Following a 34-game absence due to a torn right abdominal muscle, Paolo Banchero returned to the Kia Center court Friday against the Bucks.

Banchero has missed the Magic's last 33 games, and he will reportedly miss a 34th on when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. On the official injury report, he is still listed as "questionable" for that game, as of Thursday afternoon.

The latest on player health and status ahead of Friday night's matchup between the Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks.

Paolo Banchero will play on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Orlando Magic announced. Banchero has not seen game action since tearing his oblique in October. He missed 34 games due to the injury.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 41 points and 14 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks beat Orlando 109-106 in spite of 34 points by the Magic’s Paolo Banchero in his long-awaited return from an injury.

Paolo Banchero’s return from injury can influence the Orlando Magic’s trade deadline plans, potentially impacting key roster decisions.

The Orlando Magic's well-documented injury woes should be eased in a big way on Friday when the team is expected to get All-Star Paolo Banchero back from a 34-game absence in time for a home meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Magic star Paolo Banchero is set to make his return from an oblique injury at the end of the week against either the Timberwolves or Bucks.

Orlando Magic star forward Paolo Banchero is expected to return to the court in either one of the team's back-to-back home games this week, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

Banchero has been out since before Halloween with a torn oblique but is expected to return Thursday (Timberwolves) or Friday (Bucks).

Paolo Banchero missed 34 games, then came back and scored 34 points. The Orlando forward — back in the lineup for the first time in almost 2 1/2 months while recovering from a torn oblique muscle — gave his team a chance on Friday night,