Desmond

Bane

Bane’s 20-point game was his first since November 20, but the improved percentage is more important. In the eight games prior, he shot 41.4% from the field and averaged 12.1 points, a far cry from what many have come to expect from the Grizzlies guard. Bane having a night like Friday was much-needed and should alleviate the concerns of some fantasy managers.

The Grizzlies’ star guard duo missed the second leg of a back-to-back on Sunday, but they’ll be back in the lineup for this game. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Marcus Smart should end up returning to the bench.

One night after they helped the Grizzlies knock off the Celtics in Boston, Morant and Bane will not play against the Wizards. Scotty Pippen Jr. will figure more prominently in the rotation, likely as a starter, and is worth rostering for Sunday’s action. Marcus Smart is also available, and his minutes should increase.

Bane and Smart have been upgraded from questionable to available, with the latter getting to play in Boston for the first time since the Celtics traded him in the summer of 2023 (Smart was injured last season). He’ll continue to come off the bench, with Bane retaining his place in the starting lineup.

Bane hasn’t missed a game in almost a month, but he is a late addition to the injury report for this game. If he is forced to sit out, Marcus Smart may be able to get the starting nod in return to Boston.

After a few poor performances in a row, Bane has started to get back on track over their last two games. He has scored at least 15 in each of their last two after going three straight games with less than 10 points. Bane’s numbers are still way down in comparison to his last few seasons, but the buy-low window is starting to close. He is back to seeing a full workload after a seven-game absence with an oblique injury, and his numbers should continue to improve. We’ll see if he can keep it going against the Kings on Thursday.

Entering Sunday, Bane was shooting 34.8% from the field since returning from injury on November 15. He was better against the Pacers, shooting close to 50% from the field while recording solid rebound and assist numbers. Having a healthy Ja Morant in the lineup should help regarding the quality of shots that Bane gets. At this point, it’s about him returning to being the shooter he’s proven himself to be in previous seasons.

Bane has proven that he can create with others through passing but was unexpectedly very active on the boards. He reached double-digits in rebounds for the fourth time in his career and second time this season. Bane’s offense is still coming around, as he’s been in an out of the lineup because of injuries so far this year.

Bane struggled mightily going 1-of-10 from the field and 0-of-5 from behind the 3-point line. Bane returned from an oblique injury last Friday and hasn’t reached 20 points in any of the three games he’s played since. Bane will get up to speed shortly and will have plenty of opportunity with Ja Morant still out with a hip injury. Memphis plays in the second game of a back-to-back Wednesday against the 76ers.

Starting in his second game back from a strained oblique muscle, Bane recorded his first double-double of the season on Sunday. The Grizzlies are without Ja Morant (hip), who’s week-to-week, and Marcus Smart sat out Sunday’s win with an ankle injury. Those absences open things up for Bane from a playmaking standpoint, and his assist tally against the Nuggets was a season-high. Memphis plays three games in Week 5, beginning with the Nuggets again on Tuesday.