For the first time in his career, Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane suited up in all 82 regular-season games in 2025/26, though Jamahl Mosley had intended to keep his minutes low on Sunday.
Bane opened the game with a short stint and was expected to sit the rest out, but that plan changed when the Magic struggled in the third quarter, leading to his return and 18 total minutes, including most of the final period.
“I kept my mind ready to go, my body ready to go, riding a bike, putting heat on my knees and stuff like that,” he said. “But I don’t think coach really wanted to (put me back in), just to protect me. Keeping me healthy was his main goal. But I appreciate him letting me go back in the game and giving me a chance to try to help us win.”
Even with the setback, Bane and Franz Wagner shared a positive outlook afterward, focusing on the chance to compete in the postseason.
“I’m excited,” Bane said. “We’ve got an opportunity to go and play postseason basketball. Not everybody gets to say that. That’s not something that everybody gets to experience so I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
As the Magic gear up for Wednesday’s play-in game, Paolo Banchero admits Sunday’s regular season finale was “frustrating.” More: https://t.co/BPXlgMjdrZ
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) April 14, 2026
