Jazz’s Jusuf Nurkic To Undergo Surgery, Miss Rest Of Season
Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic will undergo a surgical procedure on his nose on Tuesday and will miss the remainder of the season, NBA on Prime insider Chris Haynes tweets.
Nurkic has appeared in 41 games this season, including 36 starts. The 31-year-old big man is averaging 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 26.4 minutes per game.
Nurkic hasn’t played since the All-Star break. Earlier in the season, he missed time due to a toe injury and also had several DNP-CDs. He was a prime candidate to be dealt before the Feb. 5 trade deadline due his expiring $19.3MM contract.
The Jazz never found a suitable deal for him, so instead that money will come off their cap and Nurkic will be seeking a new opportunity as an unrestricted free agent. Utah is expected to have significant cap space this offseason to chase free agents and facilitate trades.
The Jazz raised eyebrows over the summer when they attached a second-round pick to Collin Sexton in a trade with Charlotte for Nurkic. However, Nurkic played a larger role than anticipated due to Walker Kessler‘s season-ending shoulder injury.
With Nurkic out of the picture, Kyle Filipowski, Kevin Love and Oscar Tshiebwe are the team’s options in the middle.
Spurs Add Emanuel Miller On Two-Way Deal, Waive Umude
The Spurs have signed forward Emanuel Miller to a two-way contract and waived two-way guard Stanley Umude, the team announced today in a press release.
Miller was acquired by the Cavaliers from the Bulls at the beginning of the month as part of the three-team deal that sent De’Andre Hunter to the Kings. Miller didn’t play for the Cavaliers before they waived him on Friday, but he didn’t have to wait long to hook on with another team.
A 6’5″ Canadian forward, Miller went undrafted in 2024 out of TCU. He made a total of 11 NBA appearances for the Bulls after initially signing a two-way contract with the team in December 2024. The 25-year-old has put up 18.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 2.3 APG in 27 G League games (33.7 MPG) this season for the Windy City Bulls and the Cleveland Charge.
Umude was signed by San Antonio in December but only appeared in two games with the Spurs this season. He’s played regularly for the Austin Spurs, seeing action in 31 NBAGL games. He’s averaged 18.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 1.5 APG in 34.8 MPG in those contests.
The 6’6″ swingman appeared in 47 NBA games prior to this season, including 22 with the Bucks last season. Prior to that, he played with the Pistons, averaging 5.3 points in 12.8 minutes per night during the 2023/24 season.
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Dejounte Murray Expected To Make Season Debut Tuesday
February 23: Murray believes he’ll make his season debut on Tuesday, Will Guillory of The Athletic tweets. New Orleans hosts Golden State tomorrow.
February 20: Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray has been sidelined since January 31, 2025 after rupturing his right Achilles tendon, but he’s close to returning to action. The one-time All-Star went through full practices on Wednesday and Thursday, writes Rod Walker of NOLA.com.
“He’s close,” interim head coach James Borrego said after Thursday’s practice. “I’d say in the next week, he’s back on the floor playing NBA games, which is amazing.”
Murray, whom the Pelicans acquired in the 2024 offseason in a trade with Atlanta, had a tough start to his tenure in New Orleans. He fractured his left hand in the team’s 2024/25 season opener, causing him to miss 17 games, then suffered the torn Achilles a few months later.
The 29-year-old made 31 appearances last season, averaging 17.5 points, 7.4 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 32.6 minutes per game. He struggled with his offensive efficiency, posting an underwhelming .393/.299/.823 shooting slash line.
Murray has been ruled out for Friday’s game vs. Milwaukee, but Borrego is optimistic about what the former All-Defensive guard will bring to the Pelicans when he makes his season debut.
“I’m expecting a lot from him,” Borrego said, per Walker. “He’s coming off a massive injury, but what I’ve seen has been encouraging. I look forward to watching him.”
Pippen Jr., Gardner Fined $35K Apiece For Altercation
Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and Heat forward Myron Gardner have each been fined $35K by the NBA for their roles in an on-court altercation, the league announced on Monday (Twitter link).
The scuffle occurred with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Heat’s 136-120 victory over the Grizzlies on Saturday. According to the league, Gardner initiated the incident by bumping Pippen from behind, causing the Memphis guard to fall to the floor. Pippen further escalated the altercation by forcefully shoving Gardner in response.
