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Lakers hire Craig Hughner as Director of Media Relations

The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Craig Hughner as Director, Media Relations, President of Business Operations Tim Harris announced today.

Hughner, 41, joins the Lakers following a 15-year career in Major League Baseball. The Los Angeles native most recently held the title of Vice President, Communications for the San Diego Padres where he oversaw media relations and business/crisis communications for the organization and was responsible for internal and external communication strategy for the Padres and Petco Park.

Prior to his time in San Diego, Hughner served as Director of Media Relations for the Detroit Tigers and spent nine seasons in various baseball communications roles with the Philadelphia Phillies, including their World Series Championship in 2008. He began his MLB career as a baseball information intern for the Seattle Mariners in 2007 and worked as a production coordinator for Fox Sports in Los Angeles from 2003-06.

“We are thrilled to bring Craig back home to Los Angeles and welcome him to the Lakers family,” Harris said. “He is widely respected by his peers and brings a wealth of media relations expertise to our organization.”

Hughner received his bachelor’s degree in Communications from Washington State University (2003) and attended Seattle University’s Sports Administration & Leadership graduate program (2006-07). He was born and raised in Lomita, Calif. and is a 1998 graduate of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School.

“It’s truly a dream come true to join this historic and iconic franchise,” said Hughner. “The amount of pride I’ll feel wearing the purple and gold of my hometown team is indescribable. I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity.”

Hughner will begin his Lakers career on January 3, 2022.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson receives injection to stimulate bone healing in foot

Following a consultation and further evaluation with Dr. Richard Ferkel of the Southern California Orthopedic Institute yesterday, New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson received a biologic injection into the fracture site to stimulate bone healing in his right foot.

Williamson will be limited to low impact, partial weight-bearing activities for an extended period.

Further updates will be given following further imaging which is anticipated to occur in 4-6 weeks.

Williamson has not played yet in the 2021-22 NBA season.

Nets sign Langston Galloway to a 10-day contract

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent guard Langston Galloway to a 10-day contract.

Galloway (6’1”, 200) has appeared in 445 career games (62 starts) across seven seasons with Phoenix (2020-21), Detroit (2017-20), Sacramento (2017), New Orleans (2016-17) and New York (2014-16), recording averages of 8.2 points on 39.8 percent shooting from the field, 37.0 percent shooting from 3-point range and 81.6 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.9 minutes per contest. The 30-year-old native of Baton Rouge, La., saw action in 40 games last season with the NBA Finals-bound Suns, averaging 4.8 points on 44.9 percent shooting from the field, 42.4 percent shooting from 3-point range and 95.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line and 1.1 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game. Prior to signing with Brooklyn, Galloway played in one game with the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League this season.

Galloway went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft after spending four years (2010-14) at Saint Joseph’s, where he earned All-Atlantic 10 First Team honors as a senior. He finished his collegiate career as the program’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made (343), free-throw percentage (82.1 percent) and minutes played (4,720), while ranking second in career points (1,991) and 3-point percentage (42.6 percent).

Stephen Curry is still getting better, says Draymond Green

Stephen Curry yesterday passed Ray Allen to become the NBA’s all-time leader in regular season three-pointers made. Here’s the San Jose Mercury News with more:

The people who mattered most to Steph Curry in his lifelong journey to becoming the NBA’s all-time 3-point king were at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night to share the moment with the Golden State Warriors’ transcendent star.

As coach Steve Kerr said, “The fact that they’re here with him tonight tells you everything about Steph.”

One of those people is Brandon Payne, the personal trainer whom Curry has worked with since his rookie season. Payne, who lives in North Carolina, dropped everything to traverse the country over the past week to make sure he was there in person.

Not only does Curry credit his longevity for allowing him to reach the 3-point record, at age 33, by all accounts, he is only refining his physique.

“I don’t think he’s ever been stronger, physically,” Kerr said.

