Desmond Bane’s hunt for the perfect sneaker to best aid him in his return to the court took him to an uncomfortable place.

The Grizzlies guard suffered a Grade 2 sprain in his right big toe against the Timberwolves in November and a second injury to the sesamoid, a small bone in the joint of the big toe that will likely need surgery over the summer.

Bane knew he would have to play through the pain for the rest of the season and that he would have to wear Nike, due to his shoe deal.

The best prescribed sneaker?

The LeBron XX, the signature sneaker of Bane’s rival — and first-round NBA playoff opponent — LeBron James.

James and Bane have a testy history, and Bane was at a loss for words at first about the awkward situation.

“Nah. I mean, nah, I [wasn’t],” Bane said in an ESPN story published on Wednesday. The Grizzlies star wore Paul George’s signature PG6 sneakers this season and Kyrie Irving’s footwear previously. “But you know, I got to leave my pride to the side and do what’s best for my body and my career.”

James called out Bane for “talking sh-t” during a 129-119 Grizzlies win last season, which sparked a loud scene in Crypto.com Arena.

“That’s your last time,” James yelled at Bane. “That’s your last motherf–king time. That’s your last time disrespecting me.”

Since his return, Bane has sported the LeBron XXs, including while facing James himself — breaking an unwritten rule about wearing an opponent’s signature shoe while playing against them.

Bane worn a pair that commemorated James’ time with the Heat, and the Lakers star, who was wearing  a bright orange-and-blue pair of his NXXT Gen model, approached, glancing at his feet and asking if he needed any other pairs.

Since the confrontation last year, two seem cordial even while facing each other in the fight to make playoff run to the championship.

“I felt like it was love, for sure,” Bane said. “We moved on. I think we separated and settled our differences.”

After a 128-112 Game 1 win by the Lakers, James confirmed his offer to assist Bane was genuine.

“Respect. Respect,” James told ESPN. “I joked about it a few years ago, like, if a guy’s wearing my sneakers I’m going to have to bust your ass and s–t. Like, I’m not even in that type of energy no more, that type of space. I just think that’s super dope. And I got to send some more to him now.

“I got to make sure he’s a LeBron athlete now.”

The pair will face off in Game 2 on Wednesday, in which Bane’s teammate Ja Morant’s availability will be a game-time decision.