Thunder rookie Josh Giddey will miss at least two more weeks due to hip soreness, head coach Mark Daigneault said, according to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman (Twitter link). Giddey has missed the team’s last four games, but Daigneault still hopes the 19-year-old can return at some point this season.
“We’re trying to balance development but also being cautious and being wise… We’re learn a lot more in a couple weeks here,” he said, as relayed by Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire (Twitter link). “See how he responds with the treatment he’s getting now.”
In 54 games this season, Giddey has averaged 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists, shooting 41.9% from the floor and 26.3% from deep. Oklahoma City is 20-43 and will likely give more playing time to Tre Mann, Theo Maledon and others in his absence.
Here are some other notes from the Western Conference:
- In his latest article for Substack, Marc Stein cites one league source who believes it’s “impossible” that the Lakers bring back Russell Westbrook next season due to current tension levels. Los Angeles ranks ninth in the Western Conference (27-35) and has lost eight of its last 10 games. Westbrook has averaged 18.1 points per game on 43.3% shooting from the floor, which is slightly below his career average.
- Pelicans star Zion Williamson will rejoin the team when it returns from its road trip next week, Andrew Lopez of ESPN tweets. New Orleans will play Denver on Sunday and Memphis on Tuesday. Williamson is progressing to full-weight bearing activities and his future timetable remains unclear.
- Despite being a rookie, Pelicans forward Herbert Jones already appears to be one of the NBA’s best defenders, Christian Clark of NOLA.com opines. Jones’ defense was a major reason why Jazz star Donovan Mitchell scored just 14 points on 5-for-18 shooting on Friday, with the Pelicans winning by 34. “Herb, you just expect it from him almost,” head coach Willie Green said. “That’s what he does. He doesn’t say much. He just goes out and does his work. What he’s doing, we don’t take for granted. It’s hard to guard the best player every single night.”
Luxury tax trade away!
Is Westbrook career over?
Who is going to sign Westbrook after next season?
Rockets are the only team like him?
The smartest trade idea ever
John Wall has the biggest negative trade value in the nba history. Rockets were trying to trade him for Lakers 2027 unprotected first round pick
All rookie first team
Cade Giddey Wagner Barnes Mobley
Second team
Ayo Green Duarte Jones Sengun
With Mobley getting ROTY
Cade is ROTY with Barnes a close second. Mobley is fading.
Disagree, Mobley 1, Barnes 2 and Giddey 3 then Cade 4
Lol!!!
You are entitled to your opinion. But lol!!!!
Cade wins it. But that’s a nice top 5. All will be all stars.
This draft did not disappoint.
I think the fact Barnes and Mobley are both playing an important role on a playoff team means a lot and that gives them the edge.
NBA.com in there last pole had Mobley 1, Barnes 2 and Cade 3.
One question to Lakers fans
Why did Lakers spend $23 million (tax included) to sign K Nunn?
Nunn might start the season in April and end the season in April
Yeah, at first, I was wondering how they got him so cheap, but apparently now I see why. Other teams must have shied away from Nunn, because of his medicals.
At first though, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why no one offered him a better deal. He was pretty solid with Miami, especially when they gave him regular minutes on a consistent basis.
I guess the Lakers took the gamble, likely figuring they could wait him out getting healthy, and then hed be like a deadline/buy out acquisition giving them a boost for the latter part of the season..Then again, they very well might have thought he would come back alot earlier than he is.
One thing is for sure, they certainly weren’t paying that extra money for him to hardly play at all..
Just what a terrible set of decisions for LeBron and Pelinka…The only decent decision they made was Monk and Carmelo, every other one crashed and burned…
They could have had Derozan AND Caruso, and they wouldn’t have to he dealing with all this turmoil and disappointment..Instead LeBron wanted Westbrook…I’m betting he regrets that choice every night now while he sips his wine in bed…lol
They traded for Westbrook so they couldn’t have signed those guys without sending guys away in a sign and trade
Marc Stein failed to mention that the Lakers will need to buy out Westbrook. No team is going to trade for him unless they get way more than just Westbrook back. lakers will be a better team without Westbrook.
Doubt Russ takes a buyout for less than 40 million
They can just give him the John Wall treatment and pay him $47 million to stay away from the team.
Honestly a very sad situation. Russ left his home in OKC to chase a ring and he got shipped out of Houston then shipped out of Washington just to end up on a team with Lebron and AD and it’s been nothing short of disastrous. You can see it in his interviews. He knows everyone is clowning him and throwing every ounce of the Lakers short comings onto him. Not saying that’s unearned, but you can tell it’s eating him alive
It is Bonercats, I liken him to a shelter dog right now, he’s shook and you can see it beyond the eyes
You can’t think playing professional basketball ,that’s for practice, the pace is just way too fast.
He’s thinking every second of every game
Not that I care. But I don’t see how Stern can Let that happen. Basically tanking by not playing him. That ain’t right for Pistons, Magic, Thunder, Pacers, Kings.
I mean, David Stern is currently decomposing in a coffin underground, so I’m not sure he’ll be able to do much if that situation does arise. Adam Silver, however, is currently above ground and fully composed.
Stern is actually doing more than Silver. Considering he mentored him. I don’t see how PA let’s it happen either. Their stock and brand is being affected. I’m surprised this bothers nobody.
I am bothered, by Stern’s alleged activity.
Herb Jones everytime til I light my spliff
dittlez
Next year Westy will return. Given the options, players will get over whatever tension is going on.
The fans are impossible, if anyone is.
Herb Jones is one of the best ‘gets’ in the league, considering his salary.
Westbrook has totally been thrown under the bus but it is not all his fault. He made some good passes last night. Lebron had a great game. Maybe this is the start of something. Nobody gives brittle day to day AD a hard time. The Lakers Mortgaged their future for him.
At his best, RW goes where he wants to, fast, and is a great rebounder. Why he keeps shooting low % shots, IDK.