Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Knicks legend Willis Reed has passed away

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Willis Reed

“Willis Reed was the ultimate team player and consummate leader. My earliest and fondest memories of NBA basketball are of watching Willis, who embodied the winning spirit that defined the New York Knicks’ championship teams in the early 1970s. He played the game with remarkable passion and determination, and his inspiring comeback in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals remains one of the most iconic moments in all of sports. As a league MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP and member of the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams, Willis was a decorated player who took great pride in his consistency. Following his playing career, Willis mentored the next generation as a coach, team executive and proud HBCU alumnus. We send our deepest condolences to Willis’ wife, Gail, his family and his many friends and fans.”

NBPA Statement on the Passing of Willis Reed

“The NBPA is mourning the passing of our brother, Willis Reed. Willis will always be a legend of our game, leaving an incredible legacy of achievement as the backbone and Captain of the New York Knicks during his 10-year playing career. While his contributions on the court generated great success on an individual and team basis, his work ethic, commitment, and dedication to his craft were a model for future generations of players. He was a true professional in every sense of the word. We send our condolences to Willis’ family, friends, and the entire Knicks organization during this time.”

Ja Morant close to a return for Grizzlies

The Grizzlies should have Ja Morant back in action any day now. Via the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

Ja Morant addressed his Memphis Grizzlies teammates and coaches Monday after serving an eight-game suspension.

Since the Grizzlies didn’t having a morning shootaround, Morant took part in a playgroup, which is when the team gets low-minute players and assistant coaches to simulate game action through five-on-five play.

“Trying to get as much full-court action as possible, that was the main goal,” head coach Taylor Jenkins said.

The Grizzlies are “hopeful” that Morant can return Wednesday, Jenkins said. Memphis will practice Tuesday, where Morant will get his first work with the full team ahead of Wednesday’s home game vs. the Rockets.

FULL ARTICLE

Robert Williams set to return to action for Celtics

Via the Boston Herald:

Robert Williams was removed from the Celtics’ injury report on Monday, meaning he’s set to return to the lineup for Tuesday night’s game at the Kings after an eight-game absence due to a left hamstring strain. With 10 games left in the regular season before the playoffs, the final stretch will be critical for Williams as he regains his form and helps get the Celtics’ defense right in preparation for their championship pursuit.

Former Spurs guard Dejounte Murray receives warm reception in San Antonio

Via the San Antonio Express News:

Hawks guard Dejounte Murray said he appreciated the warm reception he received in his first game back at the AT&T Center.

Murray spent his first six NBA seasons with the Spurs before being dealt to Atlanta last summer.

“I felt like it was what it should be,” said Murray, who tallied 22 points in the Hawks’ defeat. “It showed nothing but love, both sides.”

The team began the afternoon’s festivities with a video thanking Murray for his time in San Antonio.

“I’m thankful, grateful,” Murray said. “It’s family forever.”

Warriors convert Anthony Lamb’s contract into a standard NBA contract

The Golden State Warriors yesterday converted forward Anthony Lamb’s contract into a standard NBA contract.

Lamb was originally signed by Golden State on October 5 and converted to a two-way contract on October 14.

Lamb, 25, has appeared in 50 games (three starts) with Golden State this season, averaging 7.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 20.1 minutes while shooting 47.5% from the field and 37.9% from 3-point range. He owns career averages of 6.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 18.8 minutes in 76 games (six starts) over three seasons with the Warriors, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.

Lamb has appeared in five games this season with Golden State’s G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, averaging 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.20 blocks in 32.0 minutes per game. Unselected in the 2020 NBA Draft, the 6’6 forward was named the 2020-21 G League Most Improved Player as a member of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Warriors sign Lester Quinones to two-way contract

The Golden State Warriors yesterday signed guard Lester Quinones to a two-way contract.

Quinones, 22, has appeared in 44 games this season for Golden State’s G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, averaging 19.8 points on 46.7% shooting from the field and 38.2% shooting from beyond the arc to go along with 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 31.2 minutes per game.

Quinones scored a season-high 46 points to go with 12 rebounds, four assists and one steal in Santa Cruz’s 132-129 win vs. the Salt Lake City Stars on March 15. The 6’4” guard has 10 double-doubles on the season and was named the NBA G League Player of the Week for games played from February 13 to February 26.

Unselected in the 2022 NBA Draft out of the University of Memphis, Quinones signed a 10-day contract with Golden State on March 2.

Utah Jazz sign Jarrell Brantley to 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz have signed forward Jarrell Brantley to a 10-day contract.

Brantley (6-7, 250, Charleston) joins the Jazz most recently having played the 2022-23 season with the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL in Australia, where he appeared in 39 games (all starts), averaging 15.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals in 28.7 minutes per contest. The native of Charleston, S.C. has additional international experience playing with UNICS Kazan of the VTB United league in Russia and Leones de Ponce of the BSN in Puerto Rico during the 2021-22 campaign.

This marks Brantley’s second stint with the Jazz, having played with the club as a two-way player during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, appearing in 37 total games, averaging 2.4 points and 1.3 boards in 6.3 minutes per contest. With the Salt Lake City Stars in 2019-20, Brantley averaged 18.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per contest, earning All-NBA G League First Team honors.

Drafted in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft (50th overall) by the Pacers from the College of Charleston, Brantley was acquired via trade by the Jazz on draft night. He was a four-year collegiate player (2015-19), earning four-time All-CAA conference honors.

Kings guard Kevin Huerter day-to-day

Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter underwent MRI imaging on Friday, March 17. MRI imaging revealed a mild strain of the popliteus muscle and no hamstring injury.

The injury was sustained during the first quarter of Thursday’s game versus the Brooklyn Nets.

Huerter is expected to be day-to-day and will be listed as questionable for Saturday’s game versus the Wizards.

Trail Blazers forward Justise Winslow out with ankle injury

Portland Trail Blazers forward Justise Winslow sustained a left ankle sprain Dec. 21 at Oklahoma City.

Post All-Star break, Winslow received a second opinion, and a subsequent bone morrow aspirate concentrate procedure was performed in March to address continued left ankle discomfort.

He will continue his rehab regimen and be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.

Wizards sign Xavier Cooks to multi-year contract

The Washington Wizards have signed Xavier Cooks to a multi-year contract.

“We welcome Xavier to the Wizards organization as a very intelligent, high-energy player that will add athleticism to our squad while being a great teammate,” said Wizards President and General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “He left a lasting legacy in the NBL to pursue his dream to play in the NBA and we feel he will be an excellent addition now and in the future.”

Cooks, a 6-8, 183-pound forward from Wollongong, Australia, has played five professional seasons overseas since graduating from Winthrop in 2018. Cooks began his international career in Germany with s.Oliver Baskets before transitioning to the National Basketball League of Australia, where he has played for the Sydney Kings each of the last four seasons. Cooks was named the 2022 Grand Final MVP, as well as the 2023 NBL MVP, where he has averaged 14.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in 36 games, leading Sydney to its second-straight NBL title.

Cooks played his collegiate basketball at Winthrop from 2014-18, leaving as the school’s all-time leading rebounder and third all-time leading scorer after competing in 127 games. He also led Winthrop to a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017 and was named the 2017-18 Big South Conference Player of the Year.