Magic's Desmond Bane: Limited scoring impact in big win
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Bane recorded five points (2-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt), five assists and two steals in 20 minutes during Saturday's 125-94 victory over the Wizards.
Bane finished in single digits for the second straight game Saturday, though it didn't impact the Magic's dominant win. Acquired from the Grizzlies this offseason to bolster perimeter scoring, the sharpshooting guard has struggled to find his rhythm, connecting on just 25.8 percent of his attempts from deep. Through seven games, the 27-year-old is averaging 14.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists -- all notable declines from his 2024-25 production.
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Magic's Desmond Bane: Fouls out in loss to 76ers
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Bane fouled out of Monday's 136-124 loss to the 76ers, finishing with 24 points (10-17 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and one assist over 34 minutes.
Bane fouled out for the first time in two seasons Monday, and he definitely picked up some frustration fouls along the way while seemingly perturbed by Tyrese Maxey getting the better of him all game long. He also struggled from distance, which has been a team-wide trend for Orlando over the past two games when the Magic has converted just 22.4 percent of their three-point looks.
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Magic's Desmond Bane: Dishes five assists in loss
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Bane posted 15 points (5-14 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds and five assists across 33 minutes in Friday's 111-107 loss to Atlanta.
Bane did not shoot well from beyond the arc Friday, but was able to provide value in the rebounds and assists categories. With Jalen Suggs (knee) doubtful to play in the second leg of a back-to-back, Bane may be tasked with more playmaking responsibilities as the Magic take on the Bulls on Saturday.
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Magic's Desmond Bane: Nets 23 points with two swats
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Bane registered 23 points (7-18 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 6-6 FT), four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and four turnovers in 33 minutes during Wednesday's 125-121 season-opening win over Miami.
The Magic struggled mightily from beyond the arc last season, which is why they brought in Bane, who is a career 41-percent three-point sniper. He looked comfortable working in Orlando's offense Wednesday night, did a nice job spreading the floor, and really took over late when it mattered most to help deliver the win for the Magic. He's all set up for a big year with Orlando.
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Magic's Desmond Bane: Good to go Thursday
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Bane (rest) will be available for Thursday's preseason game against the Pelicans, Cody Taylor of USA Today reports.
Head coach Jamahl Mosley did not reveal his plans for Thursday's rotation, but he doesn't anticipate anyone sitting out for rest purposes. Bane is still searching for his rhythm with his new team, as he's shooting 38.5 percent from the field through two exhibitions.
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Magic's Desmond Bane: Fills box score in Orlando debut
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Bane logged nine points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and three assists over 13 minutes during the Magic's 126-118 preseason win over the Heat on Saturday.
Bane made the most of his limited playing time Saturday and finished tied with Alex Morales for most dimes on the team. Bane spent the first five seasons of his NBA career with the Grizzlies but will don a Magic jersey for the 2025-26 campaign after being traded my Memphis to Orlando in mid-June. Bane finished the 2024-25 regular season averaging 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals over 32 minutes per game.
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Magic's Desmond Bane: Traded to Orlando
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The Grizzlies traded Bane to the Magic on Sunday in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and a first-round pick swap, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The sharpshooter will join Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in Orlando after the Magic's first-round playoff loss to the Celtics. Bane delivered another productive season during the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.4 three-pointers and 1.2 steals across 32.0 minutes per game in 69 regular-season appearances for Memphis. A career 41.0 percent shooter from beyond the arc, the 26-year-old is under contract through the 2028-29 campaign and will provide the Magic with much-needed outside shooting after they finished last in three-point percentage last season.
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Grizzlies' Desmond Bane: Strikes for 23 in Saturday's loss
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Bane produced 23 points (7-20 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 7-8 FT), five rebounds and five assists over 38 minutes during Saturday's 117-115 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The fifth-year wing stepped up with his best scoring performance of the playoffs in the absence of Ja Morant (hip), but it wasn't enough to prevent Memphis from getting swept. Bane stayed relatively healthy in 2024-25, making 69 regular-season appearances after managing a combined 100 games the two seasons prior, giving him something to build on heading into 2025-26.
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Grizzlies' Desmond Bane: Struggles offensively in loss
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Bane finished Thursday's 114-108 loss to the Thunder in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 10 points (3-14 FG, 2-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals across 37 minutes.
Bane was unable to find any rhythm on the offensive end, shooting no better than 25 percent from the field for the second time in the past three games. With Ja Morant (hip) in some doubt for Game 4, the Grizzlies will need Bane to step up should they have any hope of forcing a Game 5.
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Grizzlies' Desmond Bane: Double-double in Game 2
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Bane logged 19 points (7-17 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block over 37 minutes in Tuesday's 118-99 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
It was a better overall performance for Bane on Tuesday compared to Game 1. It was his 10th double-double of the season, and he finished as the game's leading rebounder and as the Grizzlies' third-leading scorer behind Jaren Jackson (26) and Ja Morant (23). Bane averaged 23.8 points on 51.1 percent shooting over his final 10 outings of the regular season, and the Grizzlies will need that kind of production in Game 3 on Thursday down 2-0 in the series.
