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Matt Barnes suspended over incident with Derek Fisher

Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes has been suspended for two games without pay for engaging in a physical altercation with and threatening New York Knicks’ Head Coach Derek Fisher, the NBA announced today. The altercation occurred on October 3, 2015 in Redondo Beach, CA. The NBA conducted its own investigation into the matter.

Barnes’ suspension will begin when the Grizzlies face the Miami Heat on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at FedExForum.

On October 7, 2015 the New York Post reported: “Knicks coach Derek Fisher was attacked in Los Angeles by NBA bad boy Matt Barnes, who drove 95 miles to “beat the s—t out of him” when he found out Fisher was romancing his estranged wife, sources told The Post on Wednesday. The 6-foot-7 Barnes, who now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, made a fast break from his team’s California training camp Saturday when he was tipped off that Fisher was making time with sultry “Basketball Wives LA” star Gloria Govan in the home Barnes once shared with her.”

Eric Bledsoe suffers torn meniscus in left knee

Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe has sustained a torn meniscus in his left knee. The injury occurred during last night’s game against Philadelphia and a subsequent MRI revealed the tear.

Bledsoe will undergo surgery Tuesday, December 29. The surgery will be performed by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tom Carter.

The sixth-year guard is averaging career-highs of 20.4 points, 6.1 assists and 2.0 steals, in addition to 4.0 rebounds and 34.2 minutes in 31 games this season, his third with the Suns.

Tiago Splitter sustains calf strain

Atlanta Hawks center Tiago Splitter left last night’s game versus New York due to right lower leg muscle soreness and did not return. Further examination revealed a mild right calf strain. Splitter did not travel with the team to Indiana and is out for the next two games. His status will be updated as appropriate.

Alec Burks suffers fractured left fibula

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks:

$Alec Burks suffers fractured left fibula$

Burks (6-6, 211, Colorado) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on his left leg this morning at University of Utah Health Care’s Orthopaedic Center. Following today’s examination, Jazz physicians Dr. Travis Maak and Dr. David Petron confirmed that Burks suffered a fractured left fibula. Burks was also previously diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms by the Jazz medical staff.

Both injuries resulted from a fall suffered after being fouled during a shot attempt with 34.6 seconds remaining in the second quarter of Saturday night’s game vs. the Los Angeles Clippers.

No surgery is required and Burks will remain out indefinitely. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.

One of three players to have appeared in every game this season for the Jazz, the fifth-year guard is averaging a career-high 14.3 points (third on the team) on a career-best 38.7 percent three-point shooting, with 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 27.1 minutes in 28 games (three starts). His 14.4 points per game as a reserve rank third in the NBA.

Hawks shining with Kent Bazemore as starter

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting on the Hawks, who are 20-12, which is the second best record in the Eastern conference:

Hawks doing well with Kent Bazemore as starter

Kent Bazemore downplays his move back into the Hawks starting lineup.

However, the team’s record is hard to ignore.

The Hawks are 15-5 with Bazemore in the starting lineup, including their current six-game win streak. The run began one game after he was re-inserted on Dec. 14 in a home loss to the Heat even as Bazemore scored a season-high 28 points. The Hawks are 13-4 when Bazemore starts at small forward with the regular unit.

“Everything is starting to come together,” Bazemore said Saturday before the Hawks’ 117-98 win over the Knicks.

Wizards eye return of Bradley Beal

The Wizards (14-14) have gotten a team-high 19.8 ppg from shooting guard Bradley Beal this season. But Beal has played in just half of the team’s 28 games so far this season. Here’s CSN MidAtlantic reporting the latest:

If all goes according to plan with Bradley Beal, the Wizards are “hopeful” that the shooting guard will begin non-basketball activities this week.

Beal was diagnosed Dec. 11 with what the Wizards called “the beginnings of a stress reaction” in his lower right leg for the fourth time in his fourth NBA season.

“Everything looks good,” coach Randy Wittman said Sunday. “He feels good. … Maybe he’ll start doing something. Obviously, nothing on the court.”

Blake Griffin injured, will be re-evaluated in two weeks

The L.A. Clippers announced today that forward Blake Griffin suffered a partially torn left quad tendon during last night’s win over the Lakers. Griffin underwent an MRI this morning that revealed the injury.

The Clippers leading scorer did not accompany the team to Utah and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Griffin is averaging 23.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 30 games (all starts) this season for the Clippers.

Video: Larry Nance Jr scores on his own basket

The Lakers are having a tough season. Here’s Larry Nance Jr generously helping the wrong team:

And, here’s Larry Nance Jr on Twitter having fun with it:

Sorry @SHAQ this happened to be in my stocking today.. Maybe I should take up volleyball as a hobby

A fun Rajon Rondo, DeMarcus Cousins story

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting an old story about two key Kings:

Rajon Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins laugh about it now.

Cousins was a rookie known more for being a hothead than a hot talent. Rondo was an All-Star but also known for being a hothead.

So when Rondo’s Boston teammate Kevin Garnett tumbled and landed next to the Kings’ bench and Cousins stood over him, Rondo did what came naturally.

He shoved Cousins.

“That just was just him taking up for K.G.,” Cousins recalled recently. “I respect him for that.”

That respect has grown as the two became teammates this season.

Sixers trade for Ish Smith, waive Tony Wroten

Sixers trade for Ish Smith, and waive Tony Wroten

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today the team has acquired point guard Ish Smith from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for two second-round picks.

In a related move, the Sixers waived guard Tony Wroten.

We at InsideHoops.com think this move is good for Smith. After a very good November, he’s been benched in December. In Philly, he has a clear shot at a bigger role.

Smith, a five-year veteran, has appeared in 27 games this season and is averaging nine points, six assists and under two turnovers in 23 minutes per game. He is fifth in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.42-to-1), sixth in assists per 48 minutes (12.0) and ranks among the top 20 in assists per game. He is currently the only player in the NBA this season who has at least 150 assists while committing 45 or fewer turnovers.

Smith appeared in 25 games (starting 14) for the Sixers during the 2014-15 season, where he averaged 12 points, six assists, three rebounds and one steal in 27 minutes per game.