Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Nets guard Ben Simmons likely won’t play again this season

Via the NY Post:

During a reevaluation on Friday, injured Nets point forward Ben Simmons was found to have a nerve impingement in his back.

Until the Nets decide on the most effective long-term course of treatment, Simmons will continue to be out.

Yet with only nine regular-season games remaining and the Nets having stumbled into the play-in, it seems almost probable that the 26-year-old Simmons won’t play again until next year.

Simmons said in November that it would take him an entire year and a half to fully heal from a nerve injury.

FULL ARTICLE

Rockets sign D.J. Augustin

For the remainder of the season, the Houston Rockets have signed guard D.J. Augustin as a free agent.

Charlotte originally selected Augustin (6-0, 183) as the ninth overall choice in the 2008 NBA Draft. He has made 334 starts over 976 games and has a career average of 9.5 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.8 rebounds. Augustin had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.44 and a 39.6% 3-point shooting percentage over the previous two seasons.

This is Augustin’s second stint with the Rockets; he played in 34 games to begin last season and 20 games in the second half before leaving for the Los Angeles Lakers in March 2022.

Pistons sign Eugene Omoruyi for remainder of season

The Detroit Pistons have signed forward Eugene Omoruyi to a contract. This follows two 10-day-contract stints with the club.

Omoruyi, 6-7, 244, has averaged 8.8 points (46% FG), 3.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.7 steals in 21.3 minutes over 10 games with Detroit. He also appeared in 23 games (two starts) with Oklahoma City this season and averaged 4.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.6 steals in 11.8 minutes per game.

Per the Detroit News, “his presence has given Detroit another able body with so many of the team’s rotation players unavailable due to injuries. Omoruyi will receive plenty of time to show more of his skillsets with Isaiah Stewart sidelined for the majority of the rest of the season due to a left shoulder impingement and Jalen Duren’s availability in question because of cervical whiplash.”

A native of Orangeville, Ontario, Omoruyi holds career NBA clips of 5.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.6 steals in 37 games (five starts) over two NBA seasons with Dallas, Detroit and Oklahoma City. Omoruyi began his collegiate career at Rutgers University where he played three seasons. He played his final season at the University of Oregon where he was named All-Pac-12 First Team and helped the Ducks to the 2021 NCAA Sweet 16. In 121 career games, he averaged 9.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 22.8 minutes per game.

Ja Morant returns to action for Grizzlies

Ja Morant is back. And anyone who likes exciting basketball is better for it. Via the Commercial Appeal:

A storybook finish was in the making when the Memphis Grizzlies hosted the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

The electric FedExForum was magnified with the return of Ja Morant after serving an eight-game suspension. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said he wanted to keep Morant in the low 20s of minutes. His math worked out perfectly when Morant entered the game with 4:20 left in the fourth quarter after playing 19 minutes.

Morant entered the game with a lineup that included Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard and Santi Aldama, and the Rockets’ defense had no answers. The Grizzlies pulled away in the final minute to secure a 130-125 victory against the Rockets.

The Grizzlies are 45-27 this season, which is the 2nd best record in the Western conference.

Karl-Anthony Towns makes long-awaited return for Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns is finally back in action. Via the Pioneer Press:

After missing the previous 52 games with a calf strain suffered in late November, Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns made his much-anticipated return to action Wednesday in front of a packed Target Center crowd eager to see its all-star big back in uniform.

He did not disappoint.

While appearing to be short of wind at various points, Towns’ production was strong throughout. He made his first two 3-point tries and showed few to no signs of rust. Towns finished with 22 points on 8-for-18 shooting, and Minnesota outscored Atlanta by 13 during his 26 minutes of action.

And with 3.6 seconds left and Minnesotan trailing by a point, Towns received the ball in the middle of the floor. At that point, the big said, “the game was over.”

The Timberwolves are 37-37 this season, which ties them with the Thunder for the 7th best record in the Western conference.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson out at least two more weeks

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today the following medical updates:

Recent medical imaging on Jose Alvarado, who has missed the last 10 games due to a stress reaction in his right tibia, showed incremental improvement. He will continue his rehabilitation process and will be re-examined in 2-3 weeks.

Following re-evaluation on his right hamstring strain, Zion Williamson has been cleared to return to on-court activities. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Via the Times-Picayune:

Williamson has played in 29 games this season. He is averaging 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He was named an All-Star but was unable to play in the game because of injury.

The Pelicans had a 23-13 record before Williamson got hurt in the team’s first game of 2023. They have gone 12-24 in the new year, which is the third-worst record in the Western Conference during that time.

New Orleans has struggled to score without Williamson. It ranks 26th in points scored per 100 possessions since Williamson got hurt.

Paul George injured with sprained right knee

L.A. Clippers forward Paul George underwent imaging today that revealed a sprained right knee.

The team says he will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks.

Via the LA Times:

Within the Clippers, the update was taken with a measure of optimism. Still, the timing means the Clippers will navigate the rest of the regular season — nine games remain — without George, who leads the team in scoring, assists and steals. And there is no guarantee he will be back for the postseason — assuming the Clippers reach it.

The regular season ends April 9. The play-in tournament featuring teams the finish seventh through 10th in the Western Conference begins within days. The first round of the playoffs is expected to begin the weekend of April 15.

Jaylen Brown discusses his Celtics future

If you’re looking for a guarantee that Jaylen Brown and the Celtics will stick together for many years to come, prepare to be disappointed. Via Boston.com:

Jaylen Brown sent some Celtics fans into a panic with candid comments about his future in Boston earlier this week.

The 26-year-old wing, who will become a free agent in 2024, was noncommittal when asked during an interview with The Ringer about his plans once his contract expires.

“I don’t know. As long as I’m needed. It’s not up to me,” Brown said. “We’ll see how they feel about me over time and I feel about them over time. Hopefully, whatever it is, it makes sense. But I will stay where I’m wanted. I will stay where I’m needed and treated correct.”

This is no big deal. It’s too soon to worry. But keep this in the back of your mind once summer of 2023 free agency begins. And move it towards the front of your mind as the 2023-24 season progresses.

For additional quotes that paint a fuller picture, click that link above.

Hornets sign Nick Richards to multi-year contract extension

The Charlotte Hornets have signed center Nick Richards to a multi-year contract extension.

Per multiple reports, the extension is for three years, $15 million.

In 58 games (five starts) this season, Richards is averaging career highs in points (7.9), rebounds (6.1), blocks (1.1) and minutes per game (18.2). For his career, Richards has appeared in 126 games (10 starts), recording 5.0 points (62.9 FG%) and 3.6 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game.

Per ESPN.com, “Richards, a player development revelation under Charlotte coach Steve Clifford, was extension eligible until June 30.”

The Hornets acquired Richards, who was originally selected by the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft, via a draft night trade in exchange for a 2024 second-round draft pick. Richards signed a multi-year contract with the Hornets on Nov. 30, 2020.

Richards played three seasons (2017-20) at the University of Kentucky, averaging 7.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 18.2 minutes per game across 105 contests (70 starts). As a junior in 2019-20, he posted 14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game to lead the Wildcats to a regular-season SEC championship.

Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado remain out

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today the following medical updates:

Recent medical imaging on Jose Alvarado, who has missed the last 10 games due to a stress reaction in his right tibia, showed incremental improvement. He will continue his rehabilitation process and will be re-examined in 2-3 weeks.

Following re-evaluation on his right hamstring strain, Zion Williamson has been cleared to return to on-court activities. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.