Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Timberwolves sign Jaylen Clark

The Minnesota Timberwolves recently signed guard Jaylen Clark.

Clark, 6-5, has appeared in 17 games (three starts) for the Timberwolves this season, averaging 5.1 points on 45.5% shooting, including 42.9% from deep, 1.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 15.7 minutes per game. In the Timberwolves 127-114 win over the Houston Rockets on Feb. 6, Clark finished with a season-high 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three, marking his first career game with 15+ points. He became the first rookie in franchise history to knock down four or more threes in a game since Anthony Edwards had five three-pointers vs. Dallas on May 16, 2021.

The Riverside, Calif. native has appeared in 20 total NBA G League games this season with the Iowa Wolves (all starts), owning averages of 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.6 steals in 32.8 minutes per game. Clark led Iowa against Santa Cruz on Jan. 4 with a season-high 32 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field, knocking down a season-high six three pointers, dishing out seven assists and coming away with a game-high five steals.

The UCLA product was selected by the Wolves with the 53rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and missed the entire 2023-24 NBA season due to Right Achilles Tendon Rupture Rehabilitation. During his three years at UCLA, Clark was named the 2022-23 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, 2022-23 NABC Defensive Player of the Year and 2022-23 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, the school’s first defensive player of the year winner since Russell Westbrook in 2007-08.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will not return to coaching this season

STATEMENT FROM SAN ANTONIO SPURS HEAD COACH GREGG POPOVICH:

“I’ve decided not to return to the sidelines this season. Mitch Johnson and his staff have done a wonderful job and the resolve and professionalism the players have shown, sticking together during a challenging season, has been outstanding. I will continue to focus on my health with the hope that I can return to coaching in the future.”

Injury update on Heat forward Nikola Jovic

The Miami HEAT announced today that forward Nikola Jović was evaluated by chief of hand surgery Dr. Elizabeth Ann Ouellette in collaboration with HEAT team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Doctors Hospital Surgery Center in Miami. It was determined that Jović suffered a fracture in the second metacarpal of his right hand. He will be in a splint and re-evaluated in four weeks. He suffered the injury against the Milwaukee Bucks this past Sunday on February 23.

Jović has appeared in 46 games (10 starts) with the HEAT this season averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 25.1 minutes while shooting 45.6 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from three-point range and 82.8 percent from the foul line. He has scored in double-figures 27 times this season, including four 20-point games, and has led the team in plus/minus a team-high eight times.

Nets sign Kendall Brown to two-way contract

The Brooklyn Nets have signed forward Kendall Brown to a two-way contract.

Brown (6’8″, 200) has appeared in 20 regular season games (18 starts) this season with Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, and holds averages of 16.1 points on 53.5 percent shooting from the floor, 38.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 78.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals in 36.3 minutes per contest. The 21-year-old also saw action in 14 Tip-Off Tournament games (nine starts) with Long Island and averaged 16.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists across 32.3 minutes per game.

Brooklyn’s roster now stands at 18 players with three two-way players.

Trail Blazers March 9 game will be a Bill Walton Tribute Night

The Portland Trail Blazers have announced plans for the special Bill Walton Tribute Night game on March 9 when the team takes on the Detroit Pistons. The game serves as a special night to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a truly beloved Trail Blazer, Bill Walton. Tickets are available for purchase at Trailblazers.com/walton and all in attendance are encouraged to wear tie-dye.

Walton will be honored throughout the night with in-game videos looking back on his historic Hall of Fame career and impact on and off the court.

Members of the Walton family will be in attendance and involved in various in-game moments, as well as Trail Blazers alumni, including members of the 1977 Championship team, that played alongside “Big Red”.

Fans attending the game will receive a special Bill Walton tie-dyed headband upon entering Moda Center.

Cavaliers sign Javonte Green

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard/forward Javonte Green, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Green (6-4, 220) has played in 50 games (18 starts) for the New Orleans Pelicans this season, averaging 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.10 steals and 0.60 blocks in 21.8 minutes. Green, who was waived by New Orleans on Feb. 20, has registered 14 multi-steal performances this season, including a career-high five steals versus Sacramento in his final game with the Pelicans on Feb. 13. He ranked second on the Pelicans in both total steals (55) and blocks (30) and has scored in double figures on seven occasions this season.

