Mobile Menu
HEADLINES

Sixers Notes: Yabusele, George, Dowtin, McCain

November 11th, 2024 at 10:51am CST by Arthur Hill

The offseason signing of Guerschon Yabusele after his stellar performance at the Summer Olympics has been one of the few positives so far for the Sixers, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Yabusele has been a steady presence amid a frustrating 2-7 start marked by the absence of star players. He posted career highs with 20 points and eight rebounds as Philadelphia snapped a five-game losing streak on Sunday night.

“He’s played pretty good almost in every game, right?” coach Nick Nurse said. “He’s finding enough perimeter shots and making enough. He doesn’t make a ton of mistakes, which is huge for us right now. Again, he’s going to get the ball to somebody if he’s in the offense to keep the offense moving. He’ll play really hard, but he’s been good.”

Yabusele became a star in Europe after leaving the NBA in 2019 following two seasons with Boston. He got offers to return in August after helping France reach the Olympic gold medal game and decided to accept a one-year, minimum-salary deal with Philadelphia. Now he’s determined to prove he belongs in the league.

“You know, I am just trying to do my best over here,” he said. “I’m trying to help the team as much as I can. As far as right now, I’m trying not to really focus on myself and try to get a win.”

There’s more on the Sixers:

  • Paul George was upset that his minutes restriction prevented him from being on the court for overtime in Sunday’s game, Pompey states in a separate story. It was just the fourth game for George since returning from a bone bruise in his left knee, and the medical staff is limiting his playing time to reduce the risk of further injury. “I was completely frustrated, you know, just the way this game was going,” he said. “You know I wanted to be out there for the guys with that commitment to try to win the game, especially when you are home. You get on the good side. Luckily, my guys had me.”
  • Jeff Dowtin is trying to prove he’s worthy of a larger role while Tyrese Maxey is sidelined, Pompey adds in another piece. The two-way guard had 11 points, two rebounds and a steal in 23 minutes off the bench on Sunday.
  • Yabusele, Dowtin and rookie Jared McCain helped seal the victory, and Nurse indicated that they’re likely to get more opportunities as the season wears on, per Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. They combined for 58 points as Nurse shook up his normal rotation. “You start the season, and you’re going to give those veteran guys the first cracks at stuff,” he said. “That’s the way I’m going to do it, until you think that maybe it’s, OK, you’ve given them a couple shots here and there, and you’re not exactly where it wants to be. So then you’re going with some younger guys. I think that was part of the decision.”
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Northwest Notes: Billups, Trail Blazers, Holmgren, Nix

November 11th, 2024 at 9:42am CST by Arthur Hill

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups tore into his team for failing to be competitive in Sunday’s loss to Memphis, writes Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report. Portland lost by 45 points while playing at home against a Grizzlies squad that was missing Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Billups told reporters that he has no plans to rewatch the game, then criticized his players for their lackluster effort.

“We were soft as hell the whole game,” he said. “Nobody really fought. It was just embarrassing. That’s just not who we are. There’s no excuse for that. You have a lot of rough nights in this league, obviously. But I don’t even care. This wasn’t even that. Guys showed up because they had to be here but they didn’t want to play. They didn’t want to actually work. That’s embarrassing. It’s unfortunate that we had to go out there in front of our fans that paid their hard-earned money to come see their favorite team play. And you show up and do that. It was embarrassing.”

The poor performance and Billups’ reaction raise questions about how much longer he’ll be with the organization, Highkin adds. Billups is already considered likely to be replaced after the season ends, but Highkin suggests that more outings like Sunday’s may force general manager Joe Cronin to make a coaching change before the spring.

In addition to criticizing his players, Billups accepted part of the blame for what happened.

“We’ve lost by more points than this,” he said. “But it’s how. We’re laying down and caving in. At the end of the day, that’s on me. I’m the leader in this. This is our team, but I’m the head of this. I take that very personally. I don’t have one bone of that in my body. That’s on me. I’ve got to be better. I’ll have them a little more prepared next time.”

