This year, the New York Knicks have a historic opportunity to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in 26 years. To get there, they’ll need to overcome the Indiana Pacers, who are also hungry for success. Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero reflected on that pursuit.
In a recent conversation on The Pivot Podcast, Banchero discussed the Magic’s performance over the past few seasons and what has held them back from becoming true contenders. “Learning from these last two years, right? We’ve been out in the first round the last two years in the playoffs,” he noted.
“Now, why is that? What do we need to get better at? What do we need to work on? Where are some of our deficiencies, where are some of our strengths? And how does it all translate into winning in the playoffs? I think that’s the biggest thing. Not only focusing on the regular season success, but how can we be successful in the playoffs,” the 22-year-old forward explained.
“I see some of these teams like the Knicks or the Cavaliers,” the Orlando star added. “The Knicks, they’ve been in the playoffs the last couple of years, but they went and got some guys, and I think their mind is, they’re trying to win for the playoffs. And Boston, they’re trying to win for the playoffs.”
The Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals this year
Banchero emphasized that there’s something in the approach of franchises like the Knicks or the Celtics that’s allowed them to reach this point: “You can just feel that when you play against some of those teams. So I think that’s our next step. Focusing on what do we need to do as a team, as an organization, to have success in winning the playoffs and make those deep runs.”
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In the same conversation with The Pivot Podcast, Paolo Banchero explained that beyond team and organizational mindset, success in the postseason also requires favorable circumstances—like health and timing—that are often beyond control.
“Health, I think it’s the biggest thing,” the power forward stated. “Obviously, not everyone’s going to be healthy all the 82 games, but you want your main guys to be healthy, you know, for the playoffs. So, I think this year, not having Jalen Suggs, that hurt us a little bit because he’s such a big piece for us.”
Indeed, Suggs had a 2024–25 season plagued by injuries that kept him off the court for extended stretches. In January alone, he appeared in just three games before the Magic ultimately ruled him out for the season due to knee issues. In total, the guard played only 35 games throughout the campaign.
Banchero himself wasn’t spared from injuries either. He appeared in just 46 of the 82 regular-season games due to an oblique injury that sidelined him through November, December, and part of January. Upon returning, Paolo played a key role in helping Orlando reach the NBA playoffs—though their postseason run was brief, as they were eliminated in the first round by the Boston Celtics in five games.
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