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Rockets weekly notes: James Harden close to passing Calvin Murphy

Houston Rockets Weekly Notes

James Harden needs 59 points to surpass Calvin Murphy (17,949) for the second-most in franchise history… Hakeem Olajuwon is the Rockets all-time leading scorer with 26,511 points… Harden is averaging a league-best 34.3 ppg this season.

Jeff Green is averaging 18.3 points on 72.7% shooting over the past three games… he has scored in double-figures in five of his nine games as a Rocket while shooting 66.7% from the floor and 46.4% from 3-point range.

The Rockets have recorded at least 10 steals in 12 of the past 21 games and are averaging 9.8 spg over that span after only having 10+ steals twice in the 20 games prior while averaging 6.7 spg… Houston ranks fifth in the NBA with 8.4 spg this overall this season after finishing fifth with 8.5 spg in 2018-19.

Houston has scored 50+ points in the paint in two of the past three games after doing so once the seven games prior… the Rockets have scored 50+ points in the paint 25 times this season after doing so 19 times in 2018-19.

Gabe Vincent rejoins the Heat after time in G League

As part of his two-way contract, Gabe Vincent has re-joined the Miami Heat.

Vincent, who was signed by Miami to a two-way contract on January 8, has appeared in 10 games with the HEAT’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, this season helping them to an 8-2 record over that span while averaging 16.7 points, 1.9 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.00 steals in 24.3 minutes of action. He has shot 40 percent from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 from the foul line. Earlier this season he appeared in 20 games (three starts) with the Stockton Kings and averaged 23.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.30 steals and 31.8 minutes while shooting 46.9 percent from the field, 42.1 percent from three-point range and 89.7 percent from the foul line. Additionally, Vincent has appeared in five games with the HEAT this season, totaling 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal in 41:04 minutes of action.

Stephen Curry out for Sixers vs Warriors game with flu

Tonight on ABC TV, the Sixers visit a Warriors team that has spent the season losing massive amounts of games but recently got Stephen Curry back in action. But Steph’s return has been cut short, at least for tonight, as the superstar guard is out with the flu. Here’s the Bay Area News Group reporting:

Warriors guard Stephen Curry was diagnosed with the flu Saturday morning but is not showing signs of the coronavirus, according to team physician Dr. Robert Nied.

“This morning Stephen Curry was diagnosed with influenza A by a positive viral testing,” Nied said via a team statement. “We have identified his probable source contact who is not part of basketball operations. He has no specific risk factors for COVID-19. He has the seasonal flu. We have begun treatment for Stephen and instituted our team protocol for influenza exposure.”

The world is quite understandably nervous right now. We’re all staying calm and staying informed.

As for Steph, hopefully he’s fine soon.

Nets part ways with head coach Kenny Atkinson

The Brooklyn Nets have said goodbye to head coach Kenny Atkinson. A team statement says the two sides have “mutually agreed to part ways.”

Jacque Vaughn will serve as head coach for the remainder of the season.

“After discussions with Kenny about the progress of the season, we mutually agreed that a coaching change would be in the best interest of the team,” said General Manager Sean Marks. “This was an extremely difficult decision, however the organization believes it is one that is necessary at this time. Kenny was instrumental in developing our players and building the identity and culture we have become known for over these past four seasons. The foundation he helped put into place here is one that we will continue to build on in the coming seasons. We are forever grateful for all of Kenny’s hard work and dedication to the Nets and the Brooklyn community. Kenny, Laura and the Atkinson family will always remain a part of our Nets family and we wish them nothing but the best in the future.”

The New York Post:

The Nets lured free-agent prizes Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to town, but Durant has yet to suit up due to a torn Achilles suffered in last year’s NBA Finals. Meanwhile, Irving’s season officially ended this week after shoulder surgery and just 20 games. The rest of the team has been plagued by injury and inconsistency.

Atkinson compiled a 118-190 record in his three-plus seasons with Brooklyn. He finishes his tenure in Brooklyn ranked third in franchise history in games coached and fourth in wins.

Waiting game continues for eventual Clint Capela Hawks debut

The Hawks are about the future. And they took a big step in that direction with the addition of center Clint Capela. On paper, at least. On the court, Capela hasn’t started his Hawks career yet. He’s had a good seat at games. But remains out, injured, not ready to make a difference for Atlanta yet. This as the season is around six weeks away from ending.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution:

The 25-year-old center has been battling a nagging right heel injury since late December, and it has relegated him to the sideline since the Hawks acquired him in a four-team trade deadline deal Feb. 5.

“I’m not here to sit on the bench and clap my hands,” Capela, officially diagnosed with a right calcaneus contusion and plantar fasciitis, said at practice Thursday. “My job is to go out there and play and be dominant, as dominant as I can (be). So when I don’t do that, it’s hard.”

The Hawks (19-44) are obviously hoping for the same thing — a starting-caliber, rim-running center who can rebound the ball and bolster the team’s poor defense. But as Capela rehabs, it’s looking more and more like that will come to fruition next season instead of this one (which might not be the worst thing, since the Hawks, looking to become a competitive, playoff-bound team, sit 14th out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference standings).

