Author: Inside Hoops

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Pelicans forward Zion Williamson remains out

New Orleans Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin announced the following update on forward Zion Williamson:

“After further evaluation, it has been determined that Zion Williamson will continue his rehabilitation and conditioning regimen. We will continue to monitor his progression and updates will be provided as warranted.”

The Pelicans are 41-39 this season, which ties them with the Lakers for the 7th best record in the Western conference.

Williamson has played in 29 games, averaging a very impressive 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists per outing. He’s a big-time star. When healthy.

NBA denies Mavericks’ protest of March 22 loss to Warriors

The NBA today denied the Dallas Mavericks’ protest of their 127-125 loss to the Golden State Warriors on March 22, 2023.

FROM THE LEAGUE:

The Mavericks’ protest asserted that, with approximately two minutes remaining in the third quarter, the officials did not properly administer an out-of-bounds call and a subsequent throw-in that was followed by an uncontested basket by Golden State. But the incident occurred with nearly 14 minutes remaining in the game, and Dallas thereafter took the lead twice in the final four minutes. Under these circumstances, Dallas was not able to show — as required under the standard for NBA game protests — that it was deprived of a fair opportunity to win the game, and the protest failed on that basis alone.

Following the game, Dallas Governor Mark Cuban posted on Twitter that the officials had originally awarded possession to Dallas on the play and then during the timeout changed the call. Those public statements were inaccurate, and in its written submission in support of its protest, Dallas agreed that the referee signaled possession to Golden State.

The NBA concluded that although the game officials could have taken steps to better manage this particular situation, that did not provide a basis for the extraordinary remedy of upholding a game protest.

Nets unveil 2023-24 NBA City Edition Uniform

The Brooklyn Nets have unveiled their 2023-24 Nike NBA City Edition Uniform, created with renowned Brooklyn-based artist KAWS. The uniform was designed as part of a two-year partnership between the Nets and the artist, making this the first-time KAWS has collaborated with a professional sports team.

PER THE TEAM:

The Nets’ newest City Edition uniform mixes authentic details and some of the most notable elements of KAWS’ work, including:

Taking inspiration from KAWS’ 10-part artwork, “TENSION,” the overall uniform design is evocative of the artist’s signature eye-catching abstract paintings, accented by a bold color palette.

KAWS’ signature “XX” design motif is prominently featured on the waistband of the shorts.

The NETS lettering across the chest of the jersey is inspired by the artist’s graphic style with the remixed Nets logo on the shorts given the same treatment.

KAWS’ autograph is woven into the jersey directly above the jock tag.

Pelicans waive two-way guard Dereon Seabron

The New Orleans Pelicans have waived two-way guard Dereon Seabron.

Seabron, 6-7, 180, appeared in five games off the bench this season with New Orleans. Originally signed to a two-way contract on September 9, Seabron appeared in 28 games (25 starts) with the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, averaging 17.8 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 33.3 minutes per contest.

New Orleans’ roster now stands at 16 players, including one two-way player.

The latest on the Grizzlies

Via the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

The next time the Memphis Grizzlies will play at home will be in the 2023 playoffs. There are still three more games left on the regular season schedule, starting with Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Memphis (50-29) is two games ahead of the Sacramento Kings for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Since Wednesday’s game is the second night of a back to back, the Grizzlies will likely be missing a couple of rotation players.

Trail Blazers sign Jeenathan Williams, waive Ryan Arcidiacono

The Trail Blazers have signed guard Jeenathan Williams.

Also, the team waived guard Ryan Arcidiacono.

Williams, 24, has played in 32 games (28 starts) for the Salt Lake City Stars, the NBA G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, during the 2022-23 season, accruing averages of 14.4 points (52.3% FG, 41.7% 3-PT, 84.8% FT), 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 29.8 minutes.

Timberwolves center Naz Reid injury update

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the following injury update on center Naz Reid, who suffered a left wrist injury at the 8:26 minute mark of the fourth quarter Wednesday at Phoenix:

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken yesterday at Mayo Clinic Square by Dr. Kelechi Okoroha on Reid revealed a left scaphoid fracture. He will be out indefinitely and further updates to his progress will be provided when available.

In 68 games (11 starts) this season, Reid is averaging career highs with 11.5 points on 53.7% shooting and 4.9 rebounds, along with 1.1 assists per game.

Knicks forward Julius Randle injured, out with ankle sprain

Via the NY Post:

All-Star forward Julius Randle will have his sprained left ankle reevaluated in two weeks, the team announced Thursday, meaning he will miss at least the final five games of the regular season — beginning Friday night against the Cavaliers — and possibly the start of the playoffs.

As long as the Knicks are not in the play-in round, the playoffs for them would start no earlier than April 15.

Historically, the league has played the eight Game 1’s on the first two playoff days (this year that would be April 15-16).

Randle, the team’s leading scorer at 25.1 points per game, has started all 77 games this season before departing late in the second quarter of Wednesday’s win over the Heat after landing on the foot of Miami forward Bam Adebayo.

FULL ARTICLE

Hornets sign Kobi Simmons to Two-Way contract

Charlotte Hornets have signed guard Kobi Simmons to a Two-Way contract.

Simmons has scored 1,803 points in three seasons (2019-21, 22-23) with the Greensboro Swarm, an all-time record for the Hornets’ G League affiliate. In 98 contests (78 starts) with the Swarm, Simmons has averaged 18.4 points (46.2 FG%, 36.2 3P%, 78.9 FT%), 4.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 33.5 minutes per game. Prior to the Swarm, he spent two seasons with the Memphis Hustle and the Cleveland Charge.

Simmons made his NBA debut for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2017-18 season. He notched career highs with 20 points and seven assists in a Grizzlies win over the Detroit Pistons on April 8, 2018. Simmons has appeared in 33 games (12 starts) for the Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers, recording 5.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19.5 minutes per game. His professional experience also includes one season (2021-22) playing for BM Slam Stal Ostrow WLKP of the Polish EBL.

Simmons played one season at the University of Arizona (2016-17), where he averaged 8.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 23.5 minutes per game across 37 contests (19 starts). He helped the Wildcats earn a Pac-12 championship, a trip to the Sweet 16 and the No. 4 spot in the final AP poll.