There’s more from the Northwest Division:

  • The Trail Blazers are likely to be active on the trade market before the February 6 deadline, Highkin adds in a separate story. He expects Robert Williams III to be in demand if he stays healthy, considering the number of teams that need help at center. Highkin also believes contenders will keep calling about Jerami Grant and Matisse Thybulle, but he considers Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons less likely to be moved.
  • After suffering a right iliac wing fracture on Sunday that will sideline him for at least eight-to-10 weeks, Thunder big man Chet Holmgren shared his thoughts on the injury (Twitter link). “Can’t tell if I feel better or worse about this having been through something similar before,” he wrote. “On one hand I know how to approach it, I know what to do, what not to do and how beautiful the other side is. But on the other hand I’ve felt the frustration of this process, and the wear it puts on your mind. Most of all I’m hurt I can’t help my teammates and play for our fans and supporters for a while. Everyone who sticks with me and our team, along with my need for hoops, is a big part of my passion to return. Don’t pity me or feel bad, there’s lots of people out there right now with real problems that don’t heal. Anyways excuse my rambling just wanted to address our OKC fans and family.”
  • Daishen Nix, who signed a two-way contract with the Timberwolves this summer, had a huge game for the G League Iowa Wolves on Saturday. He posted 45 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and capped off the night with a game-clinching steal and assist (Twitter video link from Charlie Walton).
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Ausar Thompson Cleared To Return

November 11th, 2024 at 8:29am CST by Arthur Hill

Pistons swingman Ausar Thompson has received medical clearance from the NBA’s Fitness-To-Play Panel, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).

Thompson has been sidelined since March when doctors discovered he had a blood clot. He will begin participating in full-contact practices and is expected to make his season debut soon, Charania adds.

Thompson’s return date will depend on his level of conditioning, a source tells Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press (Twitter link).

Thompson, the No. 5 pick in the 2023 draft, was a part-time starter during his rookie season, making 38 starts in 63 games and averaging 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25.1 minutes per night. He was one of Detroit’s best defensive players, although he struggled with his outside shot, connecting at just 18.6% from three-point range.

Thompson has been working closely with new Pistons shooting coach Fred Vinson while he was sidelined, Sankofa adds (Twitter link). Sankofa suggests that Isaiah Stewart could spend more time spotting up for threes whenever he and Thompson are on the court together.

Thompson sat out the last 19 games of his rookie year and has missed 11 so far this season, Sankofa adds in a full story. He was permitted to participate in conditioning and non-contact drills while the Fitness-To-Play Panel reviewed his case.

“Ever since what happened, happened, I’ve been working out and have slowly progressed the workouts to be harder and harder,” Thompson said at media day. “Right now I feel great, I feel perfectly fine.” 

Detroit recently picked up the 2025/26 options for Thompson and three other members of last season’s rookie class. He will become eligible for a rookie scale extension in the summer of 2026.

Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Lakers Notes: Davis, LeBron, Reddish, Knecht

November 11th, 2024 at 8:01am CST by Arthur Hill

Lakers star Anthony Davis will visit an ophthalmologist today after getting poked in his left eye during Sunday’s game, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link). Sources tell McMenamin that Davis experienced swelling in the eye and had difficulty keeping it open. He wasn’t able to return to the game, but the appointment is considered “precautionary,” McMenamin adds.

The play occurred in the third quarter when Davis blocked a dunk attempt by Toronto center Jakob Poeltl, writes Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times. As they met at the rim, Davis was inadvertently hit in the eye and fell to the court. Coach J.J. Redick told reporters that Davis was experiencing issues with his vision after the incident.

“I just know that he got poked in it,” Redick said. “He was having trouble seeing. Obviously taking a little bit of trauma to the eye, it takes a little bit of time to get your clear vision back. But other than that, no update.”