At this point, there’s no reason for Capela to rush back, other than to get a jump on building chemistry for next season.

Nuggets sign Troy Daniels, who played for Lakers earlier this season

The Denver Nuggets signed guard Troy Daniels today.

Daniels, 6-4, 205, is a seven-year NBA veteran who has appeared in 41 games for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, averaging 4.2 points and 1.1 rebounds, shooting 39.2% from the field and 35.7% from three in 11.1 minutes per game.

Daniels has played in 333 career games (20 starts) for Houston, Minnesota, Charlotte, Memphis, Phoenix and Los Angeles, holding career averages of 6.6 points and 1.3 rebounds on 40.1% shooting from the field and 39.7% from three-point range.

The 28-year-old went undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft after spending four seasons at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Daniels will wear #30 for the Nuggets.

Stephen Curry returning tonight for Warriors

It’s been a lost season for the Warriors, but they’re getting a giant boost back tonight in the form of superstar guard Stephen Curry. Here’s NBC Sports Bay Area:

Steph Curry is making his long awaited return to the Warriors on Thursday night at Chase Center against the Toronto Raptors after missing the last 58 games. Coach Steve Kerr certainly hopes his two-time MVP can play in all of Golden State’s remaining 21 games, but back-to-back’s could be a different story.

“It’s all gonna be day-to-day,” Kerr said Wednesday night on 95.7 The Game’s “Damon, Ratto & Kolsky.” “We’ll see how he’s doing on the following day after the game and go from there. I think everything is really a possibility, but it will all be determined on Steph’s health.”

According to the Bay Area News Group, “Curry said he expects to be on a minutes restriction of between 24 and 28 minutes when he makes his return on Thursday against the Raptors.”

The Raptors clinch a 2020 playoff spot tonight if they win this game. It’ll be fun to see if Steph’s return can serve as a spoiler for that quest.

Pistons add guard Jordan McRae off waivers

The Detroit Pistons claimed guard Jordan McRae off waivers today.

McRae, 6-5, 179, averaged career highs in points (11.5 ppg), rebounds (3.3 rpg), assists (2.6 apg) and minutes (20.8 mpg) in 33 games (four starts) with Washington and Denver this season.

The Detroit News adds this:

Jordan McRae had a busy first 24 hours on the job after joining the Pistons on Wednesday. He barely had time to process that he was joining his third team this season before he was off a plane from Denver and headed to Little Caesars Arena.

He warmed up for the game and while team equipment manager John Coumoundouros was still preparing McRae’s jersey, the newest Piston, who was claimed off waivers, was still trying to find his way around Little Caesars Arena and get his bearings before Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In 119 career NBA games (nine starts), the Savannah, GA native has averaged 6.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists with Phoenix, Cleveland, Washington and Denver. He was drafted 58th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs.

McRae played four years at the University of Tennessee, where he averaged 13.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 114 games and was a two-time All-SEC selection. He averaged 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists as a senior.

Cavs sign Sir’Dominic Pointer to 10-day contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed guard/forward Sir’Dominic Pointer to a 10-day contract today.

Pointer (6-6, 192) has appeared in 41 games (13 starts) this season with the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League team, averaging 12.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 2.0 blocks in 25.9 minutes per game. Pointer played in Canton’s 108-106 double-overtime win over the Wisconsin Herd at Canton Memorial Civic Center this afternoon, tallying 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists, four steals and four blocks in 33 minutes of action. The St. John’s product was selected by the Cavaliers with the 53rd overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and has played three seasons with Canton, owning NBA G League career averages of 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.6 blocks in 23.0 minutes per game over 132 career contests (48 starts).

According to Cleveland.com, “Pointer was informed of the call-up shortly after the game and is expected to drive from Canton, so he can be available in time for Cleveland’s game against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.”

The Cavaliers’ roster now stands at 16, including two Two-Way players.

Caris LeVert scores 51 points against the Celtics

Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert wasn’t having a standout game last night in Boston against the Celtics. And then a switch was flipped, and he went absolutely wild, unleashing one of the most dramatic late-game performances we’ve seen in the NBA this season. Here’s the New York Post:

Caris LeVert led the way with a career performance to carry them to a 129-120 come-from-behind overtime win at TD Garden.

LeVert poured in a career-high 51 points, including 37 after the third quarter that saw the Nets trail by as much as 21.

The Nets hung up a team-record 51 points in the fourth quarter. LeVert had 26 of them, as well as every point for them in overtime as the Nets outscored the Celtics 11-2.

The Nets got 16 points and eight rebounds from Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, eight points and a game-high 15 rebounds from DeAndre Jordan and sparkplug play from little-used two-way Chris Chiozza.

The Nets are now 27-33, currently 7th in the Eastern conference, narrowly ahead of the 8th place Magic.

Kyrie Irving, who earlier Tuesday underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, and Kevin Durant, who isn’t playing at all this season, have to be excited to see LeVert’s ability and potential.