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DeMarre Carroll set to return for Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks, who through Thursday’s games have a 5-5 record, are regaining the services of rugged, versatile small forward DeMarre Carroll. Here’s the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting:

DeMarre Carroll set to return for Hawks

DeMarre Carroll is back.

The Hawks small forward will be active for tonight’s game against the Pistons and all indications are that he will start. Carroll missed the past four games with a groin strain. He went through full practices Wednesday and Thursday and shoot-around Friday.

Carroll declared himself 100 percent healthy following the morning practice.

“Coach Bud makes the final call but in my head I’m good to go,” Carroll said. “I think we did the proper treatment by taking the time off.”

Martell Webster making progress in eventual return for Wizards

With a 7-3 record through Thursday, the Washington Wizards have the 7th best winning percentage in the NBA; a fantastic start to a promising season. And the team is poised to get even deeper once Martell Webster becomes available to play, which should happen in the relatively near future. Here’s the Washington Post blog reporting:

martell webster

Bradley Beal’s return Wednesday wasn’t the only significant steppingstone for an injured member of the Washington Wizards this week. Martell Webster has been cleared for contact and was a limited practice participant Tuesday and Thursday.

Webster, 27, underwent his third back surgery in four years on June 27 and was given a recovery timetable of three to five months. He said his return remains “on schedule,” which would mean a return by the end of November. On Thursday, Webster participated in half-court work with contact.

“No anxiety. It’s more the mental game,” Webster said.

Cavs, Kevin Love still adjusting to each other

The new-look, talent-filled Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a modest 5-5 start; not entirely surprising, as team chemistry takes time to develop. Still, much improvement is needed. A big factor is power forward Kevin Love, who is a better offensive player than defensive, and yet is still being worked into the team’s scoring scheme. Here’s the Akron Beacon Journal blog reporting:

One of the problems the Cavs have to address is finding ways to get Kevin Love more comfortable in the offense. Love conceded after Wednesday’s loss to the Spurs he’s struggling to find a rhythm, perhaps because his percentage of looks from 3-point range are nearly double to what he’s accustomed.

Last season in Minnesota, when he shot more 3s than any other season in his career, they accounted for 36 percent of his total shots. His career percentage of 3-point attempts is 24 percent of his total looks. This season with the Cavs, 42 percent of his shots have been 3-pointers.

“We run specific stuff for Kevin and for other guys,” Cavs coach David Blatt said. “Earlier in the season when he was scoring the ball better, it was the same offense.”

Kevin Martin injured, suffers fracture in wrist

Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin injured, suffers fracture in wrist

Kevin Martin injured, suffers fracture in wrist

The 3-7 Minnesota Timberwolves, already facing an uphill battle in a rebuilding season, just lost a key piece of their squad to injury.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken at Mayo Clinic Square on Wolves shooting guard Kevin Martin’s right wrist revealed a fracture. He will be sidelined indefinitely. Further evaluation will be done over the next few days to determine the next course of action. 

The injury occurred at the 6:48 mark of the first quarter during Minnesota’s 115-99 win over New York on Wednesday, November 19.

Through nine games this season Martin is averaging 20.4 points on 48.3 percent shooting from the floor and 48.1 percent from the three-point line. He’s the leading scorer on the team, by far. Second in scoring is Thaddeus Young at 14.3 ppg. Everyone else on the team is averaging 10.0 ppg or less.

Nets hope to end losing streak Friday in OKC

The Brooklyn Nets are off to a disappointing start this season, but Friday night they head to Oklahoma City to face a Thunder team that continues to play without its two stars. The Nets need this. Here’s ESPN New York with more:

Nets hope to end losing streak in OKC Friday

The Brooklyn Nets have lost five straight games and are coming off an exhausting and grueling triple-overtime loss to Jason Kidd’s Bucks at Barclays Center.

Just as things could spiral downward, along comes a trip to Oklahoma City. The Nets hit the road to play the Thunder and Spurs on a two-game road swing knowing that wins over the Thunder the past two seasons have coincided with a big turnaround.

Last season, the Nets limped into Oklahoma City on Jan. 2 with a 10-21 record. Joe Johnson drilled a buzzer beater, propelling the Nets to win 10 of 11 games. That win jump-started the Nets, who won 33 of their next 46 games after the abysmal 10-21 start.

And two seasons ago on Jan. 2, the Nets were 16-15 before going into Oklahoma City and coming away with a win. They won 10 of 11 games and improved to 26-16.

Rodney Hood injury update: out 2-3 more weeks

Rodney Hood injury update

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz guard/forward Rodney Hood, who has missed the last six games due to a right foot injury:

Hood accompanied the team to Golden State, but will be listed as OUT indefinitely. He will continue to participate in treatment, conditioning and restricted weight training for approximately two-to-three weeks at which time he will be reevaluated.

The 22-year-old Hood (6-8, 215, Duke) has appeared in six games as a rookie, averaging 4.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 15.2 minutes. He was originally selected in the first round (23rd overall selection) of the 2014 NBA Draft, becoming the first former Duke player ever to be drafted by the Jazz.

Grizzlies waive Kalin Lucas and Hassan Whiteside

Grizzlies waive Kalin Lucas and Hassan Whiteside

The Memphis Grizzlies waived guard Kalin Lucas and center Hassan Whiteside, the team announced today. Both players had re-signed with the Grizzlies on Nov. 19.

Lucas (6-1, 186) recorded one steal in six minutes in his NBA debut Wednesday at Toronto. The 25-year-old originally signed with Memphis on Sept. 25 and played eight preseason games before being waived on Oct. 25. He re-signed with the Grizzlies on Nov. 4 and was waived on Nov. 9. The Michigan State product played 29 games (20 starts) last season for the NBA Development League’s Iowa Energy, now exclusively affiliated with the Grizzlies.

Whiteside (7-0, 275) originally signed with Memphis on Sept. 25 and saw action in five preseason contests before he was waived on Oct. 22. The 25-year-old, who played his first two NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings (2010-12), has not made a regular season appearance this season.

Dwight Howard recovering from knee strain

The Houston Rockets are off to a great start this season with a 9-3 record, though they’ve dropped two games in a row. Center Dwight Howard is in recovery from a minor knee issue. Here’s the Houston Chronicle with the latest:

Dwight Howard recovering from knee strain

The Rockets listed Dwight Howard as “day-to-day” to return from his strained right knee, but no one seemed to think that day would be Saturday.

Rockets coach Kevin McHale even said the Rockets would “probably” be without Howard when they face the Dallas Mavericks. The question that will only be answered then is whether his knee or the Rockets’ offense needs more therapy.

Howard had sat out Wednesday’s game against the Lakers with no announcement coming until minutes before tip and after Howard had been in uniform intending to play.