Several players and coaches quickly ran over, and Pippen and Gardner were eventually separated. Both players were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game.
“I thought it was kind of a cheap shot,” Pippen said to the media afterward. “He kind of hit me from when I didn’t see him. So I thought it was a soft move.”
The good news for both players is that they avoided suspensions.
Pacers Notes: Brown, Siakam, Haliburton, Carr, Zubac
Along with acquiring Ivica Zubac from the Clippers earlier this month, the Pacers added guard Kobe Brown in the deal. Brown was only averaging 8.7 minutes per game in L.A. but his playing time has skyrocketed with his new team.
Brown has appeared in five games, including one start, and is averaging 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in 26.4 minutes per contest. The 26-year-old had a season-high 15 points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes against Dallas on Sunday.
“This is a great chance for us to figure out as much as we can about him,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said, per Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “I like the things he’s doing. … When you get an opportunity like this, this is where you can really show what you can do.”
It’s a de facto audition for Brown, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Clippers declined their option on his 2026/27 contract prior to this season.
“For him he’s got to understand what we want him to do and where we need him to be,” forward Pascal Siakam said. “But I think he’s doing a great job of playing within whatever’s happening and not thinking about it. When you’re open, shoot it. Other than that, just play as hard as you can.”
Here’s more on the Pacers:
- Siakam scored 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 2-of-3 from three-point range, for his 11th 30-plus point performance of the season during the loss to the Mavs. He also notched eight rebounds and three assists and the Pacers were +7 in his 29 minutes, Dopirak notes. Siakam is dealing with a left hamstring issue but doesn’t want to be shut down, despite the team’s record and the franchise’s desire to get the best lottery odds possible. “Anyone that knows me knows that I want to play,” Siakam said. “I don’t want to sit around.”
- As if Tyrese Haliburton didn’t have enough to deal with as he worked his way back from an Achilles tendon tear, the star guard has been diagnosed with shingles, according to an ESPN report. He will be away from the team for a few weeks. “It’s a very painful thing,” Carlisle said. “… He will make a full recovery, but this happened over the last few days. He was meeting us in D.C. and had some odd symptoms, and he came back here. That’s what’s happening with him. We certainly wish him a speedy recovery. It’s a unique case and a unique situation, but I talked to him a few times, and he’s always in a good mood, so he’ll get through it.”
- Senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Carr is joining Darian DeVries‘ staff at Indiana University as executive director of basketball, according to Jeff Rabjohns of 247Sports.com. Carr, will report directly to DeVries, has been with the Pacers organization for 25 years. He has managed the team’s pre-draft preparation for more than a decade as well as its evaluations of all draft prospects. He’s a former IU manager.
- How will Zubac fit in with the Pacers? In a Forbes article, Tony East takes a closer look at Zubac’s potential impact, including his defensive prowess and willingness to set hard screens. Zubac has yet to make his Pacers debut due to an ankle injury.
Lakers Notes: Offseason Targets, LeBron, Riley, Ticket Prices
The Lakers‘ decision to stand pat at the trade deadline sets them up for an eventful summer, Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron states in a subscriber-only story. Even with Austin Reaves‘ $20.9MM cap hold (assuming he declines his player option and tests free agency), L.A. has about $47MM in projected cap space, along with the $9.4MM room mid-level exception. That number could be larger if Deandre Ayton ($8.1MM) and Marcus Smart ($5.4MM) decline their player options.
Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo would be the Lakers’ dream offseason move, but Gozlan is skeptical that they can put together a competitive offer unless Antetokounmpo demands to be dealt to L.A. The team can only trade three future first-round picks this summer, and Gozlan doesn’t believe they can compete with other suitors even if Reaves is included in a sign-and-trade deal.
Gozlan lists numerous potential targets, including Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, who may be too expensive to keep if Denver can’t cut salary elsewhere. Gozlan suggests that Cameron Johnson might become expendable, and the Lakers could have some interest if draft compensation is included.
Gozlan cites center Jalen Duren as another possibility if the Pistons don’t want to meet his salary demands after a breakout season. Gozlan states that it would take an aggressive offer sheet approaching Duren’s annual max salary of $44.6MM to give the Lakers a chance to sign him.
