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Hornets guard Terry Rozier back from health and safety protocols

The Hornets are welcoming Terry Rozier back to action. Via the Charlotte Observer:

Instead of getting overly frustrated or bitter about his unexpected weeklong respite, Terry Rozier was quite the opposite.

Being sidelined in the NBA’s health and safety protocols gave the Charlotte Hornets guard a chance to take on a parenting role of sorts, keeping close tabs on the newest ones in the flock as they attempted to spread their wings while he was out.

“I’m like a proud dad watching the young homies hoop,” Rozier told The Observer on Monday. “So that’s how I felt — like a proud dad.”

Finally cleared and able to play again, Rozier rejoined his teammates just in time to begin their six-game road trip here against the Mavericks. He participated in morning shootaround and was his usual jovial self, which was surely a welcomed sight for the Hornets.

The Hornets are 15-13 this season, which is the 8th best record in the Eastern conference.

Their leading scorers so far in 2021-22 are Miles Bridges at 20.3 points per game, LaMelo Ball at 20.0 ppg, Rozier at 17.7 ppg, Gordon Hayward at 17.6 ppg and Kelly Oubre at 16.9 ppg.

Medical update: Zion Williamson remains out with foot injury

The New Orleans Pelicans released the following medical update on Zion Williamson:

“After experiencing persistent soreness in his right foot, Zion Williamson underwent medical imaging which showed a regression in the bone healing of his fifth metatarsal. As a result, the volume and intensity of his training will be reduced for an extended period to help allow for further bone healing.

Kings center Richaun Holmes undergoes eye surgery

Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes underwent a successful procedure today at Kaiser Permanente to repair a right eye laceration. The injury was sustained during the second quarter of Wednesday night’s contest versus Orlando.

Additionally, Holmes underwent concussion screening and was subsequently cleared of any concussive event.

Holmes will be listed as out for the team’s next two games at Charlotte and at Cleveland

Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum diagnosed with a collapsed right lung

Upon further examination, a CT scan revealed that Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum has a pneumothorax (right lung), the team announced today. Per MayoClinic.org, a pneumothorax is a collapsed lung.

McCollum sustained the injury during the 4th quarter of Portland’s game versus Boston on December 4.

He will be further evaluated before a prognosis is determined and his status will be updated accordingly.

McCollum did not travel with the team for Wednesday’s game at Golden State.

In 24 games this season (all starts), McCollum has averaged 20.6 points (42.4% FG, 39.3% 3-PT, 70.0% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.08 steals and 35.3 minutes.

Rockets now on six-game winning streak

Some Houston Rockets team notes as the squad enjoys their current six-game winning streak:

Christian Wood has scored 20+ points in four of the past five games after doing so four times prior this season… he is averaging 19.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.8 bpg during the Rockets six-game winning streak.

Jae’Sean Tate has recorded 7+ assists in three of the past four games after not doing so prior this season and four times as a rookie in 2020-21… he is averaging 16.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1.00 spg and 1.00 bpg during Houston’s six-game winning streak.

The Rockets have won six in a row, which is the longest active winning streak in the NBA… Houston has also won five straight at Toyota Center for the first time since 12/16/19-1/11/20 and is 6-5 at home overall this season.

Houston is averaging 5.2 more 3-pointers made than opponents during the six-game winning streak… the Rockets are 7-3 when having more 3FGM than the opposition this season.

Knicks guard Kemba Walker remains benched

The Knicks are still finding their way this season. Via the New York Post:

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is not ready to make a Kemba Walker reversal, but said he won’t hesitate to make more changes if the losing continues.

Among other factors, Thibodeau said he doesn’t have “a big enough sample size.”

“If we’re not performing well, look, there may be more changes coming,” Thibodeau said. “I want to make sure that — I do have respect for [Walker]. He’s part of the team and right now we have a rotation. He’s not in the rotation but he’s working in practice, he’s doing all the things he should be doing. As I mentioned before when I made that decision, I view Kemba as a starter.’’

Following the hideous 114-99 Garden rout by the Nuggets on Saturday, Thibodeau said there are two factors he looks at regarding decision-making: “Is the intensity part right? Is the execution part right?”

The Knicks are 11-12 so far this season. Their leading scorers are Julius Randle at 20.1 points per game, RJ Barrett at 14.0 ppg, and Evan Fournier at 13.3 ppg.

Brandon Ingram scores 40 in Pelicans loss to Rockets

The Pelicans keep racking up losses, but they enjoyed a nice performance from Brandon Ingram Sunday. Via the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

As the third quarter neared an end, Brandon Ingram drove to the basket and absorbed contact. He earned a trip to the free-throw line, where he scored his 32nd and 33rd points of the game.

Ingram scored a season-high 40 points, but on the second leg of New Orleans’ Texas two step, he received little help.

Ingram converted 15 of 28 field goals. His teammates combined to go 25 of 66.

The Pelicans lost to the Houston Rockets 118-108 on Sunday at Toyota Center.

They were unable to keep the positive momentum from their win over the Dallas Mavericks two nights earlier going, as they fell to the Rockets, one of the few teams that came into Sunday’s game below New Orleans (7-19) in the Western Conference standings.

Nuggets sign guard Davon Reed to 10-day contract

The Denver Nuggets yesterday (Saturday, December 4) signed guard Davon Reed to a 10-day contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced.

Reed, 6-5, 208, has appeared in seven games (all starts) this season with the Nuggets’ G-League affiliate Grand Rapids Gold, averaging 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.14 steals while shooting 42.9% from three in 35.8 minutes per game. He also played for the Nuggets in both this year’s preseason and Vegas Summer League entry.

Reed, 26, has appeared in 31 career NBA games for the Phoenix Suns (21 games in 2017-18) and Indiana Pacers (10 games in 2018-19), owning career averages of 2.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in 9.3 minutes. He has appeared in 93 career G-League games (89 starts) for Northern Arizona, Fort Worth, Sioux Falls and Grand Rapids, averaging 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

The New Jersey Native was drafted with the 32nd overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft. He spent four years at the University of Miami where he was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team and ACC All-Third Team in 2017.

Reed will wear #9 for the Nuggets.