CHICAGO – During his first three games back from an injury absence, Desmond Bane refused to allow statistics to determine his level of success as he worked to regain a rhythm.
Having missed six games to recover from an oblique strain, the Grizzlies’ shooting guard was confident it was only a matter of time before the numbers lined up with his impact on the floor.
So, even as he missed 14 of his first 16 shots from 3-point range over that initial three-game stretch, Bane’s determination always overpowered any sense of discouragement.
“It’ll come around,” Bane assured. “With me, it always does. I just trust the work I’ve put in, and I know I’m building up my conditioning and getting everything back. My teammates and coaches believe in me, so I don’t really worry about any of that stuff.”
After rediscovering his comfort zone in Wednesday’s victory over the Sixers, Bane aims to build on his bounce-back performance when the Grizzlies (9-7) visit the Bulls (6-10) on Saturday. It was against Chicago last month when Bane delivered his best shooting effort of the season with 30 points in 31 minutes during a 126-123 home loss to the Bulls.
In that game, Bane shot 11-for-19 from the field overall and knocked down six 3-pointers. The following game against the Nets, Bane left midway through the contest with the oblique strain that sidelined him for the next two weeks.
The fifth-year veteran faces the Bulls again, this time coming off his second double-double in three games when he finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Wednesday’s 117-111 home win against the Sixers. No longer under time restrictions, Bane played 35 minutes, shot 5-for-11 from 3-point range and led the team in both rebounds and assists.
Bane’s up-and-down play has been a microcosm of Memphis’ season through the first 16 games. Prior to the breakthrough against the Sixers, Memphis was collectively mired in a shooting slump in which it went 29-for-119 (24.3-percent) on 3-pointers over three contests.
But the hope is Bane’s regained rhythm sets a tone in the Grizzlies’ quest for consistency.
“He came back and played his game – that’s who he is,” Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke said of Bane’s impact. “That’s how it is when you have (some off games). You come back and attack.”
Grizzlies coach Jenkins appreciated Bane’s approach in leading that attack by first being accountable. Behind the scenes, Bane tried to take responsibility for contributing to the team’s recent sluggish play. But there was immediate pushback from his teammates.
“His care factor is one of the best I’ve ever seen,” Jenkins said. “He took a lot of ownership, but the entire group was like, ‘Hey man, it’s on all of us.’ But he wears it. He was like, ‘I’ve been through this before. Can’t wait to bounce back.’ He had a big impact. He’s an engine for us.”
That engine is driving the Grizzlies at a time when there is limited depth in the backcourt because of injuries. With Ja Morant missing the last seven games with a hip injury, Memphis has been down to one traditional point guard in Scotty Pippen Jr. taking on more minutes.
Morant expects to take significant steps toward returning as he ramps up conditioning workouts over the weekend. The Grizzlies are also expecting to be without versatile guard Vince Williams Jr for a month after an MRI this week revealed he suffered a Grade 3 ankle sprain Sunday against Denver. In addition, veteran combo guard Marcus Smart has missed the past three games with an illness, but he could return as soon as Saturday against the Bulls.
In the meantime, Bane has helped fill in as a primary facilitator, a role he’s grown more accustomed over the past two seasons. When his shot is falling, Bane can dominate a game in multiple ways because of the attention he commands from the opposing defense.
When he drives into the lane, that pressure creates opportunities to find teammates for open shots. Even when those open shots weren’t falling, the Grizzlies were satisfied with their looks during the shooting slump. It was just a matter of time before the ball went through the nets.
“There’s going to be nights when we miss shots,” Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard acknowledged. “Shots weren’t falling, we were missing layups and open 3-pointers. But I think for us, we’ve got to hang our hat on defense and really lock in. That gets us going offensively, when we can get out and run and push the pace more. We shared the ball and made some shots. It felt good.”
The result was a season-high 19 made 3-pointers Wednesday for the Grizzlies, who one night earlier had missed 29 of their 38 attempts from beyond the arc in the loss to Denver.
“That’s the nature of this league,” Jenkins surmised as he pointed to the steady mindset and work habits of players such as Bane in helping the team push through. “He’s used his voice so much, on the floor, in the timeout huddles and even before the games.”
Bane’s voice and sheer will helped deliver the Grizzlies from their shooting woes.
They never lost confidence along the way.
Now, it’s time to collectively find some consistency.