October 2016 – Page 12 – NBA Blog

Gary Harris closer to return for Nuggets

Here’s the Denver Post with an update on Nuggets guard Gary Harris, who last season averaged 12.3 points on 46.9% shooting:

Gary Harris took his first shots on the court Thursday afternoon since going down with a right groin strain in the first preseason game. The post-practice shooting was light, but poignant for a player inching his way to a return.

“That was the most I’ve done in a while,” Harris said. “Really haven’t tried anything (until today). Just tried to be cautious with it, make sure everything is cool. Don’t want to reaggravate it and make sure I’m feeling nothing when I’m doing things.”

Joakim Noah has spent preseason with injuries

The Knicks are hoping they’re going to get the good Joakim Noah who was a key difference-maker on the Bulls a few years ago. But so far this preseason, they’re getting the more recent, banged-up version. Here’s the New York Daily News reporting:

Joakim Noah’s good health didn’t last long.

A day after scrimmaging for the first time since straining his hamstring nearly two weeks ago, the center missed Thursday’s practice due to a “minor sprained ankle,” coach Jeff Hornacek said.

Noah, who missed at least five games in six of the last seven seasons, hasn’t played yet for the Knicks in the preseason because of the hamstring ailment. He then hurt his angle on one of the final plays of Wednesday’s practice, and Hornacek was unsure about Noah’s status Saturday’s game against Boston.

Jazz waive Eric Dawson, Quincy Ford and Marcus Paige

The Jazz waived forward Eric Dawson, forward/guard Quincy Ford and guard Marcus Paige today.

Eric Dawson (6-9, 255, Mideastern State) appeared in one preseason game, scoring two points in 13 minutes of action vs. Phoenix on Oct. 12. He signed as a free agent on Sept. 21.

Quincy Ford (6-8, 225, Northeastern) scored two points in 12 minutes vs. the Suns on Oct. 12. He signed as a free agent on Sept. 6 after competing for the Jazz entries in both the Utah Jazz Summer League and NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Paige (6-2, 175, North Carolina) averaged 5.5 points and 1.5 assists in two preseason games for Utah. He also competed at the Utah Jazz Summer League and NBA Summer League for the Jazz entries.

The Jazz roster now stands at 17 players.

Lakers waive Julian Jacobs, Zach Auguste and Travis Wear

The Lakers waived guard Julian Jacobs and forwards Zach Auguste and Travis Wear today.

Auguste was signed on August 29 and did not appear in any of the four preseason games for the Lakers. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 15:41 minutes per game in four games (one start) for the Lakers’ entry in the 2016 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Jacobs was signed September 1 and appeared in two preseason games for Los Angeles, scoring three points with two assists in 11 minutes.

Wear was also signed September 1, and saw action in two preseason games for the Lakers, scoring three points in addition to two rebounds in 11 minutes.

The Lakers training camp roster stands at 17.

Clippers waive Dorell Wright and Xavier Munford

The Clippers today waived guard Xavier Munford and forward Dorell Wright.

Munford played in just two games for the Clippers this preseason, scoring four points. A 2016 D-League All-Star, he spent last season with the Bakersfield Jam and the Memphis Grizzlies. In 14 games for the Grizzlies to end the 2015-16 season, Munford averaged 5.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 17.4 minutes.

Wright, appeared in two games for the Clippers in the preseason. The 19th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, has spent 12 seasons in the NBA with Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Portland. In 549 career games (222 starts), the Los Angeles native has averages of 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Wright spent last season in the Chinese Basketball Association playing for the Beikong Fly Dragons before signing with the Heat to close the season. In 37 games for the Dragons, he averaged 24.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

The roster now stands at 15 players for the Clippers.

Tiago Splitter out with hamstring injury

Hawks center Tiago Splitter has been diagnosed with a grade 2 hamstring strain, which he sustained in a recent practice. An MRI taken yesterday at the Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center revealed the injury.

Splitter will be out at least four weeks, which means he’ll miss at least the first two weeks of the regular season.

The Hawks will likely start Paul Millsap at power foward and new addition Dwight Howard at center. Splitter will likely come off the bench once he’s healthy.

Reggie Jackson injury update: out 6-8 weeks

Pistons guard Reggie Jackson will be out of action for the next 6-8 weeks after treatment today. The point guard received platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections on this morning to treat left knee tendinosis and an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain of his right thumb.

The team says his recovery will be monitored throughout the rehabilitation process.

The six to eight week recovery period is an estimate. If it changes, of course we’ll post about it.

Jackson played 79 games last season and averaged 18.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 30.7 minutes per game.

Suns waive Shaquille Harrison, Derek Cooke Jr and Gracin Bakumanya

The Suns waived guard Shaquille Harrison, forward Derek Cooke Jr. and center Gracin Bakumanya today. Their roster now stands at 16 players.

Bakumanya, Cooke and Harrison originally signed with the Suns on Sept. 25. The three players did not appear in any of the team’s first three preseason games. It’s no surprise that they were waived.

All teams must trim their rosters to 15 or fewer players before the start of the regular season, which begins October 25.

The Suns are built around guards Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker and Brandon Knight. Up front they have veteran center Tyson Chandler, and mostly either young players who still need improvement or role-playing veterans.

With Reggie Jackson out, Pistons offense should change

Of course, logic suggests that when a key player is out injured, the team will play differently. But what exact changes they’ll make, that’s the interesting part. Here’s Michigan Live reporting on the Pistons:

Ready for a different-looking Detroit Pistons offense?

It won’t be entirely ripped to shreds, but the Pistons are tinkering with the playbook in practice with Reggie Jackson expected to be out for an extended period of time.

Jackson is due to receive a plasma injection Monday to treat tendinitis in his left knee. He could miss as much as six to eight weeks, handing the keys to the offense to backup Ish Smith…

What’s that mean for the offense? According to Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy, more ball-screens for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Bullock, more production from the wings, and a concerted effort to get All-Star center Andre Drummond the ball in the post…

Expect more touches for forwards Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris, too.

Warriors waive Elgin Cook and Scott Wood

The Warriors waived forwards Elgin Cook and Scott Wood today.

Cook was originally signed by the Warriors on September 16 and appeared in two preseason games, scoring four points in 18 minutes.

Wood was originally signed by the Warriors on September 23 and scored three points in 12 minutes over two preseason contests.

All NBA teams must trim their rosters to 15 or fewer players by the end of preseason, before the regular season begins. Expect many player cuts around the league in the coming weeks.