NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
For a moment, it looked like Orlando Magic star Desmond Bane was playing volleyball in the team’s 127-112 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday.
Bane was alone trying to defend a fast break layup from Onyeka Okongwu with the Hawks up 79-65 in the third quarter.
Okongwu went up for a layup, but Bane refused to give up the easy bucket, so he fouled him and pulled him to the ground. As Okongwu fell to the floor, the ball floated in the air and Bane knocked it off Okongwu’s head like a volleyball player making a spike.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane leaves the court after being ejected in the second half against the Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta, Nov. 4, 2025. (Colin Hubbard/AP Photo)
After a replay review, Bane was ejected from the game after being assessed both a technical foul and a flagrant foul for his foul. The 27-year-old said he did not intentionally aim to hit Okongwu with the ball.
“Tough foul. I mean, we talk about it — no easy baskets,” Bane said after the game, according to the New York Post . “Nothing at the rim. Make them see the lights (on the ceiling) and hard foul.
CELTICS’ JAYLEN BROWN SLIMERS NBA EMMEDICINE AFTER APPARENTLY BEING REPORTED IN LOSS TO JAZZ: ‘COST US THE GAME’
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) is fouled by Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the third quarter at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Nov. 4, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
“I stroked the ball and it happened to hit him. And they made the call they made.”
Bane had nine points, three rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes before being ejected. He is in his sixth season in the NBA and his first with the Magic after being traded from the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason.
Onyeka Okongwu (17) of the Atlanta Hawks is fouled by Desmond Bane (3) of the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Nov. 4, 2025. After an official review, Bane was charged with a technical foul and ejected after slamming the ball at Okongwu as he lay on the floor. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Magic fell to 3-5 with the loss and will look to bounce back against the Boston Celtics (3-5) on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
