Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Thunder and Continental Resources announce naming rights partnership

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Continental Resources today jointly announced a 15-year naming rights partnership for Continental Coliseum, the new state-of-the-art arena rising in downtown Oklahoma City. Demolition of the site is nearing completion, and the construction team will begin mobilizing soon. Continental Coliseum is targeted to open in late summer 2028, ushering in a new era for sports and entertainment in Oklahoma City. The Thunder will continue to play at Paycom Center until the new venue opens.

“We’re grateful to expand our partnership with Continental Resources and for their belief in our organization and in the future of Oklahoma City,” said Clayton I. Bennett, chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder. “We really wanted an Oklahoma partner for this transitional moment in the history of our city. We are proud to align with an organization that embodies the resilience, ambition, and spirit that define our state. As a company founded and built in Oklahoma, Continental shares our deep roots and enduring commitment to this state. Continental Coliseum will stand as a lasting symbol of that shared commitment — a place where our fans, our city, and our state unite to create unforgettable moments for generations.”

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Continental Resources is the largest privately held oil and natural gas producer in the world.

Wizards center Anthony Davis injury update

The Washington Wizards have announced the following injury update for forward/center Anthony Davis:

Davis, who is out with ligament damage in his left hand, was reevaluated Thursday by Dr. Steven Shin of Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. It was determined that Davis’ recovery continues to progress positively, but the volar plate tissue in his left hand has not yet fully healed. Davis will continue with conservative treatment and advance his basketball activity as tolerated. He will be reevaluated at the end of the month

Wizards guard Trae Young injury update

The Washington Wizards announced today the following injury update for guard Trae Young:

Young reinjured his right quadriceps, sustaining a contusion during the third quarter of the game against Golden State on March 16. Related imaging, due to ongoing back pain, confirmed lower back irritation. Both injuries are being treated conservatively and will not require surgery at this time.

Orlando Magic sign Jamal Cain

The Orlando Magic have signed forward Jamal Cain, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Cain (6’7”, 207, 3/20/99) originally signed a two-way contract with Orlando on July 25, 2025. He has played in 27 regular season games this season with the Magic, averaging 3.5 ppg. and 1.1 rpg. in 8.0 minpg. Cain has scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 15 points on March 19 @ Charlotte.

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Cain has appeared in 108 career NBA regular season games (one start) with Miami, New Orleans and Orlando, averaging 4.5 ppg. and 1.9 rpg. in 11.3 minpg. He has also played in 24 career NBA G League regular season games, all with Sioux Falls, averaging 22.7 ppg., 10.0 rpg., 2.9 apg. and 1.67 stlpg. in 36.0 minpg.

Pistons guard Cade Cunningham out with collapsed lung

After further testing, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a left lung pneumothorax. Cunningham exited Tuesday’s game vs. the Wizards in the first quarter. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Per ESPN.com, ” sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania that the collapse of Cunningham’s lung is considered mild. There is some optimism that Cunningham will be back in time for the start of the playoffs, which begin on April 18, sources told Charania. “

Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. injury update

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain following an MRI performed on Wednesday. Porter Jr. is currently listed as out and will be reevaluated in two to three weeks.

In his first season in Brooklyn, Porter Jr. has appeared in 52 games (all starts), averaging a career-high 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, a career-high 3.0 assists and a career-high-tying 1.1 steals in 32.5 minutes per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from 3-point range and 85.9 percent from the free-throw line. He leads the Nets and is tied for 20th in the NBA with 176 3-pointers made this season, which is the most through any player’s first 52 games with the team in franchise history. Porter Jr. has made at least five 3-pointers 16 times, which ranks as the third-most such games in a season in franchise history, and is tied for 14th in the NBA this season with a career-high 14 games of at least 30 points.

Celtics sign Max Shulga and Charles Bassey

The Boston Celtics have signed Celtics two-way guard Max Shulga to a standard NBA contract and center/forward Charles Bassey to a 10-day contract.

Shulga (6-4, 210) has appeared in 36 NBA G League games (all starts) for Maine this season, averaging 15.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.6 steals in 33.9 minutes per game. The 23-year-old has scored in double figures in 29 games, including 10 games with 20+ points and two games with 30+ points. Shulga signed a two-way contract with Boston July 30, 2025, and has seen action in three games for Boston this season. A native of Kiev, Ukraine, Shulga was selected with the 57th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after appearing in 162 collegiate games (109 starts) across three seasons at Utah State (2020-23) and two at VCU (2023-25).
Bassey (6-10, 235) has appeared in 116 games (three starts) over five NBA seasons with Philadelphia (2021-22), San Antonio (2022-25), Memphis (2025-26), and Philadelphia (2025-26). The 25-year-old rejoins Boston after playing in three games for the Celtics’ 2025 NBA Summer League team, where he averaged 15.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 21.3 minutes per game. Bassey holds career averages of 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 62.6 percent from the field since being drafted by Philadelphia with the 53rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The Nigeria native played collegiately at Western Kentucky, where he was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year twice (2019, 2021) and the Conference USA Player of the Year (2021).

Kings sign Killian Hayes

The Sacramento Kings have signed guard Killian Hayes.

Hayes (6-4, 195) has appeared in 10 games (1 start) for Sacramento this season, averaging 3.8 points and 3.3 assists per game. Earlier this season, he made 19 regular season appearances in the G League for the Cleveland Charge, averaging 22.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.7 steals in 32.9 minutes per contest.

Hayes has posted career averages of 7.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 25.6 minutes per game in 226 career games (151 starts) over six seasons with Sacramento, Detroit and Brooklyn. He was selected seventh overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Pistons after playing for Ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga League in 2019-20.