The NBA has officially issued a $35,000 fine to Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane for his role in an on-court incident involving New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby.
The league announced the disciplinary action following a review of the sequence that occurred during the fourth quarter of the Magic’s 106–100 loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 7. League officials cited Bane for “throwing the game ball with force at an opponent in an unsportsmanlike manner” after a play that left both players and fans stunned.
While the physical confrontation between the two stars was brief, the league’s decision to levy a substantial fine highlights its continued commitment to maintaining player safety and decorum.
Here is a closer look at the incident and the resulting fallout.
What triggered the confrontation at Madison Square Garden?
The incident began late in the fourth quarter when OG Anunoby fell out of bounds after a transition play under the basket.
With 6:13 remaining in regulation, the Knicks forward was pursuing a loose ball near the baseline when he lost his footing and ended up on the floor near the basket support.
Bane, who had secured the loose ball while staying in play, turned and rifled the basketball directly at Anunoby’s back from close range. The force of the throw was significant enough to cause Anunoby to spring up immediately and confront Bane with a shove to the chest.
Desmond Bane WYD⁉️😭 pic.twitter.com/WTU2qswlYK
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 7, 2025
Teammates and officials quickly stepped in to separate the two players before the situation could escalate further into a full-scale altercation. The officials reviewed the play and assessed Bane a technical foul for a “hostile act,” while Anunoby was not penalized for his reactionary shove.
How did the NBA justify the $35,000 fine?
The NBA’s Department of Basketball Operations released a statement on December 8 detailing the financial penalty for Bane.
James Jones, the Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, officially announced the fine, emphasizing that the action was deemed unsportsmanlike and unnecessary.
The $35,000 figure is notably high for a non-ejection incident, but league sources suggest the “force” used in the throw was a major factor in the final amount. The NBA has a history of penalizing players who use the game ball as a projectile, especially when it is directed at a defenseless opponent who is already on the ground.
While Bane was allowed to remain in the game after his technical foul, the league’s secondary review concluded that the on-court penalty was not sufficient for the nature of the act. The fine serves as a formal reprimand and a deterrent against similar behavior in future matchups across the league.
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/nid1JJ3mGT
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 8, 2025
Has Desmond Bane been involved in similar incidents before?
This disciplinary action follows a pattern of recent behavioral issues for the Magic guard during the 2025 season.
Just a month prior, on November 4, Bane was ejected from a game against the Atlanta Hawks for a very similar sequence of events.
In that earlier incident, Bane fired the ball at Hawks player Onyeka Okongwu after a hard foul, which led to an immediate ejection and a technical foul. The league likely took this repeat behavior into account when determining the severity of the $35,000 fine for the Anunoby situation.
Maintaining composure has become a talking point for the Magic coaching staff as they rely heavily on Bane’s offensive production. Having their star guard caught up in multiple “ball-firing” controversies within a single season is a trend the organization will look to rectify as they push for a playoff spot.
What were the reactions from the players and media?
Following the game, both players seemed to downplay the severity of the exchange despite the initial heat on the court.
OG Anunoby, known for his stoic demeanor, provided a classic dry response when asked about the throw by reporters in the locker room.
“I should have caught it,” Anunoby remarked, effectively ending any potential for a public war of words between the two teams. Photos from later in the game even showed the two players sharing a brief laugh, suggesting that whatever tension existed had dissipated by the final buzzer.
Desmond Bane also offered his perspective, claiming that he was simply trying to make a “basketball play” by throwing the ball off Anunoby to retain possession for the Magic. He joked that his friends told him the Cincinnati Reds might call him for spring training, given the velocity of his throw, though he admitted he might have used a bit too much force.
How does this impact the Orlando Magic moving forward?
While a $35,000 fine is a drop in the bucket for a player on a max contract, the focus remains on Bane’s availability and discipline.
The Magic are currently in a tight race in the Eastern Conference, and they cannot afford to have a key starter facing potential suspensions for repeat offenses.
The NBA often increases penalties for “recidivist” behavior, meaning any third incident could result in a multi-game suspension without pay. Orlando’s management will likely have internal discussions with Bane to ensure he keeps his competitive fire directed toward the scoreboard rather than the opposition.
Despite the fine, the Magic remain focused on their upcoming schedule, including crucial rematches against Atlantic Division opponents. For now, the “dodgeball” incident at the Garden serves as a costly lesson for one of the league’s most talented young guards.
TL;DR
- The NBA fined Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane $35,000 for throwing the ball at OG Anunoby.
- The incident occurred with 6:13 left in the fourth quarter during a game at Madison Square Garden.
- Bane received a technical foul on the court, but the league added a fine for “unsportsmanlike” conduct.
- This is Bane’s second incident this season involving throwing a ball at an opponent.
- Both players later laughed off the situation, with Anunoby jokingly stating he “should have caught it.”
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
