroll’s Instagram reel — in which he struts through the streets of Carmel, rose in hand, RAYE’s “Where the Hell is My Husband” soundtracking it all — breaks the ice. “So…about that,” he joked, tagging both “The Bachelorette” and Bachelor Nation, the franchise’s official hub for news and content.

    The reel has garnered comments from fellow Carmel residents wishing Carroll well, even offering to set him up with local singles. Notably, though, some of Carroll’s followers have called for the season to air — and he agrees.

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    “Trying to manifest that they still air this,” one comment from model Brittany Mason reads. “America wants it the world wants it!”

    “From your lips to God’s ears,” Carroll replied.

    Another response from him put it more plainly:

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    “I’m still hoping they decide to air it.”

    Whether “The Bachelorette” will air is unclear. Disney Entertainment Television’s official statement only indicated that it was halting the season “for now,” so it’s possible the network could dust off the footage and air it after all.

    Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@indystar.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.



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    Game times announced for Saturday’s Final Four in Indianapolis

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    Game times announced for Saturday’s Final Four in Indianapolis


    INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament’s Final Four is set.

    Four teams have advanced to the Final Four and will compete for the national championship this upcoming weekend in Indianapolis.

    The two national semifinal matchups will take place on Saturday. Tip times for the two games have been announced:

    • 6:09 p.m. EDT – No. 3 seed Illinois vs. No. 2 seed UConn
    • 8:49 p.m. EDT – No. 1 seed Michigan vs. No. 1 seed Arizona

    The winners of Saturday’s games will then play in the National Championship Game on Monday, April 6.

    Each game will take place inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

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    Hundreds gather at Indiana State Capitol for ‘No Kings’ protest

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    Hundreds gather at Indiana State Capitol for ‘No Kings’ protest


    INDIANAPOLIS — Hundreds of Hoosiers gathered at the Indiana Statehouse Saturday morning as part of nationwide ‘No Kings’ events to voice their concerns about the current administration.

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    Hundreds gather at Indiana State Capitol for ‘No Kings’ protest

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    “I’m out here today because what’s happening in our government is completely trash,” Donna Sipes told WRTV. “It’s wrong. We need to do something about it.”

    “I’m tired of every single day when the TV comes on to see what stupid thing he’s done next,” Lindi Marti said.

    WRTV

    Attendees noted the growing popularity of the demonstrations.

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    “This is my fourth one to come to. I didn’t come to all of them when it was really cold, but I’m glad to see that they are getting a lot more people out here every time,” Marti added. “It seems like there’s more and more coming.”

    Demonstrators highlighted specific foreign policy concerns, including the administration’s handling of the war in Iran.

    “We’re bombing the heck out of them. We’re killing civilians,” Marti’s husband said. “We’re getting ready to send our Marines.”

    Screenshot 2026-03-28 at 4.38.20 PM.png

    WRTV

    Others focused on the administration’s handling of immigration.

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    “That’s what I’m concerned about,” Reverend Kenny Little told WRTV. “Little kids, they’re taking them away from their family. And I’m just one of those people, I think everyone got rights.”

    Indiana medical students also attended the rally to speak out against changes to the healthcare system.

    “We’re really worried about the attacks on the health care system in general, but with Medicaid… current estimates range from anywhere from 325,000 to 450,000 Hoosiers will lose coverage by 2032,” Wade Catt said with concern.

    Poster image - 2026-03-28T202405.362.jpg

    WRTV

    With midterm elections approaching later this year, attendees emphasized the importance of now taking action at the ballot box.

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    “If we don’t vote, then things are gonna not, they’re gonna stay the same,” a protester said.

    Meanwhile, Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith says he’s happy to see Hoosiers exercise their First Amendment right to protest.

    However, he takes issue with the idea that President Trump is acting like a king. Beckwith says the fact that people have the freedom to protest is proof that the president is not acting like a tyrant.

    He acknowledges that bridging the gap between the sides is probably an uphill battle, but believes communication is key.

    “I think when you sit down with people face to face, you’re confronted with humanity. There’s another human sitting across that table from you and talking to you. And so, all I have to say, I think that’s probably the thing I would encourage all Hoosiers to do is say, ‘Hey, if you don’t agree with somebody or if you don’t like somebody, why don’t you try grabbing coffee with them? And give it 30 minutes, and just see what happens.’ I bet most of the time people will walk away with a much softer heart and spirit towards that person before they came in,” Beckwith said.

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    Beckwith is currently on a 92-county tour of the state. He says all sides are welcome to attend his events.

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