Raptors sign center Malik Williams to 10-day contract

The Toronto Raptors have signed center Malik Williams to a 10-day contract.

Williams, 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, averaged 11.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 23.2 minutes in 33 regular season games (24 starts) with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the G League affiliate of the Miami Heat, this year. He shot .436 (143-328) from the field. Williams scored in double figures 21 times including a career-high 29 points Jan. 19 against the Maine Celtics.

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Williams went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft and spent last season with Anwil Wloclawek of the Polish OBL where he averaged 8.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 17.7 minutes, while shooting .445 (89-200) from the field in 31 games (18 starts).

Williams played collegiately at Louisville and averaged 7.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 17.9 minutes, shooting .444 (311-701) from the field in 123 games (62 starts) over five seasons (2017-22).

Hornets head coach Steve Clifford to step down at end of season

Charlotte Hornets Head Coach Steve Clifford announced today that he will step down from his role as head coach when his contract expires at the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season. Clifford will serve as head coach for the team’s seven remaining games and is expected to move into an advisory role with the front office next season. The Hornets will begin their search for a new head coach immediately.

“This is the appropriate time for me to step down,” said Clifford. “I believe this is best for me and the organization. I’m excited about the future of the Hornets – our young core of players, Jeff’s leadership of our basketball operations and Rick and Gabe’s vision for the organization. I want to thank all the Hornets players and staff for their work the past two seasons and our Hornets fans for their continued support of our team.”

“Dating back to our time together in Brooklyn, I have a tremendous amount of appreciation for Coach Cliff, and I understand his decision to step down,” said Hornets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson. “His basketball knowledge, teaching ability and work ethic are well-respected throughout the NBA. He has had to endure some very difficult circumstances the past two years, and yet our players have continued to compete, work hard and develop. On behalf of the entire Hornets organization, I want to thank Steve for all his efforts, and we look forward to having him remain a part of the organization.

“While Steve will continue to coach the team for the remainder of the season, we will immediately begin the search process for our next head coach. We will look to hire someone that shares our values and vision in developing our young core and creating a culture and identity based on teamwork, accountability and competitiveness. We will conduct a thorough search process to select the best head coach for the Hornets moving forward.”

Clifford was hired on June 24, 2022, marking his second stint with the Hornets. He previously served as head coach from 2013 – 2018, leading the team to two playoff appearances, and his 241 victories as Charlotte’s head coach are the most in franchise history. Clifford also served as head coach of the Orlando Magic for three seasons (2018-21), guiding the team to two playoff berths. He became the 75th coach in NBA history to amass 300 wins. In total, Clifford has more than 25 years of NBA experience as a scout, assistant coach and head coach.

Raptors sign Kobi Simmons to a 10-day contract

The Toronto Raptors have signed guard Kobi Simmons to a 10-day contract.

Simmons, 6-foot-5, 180 pounds, is averaging 15.9 points, 4.9 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 31.6 minutes in 23 regular season games (19 starts) with Raptors 905 in the NBA G League this year. He is shooting .438 (124-283) from the field, .388 (50-129) from three-point range, and .830 (44-53) at the foul line. Simmons has scored in double figures in 19-of-23 games and 20+ points six times, including a career-high 36 points Mar. 11 at Osceola.

Michael Porter Jr. making it rain for the Nuggets

Via the Denver Post:

In a quest for history, Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. couldn’t be denied.

Entering Thursday’s matchup against the New York Knicks, Porter only needed three 3-pointers to set the franchise’s single-season record. The way Porter’s been shooting of late, it felt as if it was only a matter of time during Denver’s 113-100 victory inside Ball Arena.

With 38 seconds left in the second quarter, forward Aaron Gordon drove to the free throw line before passing to Porter, who drained a contested step-back 3-pointer. Later in the third, Porter caught a pass from Nikola Jokic before draining a 3 to extend Denver’s lead to 10 points.

As the Nuggets began pulling away from the Knicks in the fourth, Gordon once again found Porter on the wing, where the sharpshooter knocked down his 193rd 3-pointer of the season, surpassing former Denver small forward Dale Ellis (192) on the franchise’s all-time list.

Pistons forward Ausar Thompson out for season due to blood clot

Pistons forward Ausar Thompson will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season while being treated for a blood clot. Under the guidance of Pistons team physician Dr. Ramsey Shehab of Henry Ford Health, Thompson has been cleared to resume conditioning and will begin non-contact basketball activities at the conclusion of the regular season with a gradual ramp up over the summer months in preparation for a full return next season.

Pistons center Isaiah Stewart will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season with a right hamstring strain suffered during the third quarter of Monday’s contest at Boston.

Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell undergoes procedure to fix nasal fracture

Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell sustained a nasal fracture at Houston on March 16 and missed the Cavaliers’ next game at Indiana on March 18. A medical procedure was performed this morning at Cleveland Clinic to realign the affected area. Mitchell will be reevaluated in approximately one week and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Phoenix will host 2027 NBA All-Star weekend

The NBA recently (on March 7) announced that Phoenix has been selected to host 2027 NBA All-Star weekend.

The 76th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns, on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2027. NBA All-Star 2027 will mark the city’s fourth NBA All-Star, having hosted the event in 1975, 1995 and 2009.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement earlier in March during a press conference at Footprint Center, where he was joined by Suns Chairman Mat Ishbia and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, with a recorded message from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.

“Our NBA All-Star festivities in 2027 will showcase Phoenix’s love of everything basketball,” said Silver. “And we couldn’t be more excited to work with Mat Ishbia and the entire Suns organization for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of our sport.”

“Phoenix is the ultimate basketball destination and we are excited for fans from around the world to experience our amazing city,” said Ishbia. “We will provide an NBA All-Star Weekend unlike any other, showcasing the passion of our fans, our city, and everything that we’re building here. Thank you to the NBA and the entire Phoenix community for rallying together to bring this marquee event to Phoenix and show the world what we are all about.”

“We are excited to welcome the NBA and basketball fans to the great state of Arizona for NBA All-Star 2027. Arizona is a premier destination for sports and entertainment, and we look forward to showing fans everything that our state has to offer,” said Governor Hobbs. “Mat Ishbia and the Phoenix Suns have elevated Phoenix as one of the greatest basketball cities in the world and we are so proud to host this iconic event together.”

“The City of Phoenix is thrilled to host NBA All-Star 2027. Our city is no stranger to hosting major sports and entertainment events and this is another opportunity to put Phoenix on the global stage,” said Mayor Gallego. “NBA All-Star will bring excitement and energy to the city along with significant economic impact. Thank you to the NBA and the Phoenix Suns for the opportunity to welcome fans from around the world to our incredible city for what will be a memorable All-Star weekend.”

Cavaliers sign Marcus Morris to 10-day contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Marcus Morris Sr. to a 10-day contract, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Morris Sr. (6-8, 235), who appeared in 37 games this season with the Philadelphia 76ers, was traded to San Antonio as part of a three-team deal on February 8th before being waived on February 29th. Over his 13-year NBA career, Morris Sr. has played in 820 games (509 starts) with Houston, Phoenix, Detroit, Boston, New York, L.A. Clippers and Philadelphia, owning career averages of 12.1 points (.435 FG%, .377 3FG%, .775 FT%) and 4.5 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per contest. Additionally, he has appeared in 67 career playoff games (45 starts) with averages of 12.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 30.1 minutes while also shooting .407 from the three-point line.

The veteran forward was drafted 14th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2011 NBA Draft after a three-year collegiate career at University of Kansas (2008-2011), where he was named the 2010–11 Big 12 Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year.