In his six NBA seasons with Boston, Chicago and New Orleans, Green has appeared in 245 games (73 starts) with career averages of 5.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.85 steals in 17.4 minutes. He has reached double figures in scoring in 36 games throughout his career and has four 20-point games, including a 25-point, 13-rebound effort versus New York on April 5, 2024. Additionally, Green has appeared in six career NBA postseason contests. The undrafted pro out of Radford University was named the Big South Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and finished as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,064), steals (245) and games played (133) and ranked second in points (1,911).

Green will wear #8 for the Cavaliers.

Luka Doncic puts up big game in Lakers win over Nuggets

Per the Denver Post:

JJ Redick’s challenge to Luka Doncic in Denver was of the emotional variety. But he knew it would probably translate to the statistics.

“I want at least one blackout episode where he’s screaming indiscriminately at no one in particular because he’s excited,” the first-year Lakers coach said Saturday before facing the Nuggets. “That means he’s back. That’s the Luka I know. The killer.”

Back from what, exactly? Doncic’s recent calf injury, yes, but also the mental malaise associated with getting traded away from a city where he thought he would play his entire career. It’s still sinking in throughout the basketball world that Luka is a Laker — that the Dallas Mavericks would choose to ship off their 25-year-old franchise cornerstone.

As Doncic processes it all, he’s been struggling by his standards. But not on Saturday. The Slovenian point guard went for 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals to lead the Lakers in their 123-100 win at Ball Arena.

Wizards sign Jalen McDaniels to 10-day contract

The Washington Wizards have signed forward Jalen McDaniels to a 10-day contract.

In a related move, Washington released guard Erik Stevenson from his 10-day contract.

McDaniels (6-9, 190) is a 27-year-old forward in his sixth NBA season. He has appeared in 248 regular season NBA games for the Toronto Raptors (2023-24), Philadelphia 76ers (2023), and Charlotte Hornets (2019-23), recording career averages of 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 18.3 minutes per game.

A native of Seattle, McDaniels spent two seasons at San Diego State (2017-19) before being drafted in the second round with the 52nd overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

In 26 games (all starts) for the Capital City Go-Go this season, McDaniels is averaging 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He has notched three double-doubles and has scored 10+ points in 17 games this season, while leading the Go-Go in rebounds per game (min. 10 games).

76ers sign Alex Reese to two-way contract

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed Alex Reese to a two-way contract.

This season, Reese has appeared in 16 games (15 starts) for the Rip City Remix – the G League affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers – averaging 19.3 points on 49.4-percent shooting from the floor. He’s connected on 61 three-pointers on the season (tied for fourth-most in the G League), while shooting 42.1-percent on over nine attempts from deep per game.

He’s connected on 61 three-pointers on the season (tied for third-most in the G League), while shooting 42.1-percent on over nine attempts from deep per game.

The Alabama product has appeared in 48 career G League games for Rip City over the last two seasons, averaging 15.2 points and 5.8 rebounds. He holds a career 41.8-percent mark from three-point range on 7.3 attempts per game.

Following his four collegiate seasons at Alabama, Reese played professionally for Amicale Steinsel in Luxembourg, before returning to play stateside.

Reese will wear No. 65 for the 76ers.

Injury updates on Anthony Davis and two other Mavericks players

The Dallas Mavericks yesterday (Thursday) issued the following injury updates:

Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis, who suffered a left adductor strain on Feb. 8 against Houston and missed the team’s final three games before the All-Star break, is making good progress. Davis will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Mavericks forward P.J. Washington Jr., who suffered a right ankle sprain on Feb. 8 against Houston and missed the team’s final three games leading up to the All-Star break, returned to practice this afternoon. His return to game action will be based on his continued progress, as such he will be listed as questionable for Friday’s game against New Orleans.

Mavericks center Dwight Powell, who suffered a right hip strain against Oklahoma City on Jan. 17, participated in non-contact activities during practice today and a controlled contact session after. He will be listed as doubtful for Friday’s game against New Orleans.