Inside Hoops – Page 993 – NBA Blog

CJ McCollum injures finger, out 4+ weeks

Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum sustained a fracture to his right index finger during Portland’s 102-93 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night at the Moda Center, it was announced today by the team.

The injury occurred at the 7:50 mark of the fourth quarter, when McCollum grabbed an offensive rebound and was subsequently fouled by Pelicans guard Eric Gordon.

McCollum will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Through 11 games, the second-year guard is averaging 5.0 points, 1.1 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 13.1 minutes of action. McCollum is also shooting 46% (11-for-24) from three-point range this season.

Iman Shumpert aims to cut down on fouls

Iman Shumpert aims to cut down on fouls

The New York Knicks are off to a 3-8 start this season. It’s disappointing, but with radical changes in their approach (especially on offense) it was presumed that the team would struggle early on. While the team is limited roster-wise, they still should get better as time goes on. As for key guard Iman Shumpert, his offense is improved this season. Now he just has to avoid fouls. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

Knicks combo guard Iman Shumpert is targeting to return from a sore hip Tuesday night against the Bucks after missing Sunday’s game and has one mission – cut down on fouls.

Ironically, Shumpert has been better on offense than on defense – his usual staple – partly due to excessive fouling.

Shumpert has excelled in the triangle offense: He is averaging 12.4 points and leads the team in shooting percentage at 50.5 percent. He’s also averaging 3.2 assists. Those are nice numbers for a guy looking for a new contract in July when he becomes a free agent for the first time.

But the defensive guard out of Georgia Tech has not been as demonic on the other side of the ball.

Thunder assign Grant Jerrett to D-League again

The Oklahoma City Thunder has assigned forward Grant Jerrett to the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

During the 2013-14 season with the Thunder’s D-League affiliate, Jerrett appeared in 27 games (25 starts) and averaged 15.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 29.3 minutes per contest. He is yet to appear in a game as a member of the Thunder.

The Thunder secured the rights to Jerrett on draft night after he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 40th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Lakers forward Ryan Kelly injured, out at least six weeks

Lakers forward Ryan Kelly injured, out at least six weeks with hamstring tear

Los Angeles Lakers forward Ryan Kelly, who suffered an injury to his right hamstring in the second quarter of last night’s game against the Golden State Warriors, had an ultrasound test and was examined this morning by Dr. Luga Podesta of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.

Results of the test show that Kelly has a tear of his right hamstring. He is expected to be out a minimum of six weeks.

Kelly has appeared in three games this season, averaging 3.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 0.33 steals in 8.2 minutes.

James Johnson suffers severe ankle sprain

Raptors forward James Johnson suffers severe ankle sprain

Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson sustained a severe right ankle sprain during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game versus Utah. There is no timetable yet for his return to basketball activity.

Johnson has averaged 7.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 19.4 minutes in 10 appearances as a reserve this season.

The Raptors return to action Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. versus Memphis at Air Canada Centre (TSN/Sportsnet 590 The FAN).

Kings recall Eric Moreland from D-League

Sacramento Kings recall Eric Moreland from D-League

The Sacramento Kings have recalled rookie forward Eric Moreland from the team’s NBA D-League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, it was announced today by General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

A 6-10, 218-pound forward from Oregon State, Moreland was assigned to the Bighorns on November 4 and played in two games for the Bighorns. Morleand totaled 30 points (.619 FG%, 13-21 FG, 4-10 FT), 26 rebounds, three assists, five steals and one block in 58 minutes in starting both games. He led the Bighorns in rebounding in both games, recording two double-doubles.

Cavs recall Alex Kirk from D-League

The Cleveland Cavaliers have recalled center Alex Kirk from the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League team, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Kirk has appeared in two games for the Cavs this season.

Report: Kings will sign Rudy Gay to extension

The Sacramento Kings are off to a solid 6-4 start this season, and have a core that appears to be worth keeping in tact. Forward Rudy Gay is averaging 22.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists through 10 games. Here’s News 10 ABC reporting that the Kings and Gay have agreed to remain together for years to come:

The Sacramento Kings and forward Rudy Gay have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $40 million that runs through the 2017-18 season, according to two league sources.

Both sources spoke to News10 on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly and because no official announcement from the team had been made.

The three-year deal includes a player option in the third year, allowing Gay to become a free agent should he desire to do so.

Celtics recall Dwight Powell and James Young from D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled rookies Dwight Powell and James Young from the Maine Red Claws.

In the Red Claws 81-80 win over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on Sunday, Powell recorded 21 points on 9-16 (.563) shooting and a game-high 17 rebounds in 38 minutes, while Young scored 21 points and pulled down five rebounds in 36 minutes of action.

Sacramento Kings file game protest

The National Basketball Association announced today that the Sacramento Kings have protested the team’s 111-110 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on November 13 at FedExForum.

The basis for the Kings’ protest is that Courtney Lee’s game-winning shot should have been disqualified as having been made after time expired.

Under the protest procedures in the NBA Constitution, Memphis and Sacramento each will have an opportunity to submit evidence in support of its position and the protest will be decided by December 2.

According to the Associated Press, “Memphis won 111-110 on Thursday on Courtney Lee’s last-second basket. The play was reviewed on the court by officials. They not only checked whether Lee got the shot off before the buzzer, but whether the Kings tipped the inbounds pass. That would have started the clock earlier, causing time to run out before Lee’s attempt.”