Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Celtics interim coach Joe Mazzulla will coach Team Giannis in 2023 NBA All-Star Game

Boston Celtics interim head coach Joe Mazzulla and his staff will coach Team Giannis in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 19 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.

The Celtics clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference on Jan. 30 with a 36-15 overall record and own the highest win percentage in the NBA (.706). Boston ranks third in the NBA in points per game (117.8) and owns the highest plus/minus of any team while holding opponents to an average 112.3 points per game.

Mazzulla becomes the eighth coach in Celtics history to be given the honor of coaching an NBA All-Star Game, joining: Brad Stevens (2017), Doc Rivers (2008, 2011), Chris Ford (1991), K.C. Jones (1984-1987), Bill Fitch (1982), Tom Heinsohn (1972-1974, 1976) and Red Auerbach (1957-1967).

This is only the third time in the last 24 seasons that an All-Star team will be guided by a first-year NBA head coach.

Pacers sign Myles Turner to contract extension

The Indiana Pacers have signed center Myles Turner to a multi-year contract extension.

Per the Indianapolis Star, “Turner received approximately $58 million in new money through the 2025-26 season. According to news reports, Turner renegotiated his contract to add $17.1 million this year in addition to approximately $41 million over the next two seasons.”

Turner, who was originally selected by the Pacers with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft has appeared in 473 career regular-season games, posting averages of 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 28.8 minutes per game. Additionally, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team and was selected to participate in the 2017 NBA Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star weekend. Turner led the league in blocked shots per game (2.7) and total blocked shots (199) during the 2018-19 season, and then again led the league in blocked shots per game (3.4) in the 2020-21 season. He is currently fourth all-time in Pacers history in blocked shots (1,086) and is second all-time in blocked shots per game (2.3).

In 2015, Turner introduced the W.A.R.M. (“Work As Role Models”) initiative, which was created to provided assistance and resources to those less fortunate, particularly those experiencing homelessness. His support of the W.A.R.M. program will continue this season when he hosts an event with his “Turner’s Block” fan section to create and assemble wellness kits for distribution following the Pacers game vs. Cleveland on Sunday, February 5, 2023.

Kings sign Deonte Burton to 10-day contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed Deonte Burton to a 10-day contract.

Burton joins the Sacramento Kings from the Stockton Kings (11-3), the Kings G-League affiliate, where he’s averaged 12.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 54.5 percent from the field through the regular season.

The 28-year-old has seen action in 71 regular season NBA games. Burton, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native played for the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2018-2020.

Rockets coach Stephen Silas frustrated after latest loss

Via the Houston Chronicle:

Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas isn’t one to lose his cool as he guides the NBA’s second-youngest roster. But Silas’s frustration was palpable Wednesday night after Houston’s 108-103 loss to Washington’s Wizards.

The Rockets appeared well on their way to the team’s first winning streak since mid-December as they leapt out to a 55-36 lead late in the second quarter. But as has become all too common this season, Houston couldn’t hang on in the second half. Washington began to cut into the Rockets’ lead at the end of the third quarter, and in the final frame, the Wizards went on a furious 23-4 run to secure a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Such a poor second half performance irked Silas as he spoke to the media postgame.

“Late third quarter we got away from the things that are about winning, about building winning habits, about taking the right shots, about making the right pass,” Silas said. “We’re not a team that can take anything for granted. It’s just disappointing. It’s actually unacceptable.”

The Rockets are 11-37 this season, which is the worst record in the league.

Their leading scorers so far in 2022-23 are Jalen Green at 22.1 PPG, Kevin Porter Jr. at 19.2 PPG, and Alperen Sengun at 15.4 PPG.

Brandon Ingram returns to action for the Pelicans

Via the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

At the end of the first half, Brandon Ingram lined up a 3-point attempt from the right wing. His shot glanced off the rim, and he reacted by tossing a towel into the stands.

In his first game back after two months away, Ingram understandably showed signs of rust while scoring 13 points.

Ingram did not get much help in his return as the Pelicans fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-102 on Wednesday at Smoothie King Center. It was the slumping Pelicans’ sixth straight defeat…

Ingram, who missed 29 consecutive games with a left toe contusion, shot 4 of 18 from the field. He also grabbed five rebounds and handed out five assists in 26 minutes. He was at his best in the fourth quarter, when he scored six points.

