Desmond Bane

Bane has proven that he can create with others through passing but was unexpectedly very active on the boards. He reached double-digits in rebounds for the fourth time in his career and second time this season. Bane's offense is still coming around, as he's been in an out of the lineup because of injuries so far this year.

Aldama led the Grizzlies in minutes as he came off the bench and played 33 minutes. He also led the team in scoring as he had 28 points on 19 shots and made four 3-pointers. Ja Morant is still out for Memphis, but Desmond Bane is back. Bane just had an off-night on Tuesday going 1-for-10 from the field and the team turned to Aldama. Unfortunately for Aldama, that isn't likely to continue and his role should be lessened once Bane is producing.

Bane struggled mightily going 1-of-10 from the field and 0-of-5 from behind the 3-point line. Bane returned from an oblique injury last Friday and hasn't reached 20 points in any of the three games he's played since. Bane will get up to speed shortly and will have plenty of opportunity with Ja Morant still out with a hip injury. Memphis plays in the second game of a back-to-back Wednesday against the 76ers.

Starting in his second game back from a strained oblique muscle, Bane recorded his first double-double of the season on Sunday. The Grizzlies are without Ja Morant (hip), who's week-to-week, and Marcus Smart sat out Sunday's win with an ankle injury. Those absences open things up for Bane from a playmaking standpoint, and his assist tally against the Nuggets was a season-high. Memphis plays three games in Week 5, beginning with the Nuggets again on Tuesday.

Bane will start Sunday's game against the Nuggets, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.