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New Orleans Pelicans mascot Pierre getting a makeover

Here’s the New Orleans Times-Picayune with the hottest NBA mascot news of the season. And that’s saying a lot, because we know that you all love your mascot updates:

The New Orleans Pelicans are giving their much-maligned mascot, Pierre the Pelican, a makeover.

The mascot has come under heavy scrutiny and been the butt of jokes since his debut in the season opener Oct. 30 vs. the Indiana Pacers. Pierre’s appearance has drawn national attention, for all the wrong reasons. He’s been panned as a poor man’s knock-off of the famed San Diego Chicken and ridiculed for not looking like, well, a pelican.

A league source said there will be a redesign of Pierre’s head.

DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay both day-to-day with minor injuries

demarcus cousins

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and forward Rudy Gay, both injured during the first half of last night’s contest against the Houston Rockets, were examined today in Sacramento at Kaiser Permanente by Dr. Jason Zemanovic.

Cousins was diagnosed with a sprained left ankle and is currently listed as day-to-day. He is averaging a team-leading 22.6 points (.488 FG%, .721 FT%), a team-high 11.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.78 steals, 1.20 blocks and 32.0 minutes per game in starting all 40 games he has played in.

Additionally, an MRI examination on Gay was negative and he is also listed as day-to-day with a left Achilles strain.

Gay has accrued averages of 20.1 points (.523 FG%, .370 3pt%, .853 FT%), 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.14 steals, 0.71 blocks and 34.1 minutes per contest in 21 games with Sacramento since being acquired from the Raptors on December 9.

Phoenix Suns assign Archie Goodwin to D-League

The Phoenix Suns have assigned guard Archie Goodwin to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, the club announced today.

Goodwin (6-5, 198), a 19-year-old rookie from Kentucky, has appeared in 36 games with the Suns this season, holding averages of 3.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 10.3 minutes. The first-round selection (29th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft scored a season-high 16 points at Sacramento on Nov. 19.

Hawks center Pero Antic out 2-4 weeks with ankle injury

pero antic ankle injury

Atlanta Hawks forward/center Pero Antic suffered a mild right ankle sprain against the Brooklyn Nets in London on Jan. 16. X-rays taken following the game were negative and he continued to play without missing games. An MRI and examination today by Dr. Ashok Reddy at Peachtree Orthopaedics in Atlanta revealed a stress fracture to his right ankle. He will now be placed in a protective walking boot. The expected recovery time is approximately two-to-four weeks and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Forward DeMarre Carroll left last night’s game at Orlando in the third quarter due to left hamstring irritation. After receiving treatment today and being seen by Dr. Reddy, it was determined he has a mild left hamstring strain. His status is listed as day-to-day.

Kawhi Leonard out 3-4 weeks with hand injury

Kawhi Leonard out 3-4 weeks with broken hand

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard underwent a CAT scan earlier today in San Antonio. Results confirmed he has a non-displaced fracture of the fourth metacarpal in his right hand. Leonard suffered the injury in the first half of the Spurs-Thunder game on Wednesday night. He is expected to be out three-to-four weeks.

Leonard is averaging 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season, shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from three-point range.

The Spurs are having a fantastic season. Their 32-10 record is the third best in the league and again look like a championship contender.

Spurs waive forward Malcolm Thomas

spurs

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have waived forward Malcolm Thomas.

Thomas was originally signed by San Antonio on Dec. 3. He appeared in one game with the Silver and Black posting 2 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in 14 minutes vs. Milwaukee on Jan. 19.

Thomas appeared in 10 games with the Spurs D-League affiliate Austin Toros, averaging 15.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.40 blocks.

Sixers forward Brandon Davies undergoes finger surgery

Philadelphia 76ers forward Brandon Davies underwent successful surgery for a fractured right small finger at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. The surgery was performed by Dr. Lawrence Scott Levin, Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

The injury originally occurred in the fourth quarter of the Sixers game at Chicago on January 18, 2014.

Davies will begin rehab immediately and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Landry Fields has wrist surgery, out three or more weeks

Landry Fields has wrist surgery

The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday forward Landry Fields underwent a minor surgical procedure yesterday to address the ulnar nerve release on his right wrist. The surgery was performed by Dr. Brent Graham at Toronto Western Hospital.

It is anticipated that Fields will return to light basketball-related activities in three weeks.

Fields has appeared in 23 games with one start this season, averaging 2.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 11.9 minutes.

The Raptors play host to the Dallas Mavericks tonight at Air Canada Centre at 7 p.m. (Sportsnet/TSN 1050 Toronto).

Bulls sign Mike James to 10-day contract

Bulls sign Mike James to 10-day contract

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent guard Mike James to a 10-day contract. James (6-2, 188), will be in uniform tonight when the Bulls take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena at 6:00 p.m. (CT).

James, an 11-year NBA veteran, appeared in seven games with Chicago earlier this year and averaged 0.3 ppg and 0.9 apg in 5.4 mpg, before he was waived on Dec. 16, 2013.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 14.