There’s more from Los Angeles:

  • LeBron James posted 19 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds Sunday night, making him oldest player in NBA history with triple-doubles in back-to-back games, McMenamin adds (Twitter link). With his 40th birthday approaching next month, James talked about the effort that goes into remaining one of the league’s top players. “It’s pretty cool that with the amount of miles I’ve put on the tires, lack of tread on these tires, and I’m still able to get up and down the highway and do it at a high level,” James said. “I just try to give everything to the game outside of the game before the game even starts, if that makes sense. I arrive here four to five hours before the game, and I’m already doing all the things to put me in position to be the best I can be when the fans are here and the ball is tipped and everybody’s going crazy.” James added that he “won’t do it until the wheels fall off, I’ll tell you that.”
  • Redick is impressed by the way Cam Reddish has adapted his game for the good of the team, per Khobi Price of The Orange County Register. Reddish made his second straight start on Sunday night, and he appears comfortable in that role. “You just kind of have to have a long-term view and really embrace the things required for that specific team to get on the floor,” Redick said. “And for us, having a defensive presence guarding the primary matchup, primary scorer, those are the things that we need Cam to do. I told him early in preseason, I said, ‘look, we’re going to figure out the offensive part of it and where we can have you feel like you have a role there. But full stop for you to get on the floor, it has to be on the defensive end.’ And over the last week, he’s really embraced that.”
  • Dalton Knecht hasn’t lost his confidence despite a rough start to his NBA career, Price adds. The first-round pick is a three-point shooting specialist, but he’s connecting at just 27.8% from beyond the arc in his first nine games. “I’m not speaking for him, but I think for shooters, it’s hard mentally when you get off to a slow start shooting the ball,” Redick said. “It can kind of weigh on you. I’ve talked to him about it, he believes the next shot’s going in every single time. And so do I.”
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Chet Holmgren Expected To Miss At Least 8-10 Weeks

November 11th, 2024 at 5:34am CST by Luke Adams

Thunder big man Chet Holmgren has been diagnosed with a right iliac wing fracture after taking a hard fall during the first quarter of the team’s loss to Golden State on Sunday (video link), Oklahoma City announced in a press release (Twitter link via Rylan Stiles of SI.com). An iliac wing fracture is a form of pelvic fracture.

While the Thunder say Holmgren is expected to return to action later in the 2024/25 season, he’ll be out for an extended period. The plan is to reevaluate him in eight-to-10 weeks, per the club.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft, Holmgren missed his entire rookie season due to a foot injury, then appeared in all 82 regular season games in 2023/24.

“Can’t tell if I feel better or worse about this, having been through something similar before,” Holmgren wrote on Twitter. “On one hand I know how to approach it, I know what to do, what not to do and how beautiful the other side is. But on the other hand I’ve felt the frustration of this process, and the wear it puts on your mind.

“Most of all I’m hurt I can’t help my teammates and play for our fans and supporters for a while. Everyone who sticks with me and our team, along with my need for hoops, is a big part of my passion to return. Don’t pity me or feel bad, there’s lots of people out there right now with real problems that don’t heal.”

Holmgren’s injury is a tough blow to a Thunder team that entered the season as the favorite to be the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed and had lived up to expectations this fall, winning eight of its first nine games before falling to the Warriors on Sunday.

Holmgren, last year’s Rookie of the Year runner-up, had been a key part of that early success, averaging 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game across nine outings, with a .519/.400/.776 shooting line.

The Thunder signed center Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency over the summer to bolster their frontcourt and help out Holmgren in the middle, but Hartenstein has been sidelined in recent weeks with an injury of his own, having fractured his left hand during the preseason.

Oklahoma City announced nearly four weeks ago that Hartenstein would be reevaluated in five-to-six weeks, so that exam will happen soon. While there’s no indication yet that his return is imminent, it sounds like he should be back on the court well before Holmgren is.

The Thunder have also been waiting on big man Jaylin Williams, who went down with a hamstring strain nearly two weeks ago. He’s expected to remain sidelined for a few more weeks.

