During Tuesday’s game, Orlando Magic player Desmond Bane had a rather unusual moment that resembled volleyball in a tense match against the Atlanta Hawks, where the Magic lost 127-112.
In the third quarter, with the Hawks holding a lead of 79-65, Bane found himself alone as he tried to defend Onyeka Okongwu, who was making a fast break. What happened next was a bit chaotic. Okongwu attempted a layup, but Bane didn’t want to let him score easily. So, he fouled him and, in the process, dragged him to the ground. As Okongwu was falling, Bane swatted the ball away in a way that looked like a volleyball spike, hitting it off Okongwu’s head.
After the play was reviewed, Bane received both a technical and a flagrant foul, leading to his ejection from the game. Following the incident, he insisted that he didn’t mean to hit Okongwu with the ball. “Hard fouls, I mean, that’s what we’re talking about. No easy baskets,” Bane said, emphasizing the importance of defensive intensity. “There’s nothing at the rim. Make them see the lights and make them commit hard fouls.”
Interestingly, he commented, “I swiped the ball, and it just happened to hit him, and they made that call.” Before his ejection, Bane had contributed nine points, along with three rebounds and two assists in just 23 minutes on the court. This season marks his first year with the Magic after being traded from the Memphis Grizzlies.
The team’s loss brings their record to 3-5, but they are set to face the Boston Celtics, who also sit at 3-5, on Friday evening.