“I think he’s still getting better, which is scary,” added Draymond Green.

Danny Ainge named CEO of Utah Jazz

Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), the operating company which owns the Utah Jazz, Vivint Arena and other Utah-centric business ventures, today announced the appointment of Danny Ainge as CEO of Utah Jazz Basketball.

Ainge will also represent SEG as an Alternate Governor for the Utah Jazz on the NBA’s Board of Governors.

Ainge joins SEG and the Utah Jazz after 18 years with the Boston Celtics, most recently as President of Basketball Operations. During that time, he was named NBA executive of the year and the team made 15 playoff appearances, seven Eastern Conference Finals, two NBA Finals, and won an NBA championship in 2008. Previously, Ainge was head coach of the Phoenix Suns for three seasons following a 14-year career as a player. He is a three-time NBA champion, winning two titles as a player and one as an executive.

“We have big aspirations for Smith Entertainment Group and the Utah Jazz. Danny is one of the best basketball minds in the world and he’s also passionate about this state and our community,” said Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz and SEG. “We believe in adding the best talent to all facets of our organization and are lucky to have Danny’s acumen and experience. The Jazz are in great hands with the incredible leadership of General Manager Justin Zanik and Head Coach Quin Snyder. We couldn’t be more excited to bring Danny on board to work alongside Justin, Quin and me. Danny will help make our organization stronger in pursuit of our collective goal–winning an NBA title.”

“I have known and respected Ryan and Ashley Smith for many years. What they are doing here in Utah is amazing and I am excited to be a part of their vision for the Jazz and Smith Entertainment Group as a whole,” said Danny Ainge, newly appointed CEO of Utah Jazz Basketball. “Joining the Jazz was a natural and perfect fit for me, as my roots in Utah are deep and strong. This is a team that has a tremendous foundation of players and people, and Justin and Quin are doing an amazing job. I am excited to collaborate with them, be a resource, and share the perspective I have as we work together to bring our fans the success that they deserve.”

Ainge has longstanding ties to the state of Utah. He played basketball at Brigham Young University, where he led the basketball team to an Elite Eight appearance and was awarded the John R. Wooden Award as the best collegiate basketball player in the nation. Ainge will begin work in the new role Dec. 15, 2021. Danny and his wife, Michelle, recently relocated to Utah.

G League weekly news and notes for Dec. 14, 2021

A FAMILIAR FACE: Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed, playing on assignment with the Delaware Blue Coats, has been named NBA G League Player of the Week for games played Monday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 12. Reed, the 2021 NBA G League MVP and Rookie of the Year, led Delaware to a 3-0 week aver-aging 20.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals. The DePaul product put an exclamation point on his week with 25points, 16 rebounds and seven assists in Delaware’s 120-109 win on Dec. 12 over the Westchester Knicks. The Blue Coats closeout their Showcase Cup schedule on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. ET against Westchester on NBAGLeague.com.

BEASTS OF THE EAST: The Delaware Blue Coats (10-1) and the Maine Celtics (9-1) have clinched spots in the Showcase Cup Tournament out of the East region. Delaware is riding an eight-game winning streak while Maine has a seven-game win streak of its own. The Blue Coats have been paced by NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year candidate Shaquille Harrison, who’s averaging 19.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and a league-leading 2.9 steals. Delaware leads the league in steals per game (14.4), translating into a league-high 26.9 points per game off turnovers. The Celtics feature eight players scoring in double figures, including Boston Celtics Two-Way players Brodric Thomas (18.3 ppg) and Sam Hauser (17.1 ppg). Maine’s attack from three-point range has been the best in the NBA G League, leading in three-pointers made (165) and three-point percentage (41.6).

