Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane received a $25,000 fine from the NBA after launching a basketball into the crowd following Tuesday's victory over the Lakers. The ball bounced off equipment and struck fans sitting courtside after LeBron James missed a last-second shot attempt.
The NBA handed down a $25,000 penalty to Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane on Thursday following an incident where he launched a basketball into the crowd after his team’s narrow 110-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on the road.
The incident occurred moments after LeBron James failed to connect on a last-second three-pointer at the final buzzer on Tuesday. Bane then threw the basketball toward the opposite end of the arena, where it bounced off the shot clock before striking fans who were sitting near the baseline.
The 27-year-old player is putting up solid numbers this season, contributing 20.2 points per game along with 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists across 57 contests, all as a starter. Orlando obtained Bane through a major trade deal with the Memphis Grizzlies last June.
The league also announced an identical $25,000 penalty for Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards on the same day for a similar violation. Edwards’ basketball toss from near the free-throw line during halftime break reportedly hit a security worker in the head.
This marks Bane’s second fine for throwing basketballs inappropriately this season. In December, the league penalized him $35,000 for hurling a ball at New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby when the player wasn’t looking.
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