Desmond Bane Leads Memphis Grizzlies Past Minnesota Timberwolves in 1st Round of NBA Playoffs
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/MTg5MTU4NTQxMDkxNjc3OTc2/usatsi_18178110.jpg)
While Grizzlies All-World Super Star Ja Morant struggled to find buckets against the Timberwolves, Boston Celtics TCU legend Desmond Bane was pouring them in and breaking franchise records night after night.
Bane led the Grizzlies in the Round 1 playoff series victory, averaging 23.5 points per game while leading the NBA postseason with 27 3-pointers made while shooting 48.2% from behind the arc in Round 1.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 25.2 points per game.
After a somewhat slow start to the series in Games 1 and 2, Bane caught fire in Game 3, breaking the Grizzlies franchise record for most 3's made in a playoff game while dropping a game high 26 points.
All 7 threes made by Desmond Bane in Grizzlies vs Timberwolves Game 3 NBA Playoffs + quick commentary @myguyknowsaguy
β Frenzy Sports NBA (@frenzynba) April 22, 2022
NBA props boss pic.twitter.com/rJ71jgGEHm
That record would stand for one game, as Bane broke his own record with eight three pointers in the next game. In Game 4, Bane would shoot a ridiculous 8-12 (66.7%) from behind the arc while finishing with a game high 34 points.
Desmond Bane set the @memgrizz playoff record with 8 threes tonight.
β NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2022
He was throwing darts until the final whistle. pic.twitter.com/y3HksA0LEY
.@DBane0625 is now 1 of 3 players in NBA history to make 7+ threes in back to back playoff games π₯ pic.twitter.com/dG99z5W0ja
β Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) April 24, 2022
His joined Steph Curry and Klay Thompson as the only three players in NBA history to make 7+ three pointers in back-to-back playoff games.
In the Grizzlies Game 5 victory, Bane would once again lead the charge through the first 3 quarters of play, dropping 25 points and playing exceptional defense (two steals, three blocks) to tee up the 4th quarter heroics of Ja Morant.
Headlined by his iconic poster dunk and acrobatic game-winning layup, Ja Morant dropped 24 points in the 2nd half of Game 5 to help the @memgrizz take a 3-2 series lead!
β NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2022
GAME 6 - Tonight at 9pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/dTTp030h7x
In the Game 6 clincher. Bane continued hurling fireballs, shooting 5-9 55.6%) from downtown, including this late dagger to give the Grizzlies the lead for the first time in the second half.
DESMOND BANE FOR THE LEAD π―
β Deep Hoops (@deep_hoops) April 30, 2022
via @NBATV pic.twitter.com/AD0ZW1L1gB
In his postgame interview Ja Morant said it all.
Ja Morant praises Desmond Bane for his fantastic series.
β NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2022
Bane: 23.5 PPG, 4.5 3PM on 48.2% pic.twitter.com/Gnt7f2loSA
In a playoff series with superstars Ja Morant, Karl Anthony Towns, and Anthony Edwards on the court, Desmond Bane was the series MVP. His +/- for the series was an outrageous +70. Brandon Clarke had the next best +/- for the Grizzlies at +35.
Desmond Bane in the first round:
β NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 30, 2022
23.5 PPG
4.3 RPG
49.5% FG
48.2% 3PT
90.0% FT
Absolute bucket πͺ£ @DBane0625 pic.twitter.com/C174eqiNFw
In a regular season which saw Bane set the Grizzlies season franchise record for 3-pointers made with 211, lead the league in 3-point %, make King James cry, and be gifted the Most Improved Player award from his teammate Ja Morant, Bane continues to elevate his game in the playoffs.
Desmond Bane led the LEAGUE with the highest 3 Point % during the regular season (>500 trip atpts). Looking back on his 2 year career, he has easily established himself as one of the best up&coming shooter. Bane has a bright future ahead of him!πγ½οΈ @WorldWideWob @memgrizz pic.twitter.com/dPEfIjjBQJ
β Willis Orr (@WillisMemphis) April 26, 2022
Memphis Grizzlies standout guard Desmond Bane (@DBane0625) joins Posted Up with C. Haynes Pod to talk about everything that went down during teamβs 11-game winning streak. Including, his verbal spat with LeBron James.
β Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 19, 2022
π§: https://t.co/05RJM8X08L
π₯: https://t.co/pmDqnbK4UF pic.twitter.com/TSS0p2xUzB
Desmond Bane's reaction to Ja Morant giving him the Most Improved Player award π pic.twitter.com/kVJtutGpbr
β ESPN (@espn) April 26, 2022
Bane and the Grizzlies have a quick turnaround for round 2, facing the Golden State Warriors Sunday at 2:30c in Memphis on ABC.
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