Until the Thunder gets Hartenstein and Williams back, the team will have to rely on smaller lineups, as it did on Sunday after Holmgren’s exit. Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe opened the second half alongside usual starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, and Jalen Williams. Ousmane Dieng, a 6’10” forward, is also a candidate for an increased role.

“This is a resilient, tough, competitive, adaptive team,” head coach Mark Daigneault said after the game, per The Athletic. “And that’s what we’re gonna be regardless of the circumstance.”

It’s worth noting that rookie forward Malevy Leons is currently occupying the Thunder’s 15th roster spot on a non-guaranteed deal. If the team wants to bring in a veteran center on a temporary basis, he’d be the most likely release candidate. As Michael Scotto of HoopsHype points out (via Twitter), 13-year vet Bismack Biyombo – who spent part of last season in OKC, is among the top options available in free agency.

Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Atlantic Notes: Powell, Quickley, Brown, Simmons

November 10th, 2024 at 8:54pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Norman Powell played for the Raptors from 2015-21. The veteran forward is enjoying the best start of his career with the Clippers this season, averaging 25.5 points per game. Toronto traded him for Gary Trent Jr. and now Powell, 31, has emerged as an offensive force, while Trent is no longer on the Toronto roster.

“I’ve always had the confidence in myself and the belief that when an opportunity came to be one of the go-to guys every single night and I can play at a high level and compete against the top guys,” Powell told Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. “That’s the reason I’ve worked so hard. It’s something that’s been on my mind for a long time, so I’m just excited and grateful for the opportunity.”

Powell had 24 points in the Clippers’ two-point win over the Raptors on Saturday.

We have more on the Atlantic Division:

  • Immanuel Quickley, out since the Raptors’ opener due to a pelvic injury, gave his club an immediate offensive boost upon his return. He had 21 points and four assists in 26 minutes against the Clippers. “He was just turned up, and he obviously turned us up offensively, defensively,” wing Ochai Agbaji told Eric Koreen of The Athletic. “He brought a lot for us.”
  • Jaylen Brown returned to the Celtics’ lineup against the Bucks on Sunday after missing the previous four games with a strained left hip flexor. He had 14 points in 37 minutes. Brown had been listed as questionable on Boston’s injury report. Brown was averaging 25.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in six games entering the contest.
  • New Nets coach Jordi Fernandez is reluctant to start both Nic Claxton and Ben Simmons due to Simmons’ offensive limitations. Simmons, a free agent after the season, views himself as a starter but will accept whatever role he’s given. “For the flow of the team, whatever the team needs me to do in terms of whether it’s coming off the bench or starting, I’ve got to do. So, that’s what coach wants right now,” Simmons said, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Community Shootaround: Injuries, Rules Changes

November 10th, 2024 at 7:30pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Take a look at our top stories in recent days and an obvious pattern emerges.

Kevin Durant, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Jordan Hawkins, Miles Bridges and Tyrese Maxey have all been sidelined by injuries that will keep them out of action for multiple weeks.

They join the likes of Kristaps Porzingis, Jaylen Brown, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Lonzo Ball, Aaron Gordon, James Wiseman, Kawhi Leonard, Khris Middleton, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Jaylin Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Paolo Banchero, Joel Embiid, Jeremy Sochan, Scottie Barnes and Taylor Hendricks among the notable players currently sidelined by injuries. And we’re only into the first few weeks of the season.

This has become the new norm and arguably the biggest issue confronting the NBA. Despite advanced training methods, fewer back-to-backs, load management and rule changes to discourage physical play and flagrant fouls, players keep breaking down.

We’re not talking about football here, where injuries in a contact sport are inevitable. Research past decades and you’ll see that NBA players rarely missed games. Michael Jordan played 80 or more games 11 times. Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant each appeared in 77 or more regular-season games nine times.

