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The NBA released its full 2025-26 regular season schedule Thursday, featuring two mid-January matchups that will see Desmond Bane face the Memphis Grizzlies for the first time since being traded to the Orlando Magic.
The first meeting will take place on January 15 at the Uber Arena in Berlin as part of the NBA’s international schedule. Three days later, the Magic and Grizzlies will meet again on January 18 at The O2 Arena in London. Both games will be televised on Prime.
Bane, 27, was traded to Orlando on Father’s Day in a blockbuster deal that sent Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four future first-round picks, and a 2029 first-round pick swap to the Grizzlies. Following the trade, Memphis bought out Anthony, who later signed a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The transaction ended Bane’s run as part of the Grizzlies’ core alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant, a trio once viewed as the foundation for a Western Conference contender. In a recent interview, Jackson said he was not surprised by Bane’s departure, noting that while losing a teammate can be difficult, the business side of the NBA often dictates such moves. He added that the trade marked the beginning of a new chapter for both himself and the franchise.
For those who just want a good old fashion schedule to look at pic.twitter.com/eOy9VY0Ou2
— Orlando Magic Guru. (@OMagicGuru) August 14, 2025
Bane is coming off a strong 2024-25 campaign in which he averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.4% from the field and 39.2% from three-point range in 69 appearances.
Desmond Bane’s January games vs. Grizzlies set to showcase trade’s impact on Magic
Last season, the Magic dropped both of their matchups against the Grizzlies, including a narrow 105-104 loss in February. Orlando will look to change that outcome this year with Bane now in their backcourt.
The Magic will open their season on October 22 at home against the Miami Heat, a reversal of last year’s opener when Orlando visited Miami. The Grizzlies will begin their campaign at home against the Detroit Pistons.
Bane’s addition to the Magic signals a push toward title contention. For the Grizzlies, the move marks a shift in roster construction, with Jackson stepping into a larger leadership role and the front office stockpiling future draft assets.
The January 18 game is expected to be a focal point of the midseason schedule for both teams, drawing attention from fans in Orlando and Memphis alike. It will mark not only Bane’s return to the city where he established himself as one of the league’s top two-way guards, but also a reunion with former teammates who helped define an era for the Grizzlies.
The January 15 game in Berlin and January 18 contest in London are expected to be among the highlights of the 2025-26 NBA schedule, offering fans in Europe and abroad a close look at how one of the offseason’s biggest trades has reshaped both teams.
