'Send 'Em Home!' Paolo Banchero Helps Knicks Fans to Exits in All-Star Parting Gift

If this whole basketball thing doesn't work out for Paolo Banchero, serving as an usher at Kia Center would certainly stand as an attractive backup plan.

That probably won't be necessary if Wednesday night is any indication: Banchero closed out the path to his first All-Star Game in style, scoring 36 points in a 118-100 for his Orlando Magic over the New York Knicks. It was each side's final game before the coming weekend's All-Star festivities in Indianapolis, where he and Knicks rep Jalen Brunson will make their exhibition debuts for the Eastern Conference on Sunday night (8 p.m. ET, TNT).

Facing the Knicks is often a challenging affair not only thanks to the team's revamped defense but New York also features a well-traveled national fanbase that provides a homely feel on the road, particularly in Florida, the state of countless metropolitan transplants. But Banchero was quick to point out that the invaders, known for offering "MVP" chants for Brunson in recent weeks, were rather quiet during the game's final stages.

"Every time we play them here, they try to make their presence be felt," Banchero noted in his postgame interview with Dante Marchitelli of Bally Sports Florida. "You've got to give credit to them, but it was time to send them home."

Once the game was well in hand, as Orlando went up by as much as 23 in the final period, MSG Network cameras caught Banchero waving to the sizable Knicks contingents and directing them to the Kia Center exits. It was a duty that Banchero said he "enjoyed a lot," especially considering that Knicks fans upped the volume after Brunson's 20 first period points offered them a 36-27 lead.

But Banchero fought back with mastery of his own, scoring 22 points in the first half on a 9-of-10 effort from the field. Brunson, who played the entire first period, could only watch from the bench as the Knicks (33-22) saw their lead completely evaporate by the time he took the floor in the second.

Knicks Literally Limp Into All-Star Break, Hexed By Banchero, Magic Again

Though Wednesday's loss came with six regulars sidelined due to injuries, the Knicks have been hexed by Banchero and the Magic this season, dropping each of the first three meetings to date. One more get-together is scheduled for March 8 at Madison Square Garden. Orlando has not swept the Knicks in a four-game set in the 2001-02 season.