Desmond Bane
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Desmond Bane is listed as questionable on the official injury report for the Orlando Magic's game on Wednesday, December 31.
TheOrlando Magic will face theIndiana Pacers in a rare weekday-afternoon game on Wednesday, December 31 but they may be without one of their best players.
Desmond Bane is listed as questionable with back spasms on theofficial injury report. The guard had 18 points, six rebounds and three assists in a 107-106 loss to theToronto Raptors on Monday, December 29.
Bane is having a solid first season with Orlando after the team acquired him in a blockbuster trade this offseason, averaging 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 44.5% from the field and 34.5% from three.Defensively, he averages 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.
Is Desmond Bane Playing Today?
Bane has not missed any games this year, and this injury flare up could be some cause for concern for the Magic. With an off day tomorrow and a little extra time due to the afternoon start today, the team may use it as an opportunity to give him a breather.
Orlando won’t take any chances with Bane against the Pacers if he is not feeling 100%. The Magic will likely evaluate him pregame before making a final decision on his status.If Bane is out today, rookieJase Richardson could be in line for more minutes.
Jalen Suggs was upgraded from doubtful to questionable ahead of Wednesday’s game.Jonathan Isaac is also questionable with left knee soreness, whileFranz Wagner andMoritz Wagner are out for the contest with injuries.
Orlando Magic Trying To Build Momentum
The Magic (18-15) are in sixth in a crowded Eastern Conference and will try to begin stringing some wins together on Monday against an easier stretch of their schedule. Orlando will face theChicago Bulls and Pacers to close out this week before matching up with theWashington Wizards andBrooklyn Nets at the beginning of next week.
One of the keys for the Magic as they head into 2026 will be to helpPaolo Bancherofind more consistency. The former All-Star dealt with a groin injury earlier this year, and in his last five games, he has scored more than 15 points just twice. The forward did have maybe his best performance of the season against the Raptors on Monday, posting 23 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for the fourth triple-double of his career.