ORLANDO, Fla. – Paolo Banchero had the best night of his career on Monday.

Banchero tied the Orlando Magic’s record for points in a half, scoring 37 points in the first two quarters against the Indiana Pacers. He finished his career with 50 points, tied for the fifth-highest points total in Magic history. Orlando won 119-115.

“Man, I’m tired, I’m tired as hell,” Banchero said after the NBA’s first 50-point performance of the season. “But it was a damn good game.”

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 and finished the game 16 of 26 from the floor. He also had 13 rebounds and nine assists.

“It was just a matter of being in the zone,” Banchero said. “I felt like I was at home in an open gym just working on my game. Every shot felt like it was going in and it’s a good feeling when you have a day like that. Not every game will be like that, but I’m glad it was like that today.

At 21 years, 351 days, Banchero became the youngest player in Magic history to score a 50-point game and the second-youngest player with 50 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in an NBA game, behind only LeBron James (20). ). years, 80 days) in 2005 against the Toronto Raptors.

Tracy McGrady still holds the franchise single-game scoring record with 62 points against the Wizards on March 10, 2004. That was also the last time a Magic player reached 50 points, meaning 20 years and 232 days had passed between the franchise’s 50-point games – the fifth-longest drought in NBA history.

The other 50-point games in Magic history: Shaquille O’Neal had 53 against Minnesota on April 20, 1994; McGrady had 52 against Chicago on February 21, 2003; McGrady had 51 against Denver on November 14, 2003; Nick Anderson had 50 against New Jersey on April 23, 1993; and McGrady had 50 again on March 8, 2002 against Washington.

Banchero had the most assists (9) and second-most rebounds (13, only 18 back from O’Neal) in a 50-point game in Magic history.

His 37 points in the half tied the record, also set by McGrady in the first half for Orlando against Denver on March 9, 2003.

“That first half was magical for sure,” Banchero said.

In comparison, the Pacers starters combined for 37 points in the first half.

Banchero’s career high was 43 points as of Monday, set Jan. 3 against Sacramento. Last season, there were four first-half performances of 37 or more points – two from Phoenix’s Devin Booker, one from Karl-Anthony Towns (then of Minnesota, now of New York) and one from Dallas’ Luka Doncic.

ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.