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Grizzlies' Desmond Bane: Held in check
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Bane racked up nine points (3-12 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and two rebounds over 27 minutes during Sunday's 131-80 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The Grizzlies were run out of the building in Game 1, so none of the starters eclipsed 30 minutes. Bane struggled against the Thunder during four regular-season contests as well, averaging 15.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists on 35.7 percent shooting from the field.
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Grizzlies' Desmond Bane: Hits for 30 in Play-In loss
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Bane ended Tuesday's 121-116 Play-In Game loss to the Warriors with 30 points (11-21 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 39 minutes.
Ja Morant picked up an ankle injury in the second half Tuesday, and while he was able to return in the fourth quarter, it left Bane to carry the scoring load for the Grizzlies. The fifth-year guard has averaged 21.5 points, 6.5 boards, 5.1 assists, 2.8 threes and 1.1 steals over his final 21 appearances in the regular season dating back to the beginning of March, and Bane could see elevated usage again Friday if Morant isn't 100 percent, as Memphis gets a second chance to secure a playoff spot.
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Grizzlies' Desmond Bane: Lifted from injury report
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Bane (groin) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's Play-In Game against the Warriors.
Bane didn't suit up for his team's final regular-season matchup Sunday against the Mavericks due to a groin issue, but he'll be good to go for Tuesday's clash. He's been a strong contributor for the Grizzlies of late, averaging 25.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists over his last five games.
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Grizzlies' Desmond Bane: Out Sunday
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Bane (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Mavericks.
As expected, Bane and most of Memphis' regulars have been downgraded from doubtful to out and won't suit up for the regular-season finale. There's been no indication that Bane is in danger of missing the Play-In Tournament.
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Grizzlies' Desmond Bane: Uncertain status for Sunday
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Bane is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Mavericks due to left adductor soreness.
The Grizzlies have already locked up a spot in the Play-In Tournament, so there's no point in risking some of their regular rotation members. That includes Bane, who's often been the second- or third-best player on the roster. For what it's worth, though, the doubtful tag suggests Bane might not play, and if he ends up being ruled out, Cam Spencer, John Konchar and Vince Williams could see more time in the backcourt. Other players such as Scotty Pippen (back), Luke Kennard (knee) and Ja Morant (shoulder) are also carrying doubtful tags.
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Grizzlies' Desmond Bane: Scores 28 points vs. Minnesota
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Bane closed Thursday's 141-125 loss to Minnesota with 28 points (11-18 FG, 6-10 3Pt), six rebounds, nine assists, one block and one steal in 39 minutes.
Ja Morant paced the Grizzlies in this high-scoring loss, but Bane also had an impressive performance and finished just one assist away from recording a double-double. Even though Morant remains the de facto top scoring and playmaking option for the Grizzlies, Bane has been putting up solid numbers whenever he experiences an uptick in his usage rate. Over his last seven games, Bane is averaging 23.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals across 33.9 minutes.
Bane ended with 17 points (6-23 FG, 1-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and one steal over 36 minutes during Thursday's 110-108 win over the Heat.
The Grizzlies escaped with a tight win over the Heat on Thursday, and while Bane certainly contributed to the win with a loaded stat line, the fact that he delivered a woeful shooting performance simply can't be overlooked. This was the first time Bane made single-digit field goals despite attempting 20-plus shots all season long. He should be able to bounce back sooner rather than later, though, as Bane is averaging a solid 19.9 points per game in 22 games since the All-Star break.
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Grizzlies' Desmond Bane: Scores 19 points in loss
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Bane ended with 19 points (6-15 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals across 35 minutes during Tuesday's 134-125 loss to the Warriors.
Bane filled the stat sheet admirably in this loss to the Warriors, and while Ja Morant grabbed most of the headlines for his 36-point output, Bane made his presence felt admirably on both ends of the court. Bane has filled several roles in the lineup throughout the season, but he always finds a way to stand out and deliver above-average fantasy lines. He's averaging 20.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks per game since the All-Star break.
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Grizzlies' Desmond Bane: Leads Memphis in loss
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Bane closed with 29 points (12-18 FG, 5-8 3Pt), four rebounds, six assists and two steals over 33 minutes during Saturday's 134-127 loss to the Lakers.
Bane finished with a team-high 29 points and was one of three Grizzlies to score at least 20 points, albeit in a losing effort. The sharpshooter delivered a bounce-back performance following Thursday's loss to Oklahoma City, during which he tallied three points and shot 1-for-12 from the floor. Bane has scored at least 20 points in eight of his 14 appearances this month, averaging 21.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.6 three-pointers and 1.2 steals across 33.8 minutes per contest.
Bane supplied 21 points (8-16 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal across 30 minutes during Tuesday's 140-103 win over Utah.
Bane did his damage over the first three quarters, leaving the game with 7:49 left in the midst of a relentless 14-0 run. Although the Jazz kept it close in the first half, Bane sat back and allowed Jay Huff and Santi Aldama to lead the team to a sizable lead in the third quarter. Bane bounced back nicely after the Clippers limited him to 10 points last Friday. If Ja Morant's (hamstring) injury continues to be an issue, Bane's production will have explosive potential.