STOKED IN SOUTH BAY: Led by Mac McClung, Mason Jones and Paris Bass, the South Bay Lakers cruised to a 3-1 week to put them atop the West region at 8-2. McClung spearheaded the offense for the Lakers this week, averaging a team-high 24.3points and 7.3 assists while Jones contributed 21.3 points, 7.3 re-bounds and 5.8 assists, including a 30-point explosion in South Bay’s 139-120 win over the Salt Lake City Stars on Dec. 8. Bass put together two consecutive double-doubles during the week and in four games averaged 16.8 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Lakers return to action tonight hosting the Agua Caliente Clippers at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+

Health update on Suns guard Devin Booker

Here’s the Arizona Republic on Suns guard Devin Booker:

Devin Booker has many reasons to smile right now even though he’ll miss his fifth consecutive game Monday night.

One, his injured left hamstring is improving.

Two, he’s at least back on the court with his teammates for shootarounds.

Three, his team is still rolling without him.

With the NBA’s best record, the Suns (21-4) were 3-1 without Booker going into Monday’s game against the Clippers (15-12) at STAPLES Center as he continues to rehab and train in working his way back from injury.

“Hammy feels good, man,” said Booker, who strained his hamstring in the first half of a Nov. 30 win over the Golden State Warriors. “Just getting back right. Finally back out on the court doing some things. I’ve just been lifting prior to that. Feeling good back out on the court during shootaround. That’s always a plus.”

The Suns are 21-4 this season, which is the best record in the NBA through Sunday’s games.

Their leading scorers so far in 2021-22 are Booker at 23.2 points per game, Deandre Ayton at 16.3 ppg, Chris Paul at 14.4 ppg and Mikal Bridges at 12.2 ppg.

Interview with Knicks guard Quentin Grimes after big performance vs. Bucks

The Bucks beat the Knicks 112-97 on Sunday, but a bright spot for New York in the loss was the play of rookie guard Quentin Grimes, who in 40 minutes as a starter shot 9-of-17 from the field, including 7-of-13 three-pointers, for 27 points and three steals.

Here’s what Grimes said to the media after the game:

On if he could have dreamt of having such a big game in his first career start: “Not going to lie, I really didn’t. I found out about 90 minutes before the game started when we knew RJ [Barrett] couldn’t play that I was going to start. I just needed to keep my mind right and do it how I used to in college to prepare myself. It was definitely a surreal moment and I was just trying to soak it all in.”

On how the flow of the game was different being a starter: “It is just different when you start the game because you get into a flow a little bit. I felt like once I was out there and got into a flow, got up and down the court a little bit, I let my first shot go and I got comfortable. I felt like I was comfortable coming off of pick-and-rolls, pushing the ball, and with Thibs [Coach Thibodeau] he always preaches staying ready and he does a great job pregame every game of getting us ready, so I felt comfortable out there and it is a credit to him really.”

On what he learned today that will make him a better player moving forward: “I think that I can really play with these guys. They [Milwaukee] are the defending champs, they are not one of the lower seeds in the East, so I learned a lot more about myself going against the defending champs. I feel like I learned a lot about my game and I just need to keep improving day by day whether it is starting or coming off of the bench so that I can do what I can to help the team win.”

Rockets notes: Dec. 13, 2021

Some Houston Rockets team notes from the past week:

Over the past three games, Armoni Brooks is averaging 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists… he has hit 11 3-pointers over that span and has the third-most 3FGM (97) through the first 42 games played of a career in NBA history.

Alperen Sengun has scored 10+ points in four of the past five games after doing so twice the eight games prior… he had a career-high tying 15 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks in 23 minutes of play at Memphis on 12/11, becoming the first player to have posted those numbers while playing 25 or fewer minutes since James Harden did so against the Grizzlies on 3/14/16.

The Rockets have shot 47.0% or better from the floor in six straight games for the first time in a single season since 3/16-3/27/14… Houston is 7-4 when outshooting its opponent this season.

Houston has outrebounded its opponent in six of the past 11 games after doing so five time the first 15 games of the season… dating back to last season, the Rockets are 18-12 when outrebounding their opponent.