ORLANDO, Fla. — Paolo Banchero tied the Orlando Magic record for points in a half on Monday night, scoring 37 in the first two quarters against the Indiana Pacers.
Banchero, the league’s rookie of the year two seasons ago and an All-Star last year, was 13-of-17 from the field in the half. He also had seven rebounds and six assists, becoming the first player with 35 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a first half since play-by-play was first tracked in 1996-97.
The Pacers starters combined for 37 points in the first half.
Banchero’s 37 points tied the mark set by Tracy McGrady, also in the first half, for Orlando against Denver on March 9, 2003.
McGrady also owns the franchise’s single-game scoring record, with 62 against the Wizards on March 10, 2004.
Banchero’s career-high entering Monday is 43 points, set Jan. 3 against Sacramento. There were four first-half performances of 37 or more points last season — two by Phoenix‘s Devin Booker, one by Karl-Anthony Towns (then of Minnesota, now of New York) and one by Dallas‘ Luka Doncic.
ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.