Kawhi Leonard is also worth watching if the NBA decides to void his contract over the Aspiration scandal, Gozlan adds. If the league were to ban Leonard from playing for the Clippers, the Lakers could create enough room to absorb his $50.3MM contract for next season into their cap space while giving their cross-town rivals draft picks and cap relief, Gozlan notes.
There’s more on the Lakers:
- LeBron James, who has a $52.6MM expiring contract, will be fascinating to watch this summer, Gozlan adds. There has been speculation that he will return to Cleveland to finish his career, but the Cavaliers are projected to be over the second apron again next season and are severely limited in what they can offer. They could clear enough space to use the $6.1MM taxpayer mid-level exception, but Gozlan notes that would only be $2.2MM more than James could earn on a veteran’s minimum deal and he might prefer that the Cavs not weaken their roster with an unnecessary trade. Gozlan suggests a two-year, $8MM agreement that includes a player option and a no-trade clause, pointing out that James would count for a full $3.9MM cap hit if he signs for two seasons, but only $2.5MM if his next contract covers just one year.
- The Lakers honored Pat Riley with a statue unveiling on Sunday, but their performance couldn’t match his fiery tone during a speech to the crowd, notes Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register (subscription required). Coach JJ Redick called his team “just awful offensively” in the 111-89 loss.
- A steep hike in season ticket prices is being planned for next season, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. The increase comes after Mark Walter agreed to a $10 billion valuation in his purchase of the team.
Dillon Brooks Expected To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Broken Left Hand
FEBRUARY 23: Brooks is projected to miss four-to-six weeks with the injury, sources tell Charania (Twitter link).
FEBRUARY 21: Suns forward Dillon Brooks left Saturday’s game with a broken left hand, sources tell ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link). Team doctors will meet soon to determine how long Brooks is expected to be sidelined, Charania adds.
The injury occurred midway through the first quarter when Brooks took a jump shot that was contested by Orlando center Wendell Carter Jr., according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Carter appeared to make contact with Brooks’ non-shooting hand, and Brooks grabbed it after the play.
He left the game with 4:46 remaining in the quarter and didn’t return. Ryan Dunn replaced him in the starting lineup for the second half.
Acquired from Houston over the summer as part of the Kevin Durant trade, Brooks has been a vital part of the turnaround in Phoenix with his play on the court and his effect on the team’s culture.
Coming into today, Brooks was averaging a career-high 21.2 points, along with 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists through 49 games with .441/.343/.856 shooting numbers. He has also brought toughness to a team that lacked it last year, along with a feisty attitude that recently resulted in a one-game suspension for picking up his 16th technical foul of the season.
It’s a rough blow for a 33-24 Phoenix team that’s solidly in the race for a top-six finish in the West, which would mean a guaranteed playoff spot. The Suns announced earlier today that star guard Devin Booker will miss at least a week with a right hip strain, and Jordan Goodwin also left Saturday’s game with a calf injury, Rankin tweets.
Hornets Notes: Ball, Bridges, Diabate, White, Knueppel
LaMelo Ball has been a polarizing figure throughout his career, with critics arguing that his flashy style will never lead to winning basketball. That may be changing as Ball is showing signs of maturity in his sixth NBA season, including an efficient 37-point performance on Sunday as the Hornets defeated Washington, Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer writes in a subscriber-only story. Ball explained that he was “finding the best looks” rather than forcing the offense, which is just what coach Charles Lee wants to hear.
“I love it,” Lee said. “I think it just shows the continued growth and maturity that he’s proven all year. He has helped impact winning in a lot of different ways. It’s been his defensive activity. It’s been moments like that where he’s able to just keep making the right play no matter if he’s got it going, no matter if somebody else has got it going. He just has a better feel for the game. I feel like this year he’s trusting his teammates (more). I’m really proud of him for how he kind of handled himself and had the hot hand maturity in that moment.”
Ball has more weapons to work with this season with Brandon Miller healthy and Kon Knueppel in the midst of an outstanding rookie season. Ball’s percentages (40.1% from the floor and 36.7% from three-point range) haven’t changed much from his career averages, but he’s been shooting less frequently and making a greater effort to set up his teammates.
