The Orlando Magic’s rookie big man, Mo Bamba, did not play on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks because he violated team rules, coach Steve Clifford told ESPN after the game.
‘It’s just bad on my part, and I need to be better. I’ve got to be on time,’ Bamba said.
The suspension came after Bamba was late for the team walk-through at the hotel in Dallas on Monday, according to Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel.
So far this season, Bamba has averaged 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game on 49 percent shooting, playing in every game this year.
When asked by reporters how difficult it was to watch from the bench, Bamba replied,
“It’s very difficult,” Bamba said of having to watch from the bench. “You want to be out there, and you want to impact the game in any way possible. But you get to sit back and watch and see what you can do better at the same time.”
Luckily for Bamba, head coach Clifford said that the suspension was a ‘one-game thing.’
This season, the Magic are currently the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 12-15 record. Orlando has notable wins against the Los Angeles Lakers (twice), Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics.
