NBA News Blog – Page 112 – NBA Blog

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:

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.

Karl-Anthony Towns appears close to return for Timberwolves

Is Karl-Anthony Towns set to return from injury for the Minnesota Timberwolves? Maybe. Via the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

Towns hasn’t played since suffering a calf strain Nov. 29. Edwards has missed the last two contests with an ankle sprain suffered Friday in Chicago.

But Towns has been ramping up his activity of late and Edwards’ injury was not as serious as initially feared, so a Wednesday return, while surprising, also seemed plausible.

But Timberwolves coach Chris Finch poured a little cold water on the idea during his radio interview Tuesday with WCCO host Chad Hartman. Hartman directly asked Finch if he expected both Towns and Edwards to play against the Hawks.

“I do not,” Finch said. “They’re both in evaluation periods and they’re definitely on separate timelines. Whether those timelines end up coming together at the same point, I’m not sure. They’re very different.”

Both players were listed as questionable for Wednesday’s contest on the injury report released Tuesday afternoon by the team.

Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks suspended one game for receiving 18th technical foul of season

Memphis Grizzlies guard-forward Dillon Brooks has been suspended one game without pay for receiving his 18th technical foul of the 2022-23 season, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended without pay for an additional game.

Brooks received his most recent technical foul with 7:26 remaining in the third quarter of the Grizzlies’ 112-108 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on March 20 at FedExForum.

Brooks will serve his suspension March 22 when the Grizzlies play host to the Houston Rockets at FedExForum.