Cruelly timed setback for Duke basketball professional Paolo Banchero

Paolo Banchero, the rookie centerpiece of Duke Basketball's last Final Four team before going to the Orlando Magic with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, enjoyed an epic start to his third season in the league. But it now looks like the 21-year-old forward's skills beyond his years are likely on hold for at least a month.

READ ALSO: More positive chatter in the Major Duke recruiting race

On Thursday, Orlando president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman announced that Banchero has a torn right oblique muscle and will be out indefinitely. The 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year and reigning first-time All-Star suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Magic's 102-99 road loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.

Weltman added that Banchero will be reevaluated in 4-6 weeks.

Earlier this week, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Banchero became the youngest player since LeBron James to record at least 50 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a single game. His career-best stats of 50 points, 13 boards and nine dimes came in Monday night's 119-115 home win over the Indiana Pacers.

Banchero followed up that impressive performance with 31 points, seven rebounds and four assists against Chicago.

In Orlando's 3-2 start, he averaged 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists while shooting 49.5 percent from the field, undoubtedly en route to his first All-NBA nomination , after leading the Magic to the franchise's first playoff appearance in 2023-24 since 2020.

The Magic and fellow seventh-year NBA former Duke basketball star Wendell Carter Jr. next face a road matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.

READ ALSO: Former Blue Devil guard stands out at second ACC stop

Stay tuned Duke Blue Devils on SI For more Duke basketball news, click here.