So why can’t today’s players stay on the court? The usual excuse is that the game is more wide open and played at a faster pace. Teams spread the floor and defenders have to cover more ground.

Is it time for the NBA to slow the game down and preserve the players’ bodies? No one benefits when stars are on the bench in street clothes.

What changes can be made? The logical way of making it happen is to put limits on three-point attempts. The league isn’t going to erase the line but it could cap the amount of three-point attempts per game. Or they could have shots beyond the arc only count for three points at certain times of the game, say the last two or three minutes of each quarter. That would bring back more isolation plays and mid-range shooting.

We’ve seen recent rules changes improve MLB play, most notably the pitch clock, which had led to shorter games and less dead time.

That brings up to today’s topic: What steps should the NBA take to address the epidemic of injuries? What kind of rules changes or other methods would you suggest to reduce the amount of missed games?

Please take to the comments section to weigh on this topic. We look forward to your input.

Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Central Notes: Pistons’ G League, Atkinson, LaVine

November 10th, 2024 at 5:48pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Pelicans have done an excellent job developing players via their NBA G League franchise. The Detroit Free Press’ Omari Sankofa details how Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, a former New Orleans executive, is trying to build the same model with the Motor City Cruise. The Pistons G League team practices in the same facility as the NBA team and plays its games a short distance from Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena.

“An NBA head coach can walk and watch our practice every single day,” Cruise GM Max Unger said. “For our players, they have the built-in resources and the accountability of being in an NBA building where people have eyes on you. When I’m going through the draft process, whether a G League draft, an NBA draft, we’re talking to potential Exhibit 10 projects. The fact that we are under one roof is an incredible, incredible thing.”

We have more from the Central Division:

  • In a subscriber-only story, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Chris Fedor describes how former Warriors assistant and current Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has Cleveland playing much like Golden State’s premier teams. The Cavs will carry an 11-0 record into their game against Chicago on Monday.
  • Atkinson says he’s learned a lot of lessons since being fired as the Nets’ head coach in 2020. “[I’m] more patient, more of a manager,” the Cavaliers head coach told Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “[In] Brooklyn, I was a real coach. I was really coaching the game hard, which is typical for a first-time coach. You’re trying to make sure every shootaround is perfect, every practice is perfect. And it’s my experience with Steve [Nash] and Ty [Lue], and my international experience being around other coaches, just having more of a big-picture feel. I do a better job of managing the locker room, managing players, don’t get so stressed out about the little things like I used to. I’m sure that comes with age, too.”
  • While Zach LaVine‘s name is inevitably brought up in trade rumors, he has blocked out the noise and concentrated on the Bulls’ season, coach Billy Donovan told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. “I felt in September when he came back, he was all in. I felt like when training camp started, he has been all in, committed to trying to play the way we need to play,” Donovan said. LaVine says he’s committed to being a team leader as well and doing whatever the franchise asks of him, Cowley adds in a separate story. “I don’t think you ever lower expectations,” LaVine said. “You go into each game trying to win, regardless. I don’t care if you have the lowest expectations on the totem pole, we’re trying to win games, at least I am. I’m not here trying to throw no games. Been in Chicago for years, we’re not trying to lose games. But understanding the situation we’re in with the guys, we’re trying to develop dudes as well. You know, how can the veteran guys put their footprint into the game and help us win, but also help raise these guys’ level of play.”
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

NBA G League Affiliate Players For 2024/25

November 10th, 2024 at 4:21pm CST by Luke Adams

Throughout the offseason and preseason, NBA teams are permitted to carry 21 players, but that number must be reduced to 15 (plus three two-way players) in advance of opening night. However, up to four players waived by teams prior to the season can be designated as “affiliate players” and assigned to their G League squads.

As we explain in more detail in our glossary entry on the subject, if a player’s NBA team has designated him as an affiliate player and he signs a G League contract, he is automatically assigned to that team’s NBAGL roster.

Of the G League’s 31 teams, 30 are directly affiliated with an NBA club. Only the Mexico City Capitanes are unaffiliated and are ineligible to have affiliate players.

