Orlando Magic star power forward Paolo Banchero was overcome with emotion Saturday night after he nailed a difficult game-winning shot against the Detroit Pistons.
With the score tied at 109 with 12 seconds to go, Banchero got the ball on the left wing and started to go to work. Unable to get to the rim, he pulled up for a jumper and was fouled by Detroit’s Jalen Duren on the way up. Banchero shook off the contact, made the shot and then sunk the free throw to give his team the 112–109 road win. But when speaking to Bally Sports Florida afterward, his eyes were full of tears, and he had to fight to muster a coherent sentence.
Check out the play and the interview in the video clip below. (Warning: vulgar language)
"I don't know why I'm f**** crying."
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 25, 2024
Paolo Banchero's emotional postgame interview after his tough game-winning and-1. He missed 2 free throws on the previous play. pic.twitter.com/ZZSfOhLfgZ
“I’m sorry about that,” Banchero said while fighting back tears. “It’s just been tough, man. I’ve been feeling terrible. I played terrible, and I just give credit to my teammates. They lifted me up the whole game. I don’t know why I’m crying right now. It was a hard game, and I’m proud of my team for sure.”
Banchero, who was dealing with an illness, finished the game 15 points after making five of his 17 shot attempts. The Magic improved to 32–25 and currently sit at the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.
PAOLO BANCHERO FOR THE WIN 🍿 pic.twitter.com/rhadvKOX3F
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 25, 2024
