Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu Receives Technical Foul for Spiking Ball on Desmond Bane

The on-court rivalry between the two players continues to heat up.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:35am

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Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu received a technical foul for throwing the ball at Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane during a heated exchange in the third quarter of their NBA matchup. This incident comes after a previous altercation between the two players earlier in the season, where Bane was ejected for spiking the ball at Okongwu.

Why it matters

The growing rivalry between the Hawks and Magic, as well as the personal tension between Okongwu and Bane, highlights the intensity and competitiveness of NBA games. These types of incidents can impact the outcome of close games and raise questions about sportsmanship and player conduct.

The details

In the third quarter, Okongwu and Bane got tangled up under the basket, and as they fell to the floor, Okongwu tossed the ball at Bane, leading to the technical foul. Earlier this season, Bane was ejected for spiking the ball at Okongwu after a layup attempt. Okongwu has previously commented on the dislike between the two teams and Bane's frustration with his team's performance.

  • The incident occurred in the third quarter of the Hawks-Magic game on March 17, 2026.
  • In November, Bane was ejected for spiking the ball at Okongwu after a previous altercation.

The players

Onyeka Okongwu

A 25-year-old center for the Atlanta Hawks who is having a career-best season, averaging 15.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.

Desmond Bane

A 27-year-old guard for the Orlando Magic who was involved in a previous incident with Okongwu earlier in the season, leading to his ejection.

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What they’re saying

“We don't really like the Magic. They don't really like us, honestly.”

— Onyeka Okongwu (ClutchPoints)

“I can already tell that he's (Bane) frustrated over there. He's not having the best year. You know I'd be frustrated too if I were in the position that he was in over there.”

— Onyeka Okongwu (ClutchPoints)

What’s next

The NBA is likely to review the incident and determine if any further disciplinary action is warranted for either Okongwu or Bane.

The takeaway

The heated rivalry between the Hawks and Magic, as well as the personal tension between Okongwu and Bane, demonstrates the intense competitiveness and emotions that can arise during NBA games. While these types of incidents can be entertaining for fans, they also raise concerns about player conduct and sportsmanship, which the league will need to address.