Here are the affiliate players for the other 30 squads to open the 2024/25 season, which tipped off on Friday:

Austin Spurs (Spurs)

Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans)

Capital City Go-Go (Wizards)

Cleveland Charge (Cavaliers)

College Park Skyhawks (Hawks)

Delaware Blue Coats (Sixers)

Grand Rapids Gold (Nuggets)

Greensboro Swarm (Hornets)

Indiana Mad Ants (Pacers)

Iowa Wolves (Timberwolves)

Long Island Nets (Nets)

Maine Celtics (Celtics)

Memphis Hustle (Grizzlies)

Motor City Cruise (Pistons)

Oklahoma City Blue (Thunder)

  • Cormac Ryan
  • Note: The Blue also designated Chase Jeter and Malevy Leons as affiliate players, but Jeter has since been waived, while Leons got a call-up to the Thunder’s standard roster.

Osceola Magic (Magic)

Raptors 905 (Raptors)

Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Rockets)

Rip City Remix (Trail Blazers)

Salt Lake City Stars (Jazz)

San Diego Clippers (Clippers)

Santa Cruz Warriors (Warriors)

Sioux Falls Skyforce (Heat)

South Bay Lakers (Lakers)

Stockton Kings (Kings)

Texas Legends (Mavericks)

Valley Suns (Suns)

Westchester Knicks (Knicks)

Windy City Bulls (Bulls)

Wisconsin Herd (Bucks)

Note: Our affiliate players for 24 teams were officially confirmed by those clubs. Our affiliate player lists for the Delaware Blue Coats, OKC Blue, Rip City Remix, SLC Stars, Valley Suns, and Windy City Bulls have not been officially confirmed and are based on our research.

In addition to these “affiliate players,” G League teams have the ability to fill out their rosters with the following types of players:

  • Returning rights: Players whose G League rights were already held by the team from a previous season (or were acquired in a trade from another NBAGL team).
  • G League draft rights: Players who were selected in this season’s G League draft.
  • NBA draft rights: Players who were drafted by an NBA team and signed a G League contract instead of an NBA contract.
  • Local tryout: Players who earned a shot via a local tryout.
  • G League player pool: Players who signed G League contracts and went undrafted (or signed their contracts after the draft). Newly signed players go through a waiver process and enter the league’s free agent pool if they go unclaimed.
  • Two-way contract: Players who are on a two-way contract with an NBA team and have been transferred to the G League.
  • NBA assignment: Players who are on a standard contract with an NBA team and have been assigned to the G League.
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Pacers Starters Nesmith, Nembhard Out Multiple Weeks

November 10th, 2024 at 2:57pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith, sidelined by an left ankle sprain, won’t return until at least next month, coach Rick Carlisle said on Sunday, per Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star (Twitter link).

Nesmith opened the season as the team’s starting small forward but hasn’t played since Nov. 1. One of the team’s top defenders, Nesmith is averaging 9.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game this season while shooting 52.5% from the floor and 54.5% from three-point range. He averaged 12.2 PPG and 4.0 APG last season while starting 47 of 72 games.

Andrew Nembhard, who is dealing with left knee soreness, will miss at least two weeks, according to Carlisle. Nembhard has started seven games in the backcourt this season, averaging 7.3 PPG and 4.7 APG. His last appearance came on Wednesday, when he played 31 minutes against Orlando. Nembhard started 47 of 68 games last season, averaging 9.2 PPG and 4.1 APG.

It’s been a rough go for the club in terms of injuries during the early stages of the season. Indiana has lost two backup centers, Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, to season-ending Achilles tendon tears.

Forward Obi Toppin is sitting out Sunday’s game against the Knicks with a left ankle sprain.

Ben Sheppard, Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, T.J. McConnell and Johnny Furphy could all see their minutes expand while Nesmith and Nembhard mend.

Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0
Load More Posts