The Memphis Grizzlies have dominated headlines this past week following the firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins after six seasons. With interim coach Tuomas Iisalo now at the helm, the team will look to finish the regular season strong and secure a favorable playoff position.
However, Jenkins' dismissal wasn't the only viral moment surrounding the team. During a March 25 game against the Utah Jazz, Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama got into a heated exchange during a timeout, with Bane visibly frustrated and shoving Aldama into the bench. Aldama appeared ready to retaliate before teammates intervened to separate the two.
The interaction between Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama has come to light:
Bane - "Are you gonna f****** guard anybody?"
Aldama - "F*** you."
Bane - "No, f*** you. Play harder."
(via @TheAthletic, @CourtsideBuzzX)pic.twitter.com/hOrZ96MAFd
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 29, 2025
While the reason for the altercation remains unclear, both players downplayed the incident. Bane addressed the situation, emphasizing that his relationship with Aldama remains strong.
"Two competitors," Bane said. "We're scratching and clawing against a Utah team on the road. We're trying to push each other to be better. And that was pretty much that. I probably took it too far. I love Santi. He was in my wedding, I'll be in his wedding. We talked right on the bench right after, hugged it out in the locker room, and everything's great."
Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama each publicly addressed their confrontation in Utah earlier in the week. Both said it's no big deal moving forward.
"I probably took it too far. I love Santi. He was at my wedding, I'll be at his wedding."
"If that's a wake-up call, then so be it." pic.twitter.com/ypTmG3RV2o
— Matt Infield (@Matt_Infield) March 30, 2025
Despite sitting fifth in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies are just two games ahead of the seventh-seed Los Angeles Clippers. With seven regular-season games left, Memphis will need to stay focused on the court and put distractions behind them.
The Grizzlies will face a major test on Monday night against a red-hot Boston Celtics team riding an eight-game winning streak.
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This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 4:19 PM.