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Ohm Youngmisuk
ORLANDO, Fla. — Magic guard Desmond Bane had missed all five of his prior 3-point attempts Monday night and was only hitting 26% from beyond the arc for the season when he made a 3 he will always remember.
Bane sank his first career game-winning buzzer beater when his twisting-and-falling-away 3 over the extended arm of Toumani Camara led the Magic to a shocking 115-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, igniting a spectacular celebration at the Kia Center.
«Probably the best game winner I’ve seen here in the Kia Center,» stated Orlando star forward Paolo Banchero.
Though Bane (22 points) was 1-for-6 from 3, extending a trend of shooting difficulties for the former Grizzlies star early in the season, he believes his game winner may help him regain his rhythm with his new team.
«I just want to be a part of winning,» Bane mentioned. «But I think moments like tonight really help you adapt to a new setting.»
After Bane made the shot in front of the Blazers’ bench, his teammates swarmed him. Banchero lifted Bane up before players piled onto the guard on the court.
The Magic (5-6) traded four unprotected first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony for Bane last summer, believing the guard could be the essential element to propel them toward contention in the East—both now and in the future.
However, Orlando started the season 1-4 and experienced inconsistent performances from its stars, including Bane. The shooting guard came into Monday averaging a mere 14.2 points while recording a career-low 29.3% shooting from 3.
On Monday, the Magic held a 13-point lead against the Blazers with 8:57 to go, despite missing starting point guard Jalen Suggs, who was rested in the second game of the back-to-back as he continues to recover from knee surgery in March.
Orlando had a nine-point edge with 2:32 remaining but watched as Portland surged back with an 11-0 run to lead 112-110 with 10.6 seconds left following an alley-oop tip by Jerami Grant, who was fouled by Banchero. It appeared to be a devastating loss following the Magic’s recent 111-107 defeat to the Boston Celtics on Sunday evening.
Banchero responded with a layup while being fouled to tie the game at 112 with five seconds remaining, but he missed his third consecutive free throw.
On the next possession, Jrue Holiday drove, but Banchero snagged the ball from him, calling a timeout. Franz Wagner, who inbounded the ball with 1.9 seconds left, initially looked for Banchero, but the Blazers had him covered.
Bane then utilized a Wendell Carter Jr. screen to create space off Holiday before he received the inbound pass, dribbled, and launched his twisting, fading rainbow 3 for the win.
«It was a surge of excitement for sure,» remarked Banchero, who scored 28 points. «Especially for me, him saving my behind like that. I didn’t anticipate it being that thrilling.»
«He’s a premier player. He stayed focused the entire game. Coach [Jamahl Mosley] designed a great play, presented us with multiple options, found Desmond, and he made the shot.»
According to Basketball-Reference, Bane became only the fourth player in Magic history to sink a game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointer, joining Cole Anthony (2021), Jameer Nelson (2011), and Hedo Turkoglu (2008).
