The Kia Center in downtown Orlando used to be home to Philadelphia 76ers center Mo Bamba.
On Wednesday, he’ll make his return to the Orlando Magic’s home court but as a member of the other team for the first time.
While Bamba’s time with the Magic ended with him getting traded at the deadline last season, he doesn’t share any hard feelings toward his former organization.
In fact, he’s embracing the return.
“That’s family over there,” Bamba told reporters this week, according to Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin. “All those guys. I’m probably going to stop by Jalen Suggs’s mom’s house tomorrow (Tuesday) just to kick it or whatever, but that’s family. Cole, Wendell, Kelle, those are guys that I grew up with in the league and this is my first chance to actually play against them. We played them in LA when I was in LA, I was hurt, but it’s gonna be fun.”
Last season, Bamba played for a non-Magic NBA team for the first time on February 15. A little over a month later, Bamba would’ve had an opportunity to face the Magic for the first time in his career had it not been for an injury. Unfortunately, a 15-game absence took away that chance.
Wednesday’s game between the Sixers and the Magic will offer a better-late-than-never scenario for Bamba — and the circumstances are ideal for the center, who should get an opportunity to play more minutes than usual.
When the Sixers are fully healthy, Bamba’s typically a third-string center behind Joel Embiid and Paul Reed. As a result, he’s picked up 12 DNPs throughout the year. When the Sixers face the Magic on Wednesday night, they’ll be down a center as Joel Embiid has been ruled out again.
On Monday, the Sixers rolled without Embiid against the Miami Heat. Bamba checked in off the bench and played a season-high 25 minutes. During that time, he scored 18 points while grabbing six rebounds. Considering he was able to produce in Philly’s six-point loss against the Heat, Bamba should have an opportunity to gain above-average minutes in their follow-up outing on Wednesday.
This season has been a battle to get back on the NBA’s radar for Bamba. After he entered the NBA as a sixth-overall pick out of Texas University, where he starred as a former five-star center, Bamba had a hard time solidifying a sure role in the big league.
In five seasons, Bamba appeared in 266 games with the Magic. He started in 81 of those outings. Through his fifth season, the veteran center was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers. The stint out in LA lasted nine games. After averaging ten minutes off the bench with the Lakers, Bamba hit the free agency market, landing a one-year deal with the 76ers.
Playing time has been inconsistent in Philadelphia, but Bamba is making the most of his limited opportunities when they arrive. Wednesday’s matchup in a familiar place offers yet another great chance for Bamba to prove he deserves a shot in the rotation.
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