There’s more on the Hornets:
- The team is looking forward to bringing back Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate for Tuesday’s game at Chicago, Boone states in the same piece. Both players were given four-game suspensions for their roles in a February 9 fight against Detroit, forcing Grant Williams and Ryan Kalkbrenner into the starting lineup. “It’ll be very nice to get two very good players back into the lineup,” Lee said. “But I’m also really proud of the guys that stepped up in their absence and gave us some really big minutes.”
- Coby White hasn’t played since being acquired at the trade deadline, but the team is hopeful that he can return from a left calf strain during the current road trip, Boone adds. There’s a chance his Hornets debut could happen in Chicago, where White spent his first six-plus NBA seasons. “I guess the update would be that he’s made some great strides,” Lee said. “He’s been able to go through some contact portions of practice and during his rehab sessions. As long as he can continue to show up every day after a little bit more intensity on the court and the evaluations go well, he’s getting closer to being able to play.”
- Knueppel was surprised to learn that former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg spent $7,000 on a collection of his trading cards over the weekend (Twitter link). “He called me and I didn’t really realize … Like I’m not big into that stuff, so he was showing me the cards,” Knueppel told Boone. “… I didn’t realize cards were doing what they’re doing now, so I guess I’m not tapped in.”
Warriors Notes: Podziemski, Porzingis, Moody, Curry
The Warriors have needed contributions throughout the roster while their stars are sidelined, and Brandin Podziemski delivered in a big way on Sunday, writes Nick Friedell of The Athletic. With Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis all unavailable, Podziemski took over in the fourth quarter against Denver, posting 15 points and eight rebounds in the final 12 minutes while making all six of his shot attempts.
“Everything feels slow motion, kind of,” he said. “I think those last two threes that I shot, everything felt so slow … the goal is to always try to find that. The great players do that. That’s really what it felt like.”
Podziemski’s outburst, which came after he missed nine of his first 10 shots, summarized his overall season. The third-year guard has seen his minutes fluctuate and he’s been a frequent target of online criticism from the Warriors’ fan base, but he’s become a reliable scorer while Curry has been injured, reaching double figures in the past five games.
“It’s been up and down for sure,” coach Steve Kerr said. “But our season has been up and down as a whole, and sometimes a team’s struggles impacts the individuals. But we know what he can do — for the last couple years, he’s been one of our highest plus/minus players. He’s a very versatile player. The rebounding is what attracted us to him in the first place, coming out of Santa Clara. When a guy rebounds like that, you know he has great anticipation.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Golden State is receiving its first taste of the Porzingis experience as he was a late scratch on Sunday, states Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. Kerr was counting on Porzingis to help neutralize Nikola Jokic, but an illness kept him out of action and Green was ruled out about 20 minutes before tip-off with lower back soreness. Porzingis, who was acquired from Atlanta at the trade deadline, has been a highly skilled big man throughout his career, but his availability has been limited due to physical issues so Poole suggests Kerr may have to get used to making lineup adjustments. “I haven’t talked to him,” Kerr said in his pregame meeting with reporters. “Just got a text this morning that he was sick and at the hotel, and he’s not even going to come over here. He’s pretty sick.”
- The Warriors have benefited from the improved play of Moses Moody, who contributed 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists on Sunday, per Joaquin Ruiz of NBC Sports Bay Area. Already one of the team’s top perimeter defenders, Moody has been providing more scoring of late, averaging 13.1 PPG since the start of January. “Moses has been brilliant for six weeks,” Kerr said. “You know, he’s shooting the lights out … the confidence; he’s maybe been our most consistent performer. His on-ball defense; he’s top of the league against pick-and-roll. And he’s such a great teammate. He’s there for you every night, the way he works.”
- Curry, who hasn’t played since January 30 due to “runner’s knee,” said the injury has been especially frustrating because there’s still no definite timeline for him to return, relays Ron Kroichick of The San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required). He’s set to be reevaluated on March 1, so that means at least another week without playing. “We all know the goal is to be healthy come play-in or playoff time, whatever it is,” Curry said. “We kind of know where we’re slotted in the standings right now. A lot has happened this year, so we just want to get in a playoff series and have a chance.”