The leading Pelican scorers so far in 2022-23 are Zion Williamson at 26.0 PPG, CJ McCollum at 21.1 PPG, Ingram at 20.8 PPG, and Jonas Valanciunas at 14.8 PPG. The team is now 26-23.

Jazz forward Micah Potter out with elbow injury

Utah Jazz two-way forward Micah Potter was examined Jan. 21 by the Utah Jazz medical staff and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) testing. The MRI revealed loose body fragments in his right elbow.

Potter will undergo surgery to remove the loose body fragments from his elbow on Jan. 27 and be reevaluated in four to six weeks.

Potter (6-10, 248, Wisconsin) has seen action in three games for the Jazz in 2022-23, averaging 1.3 points and 1.0 boards in 4.7 minutes per contest. With the Salt Lake City Stars, he’s played in 12 Showcase and regular season games, with averages of 14.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 29.3 minutes per game.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson injury update: he will be re-evaluated again in two weeks

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson was recently re-evaluated for his right hamstring injury. The re-evaluation showed that Williamson’s hamstring is healing as expected and he is making progress with his recovery.

Williamson will continue his rehabilitation process, which includes strengthening his hamstring and gradually progressing to more movement.

He will be re-evaluated again in two weeks.

Williamson, who sustained a right hamstring strain on January 2 at Philadelphia, has missed the last 10 games for the Pelicans. He holds season averages of 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game in 29 contests.

Grizzlies center Steven Adams injured, out with PCL sprain in right knee

Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams has been diagnosed with a PCL sprain in his right knee, which was sustained during the January 22 game against the Phoenix Suns.

Adams is expected to be sidelined 3-5 weeks.

Per the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “the injury was suffered on the last play of Sunday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns. Adams didn’t play Monday against the Sacramento Kings due to knee soreness but was seen limping as he left the locker room following the Grizzlies’ loss.”

Sacramento Kings sign General Manager Monte McNair to contract extension

The Sacramento Kings have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with General Manager Monte McNair.

The contract for Kings Assistant General Manager Wes Wilcox has also been extended.

“This has been an exciting season and I’m proud to have the opportunity to continue building a winning franchise in Sacramento,” said Kings General Manager Monte McNair. “I am especially grateful to Vivek, the entire Kings organization and the fans for supporting me every step of the way. I’d like to thank our players and coaches for their hard work on and off the court. And I’m excited to have Wes Wilcox’s continued counsel and partnership, along with the rest of our fantastic front office and staff. We recognize we have more work to do, and I look forward to what’s ahead.”

“Monte is an integral part of this organization, and I am thrilled to announce his extension,” said Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “Since joining the Kings, Monte and Wes have proven to be thoughtful and strategic decision makers who have shown their ability to execute a long-term vision for the team. The work continues, and I have confidence in this front office to keep driving our efforts forward.”

Since becoming General Manager of the Kings prior to the 2020-21 season, McNair has made several moves to bolster the roster. McNair extended De’Aaron Fox in 2020 before drafting Davion Mitchell with the ninth selection in the 2021 NBA Draft. McNair went on to add two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, who currently leads the league in rebounding and double-doubles, and Trey Lyles via trade in February 2022. Additionally, McNair hired Head Coach Mike Brown in May 2022 and selected Keegan Murray fourth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft before adding Kevin Huerter via trade and signing Malik Monk in free agency. The Kings currently sit third in the Western Conference (27-19).

With those moves, McNair has orchestrated one of the most prolific offensive teams in the NBA this season and helped guide Sacramento to their best start since the 2004-05 season. Offensively, the Kings rank first in scoring (120.3 PPG), second in efficiency (117.9), third in field goal percentage (49.5%), fourth in assists (27.2 APG), seventh in made 3-pointers (630) and ninth in 3-point field goal percentage (37.1%). Sacramento has scored 130 points or more in 11 games, leading the NBA, and made 20+ 3-pointers in four games this season, including a franchise record 23 triples versus Orlando on January 9, 2023.

Before taking the helm in Sacramento, McNair was a member of the Houston Rockets front office since 2007, which included a promotion to Assistant General Manager in 2018. Throughout his 13 years in Houston, McNair was involved with all aspects of player evaluation, including trade, free agency and the Draft.

Wizards trade Rui Hachimura to Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired forward Rui Hachimura in a trade with the Washington Wizards for guard Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

The Wizards acquired Nunn, a 2023 second round pick (via Chicago), the less favorable of the 2028 second round picks of Los Angeles and Washington and Los Angeles’ own 2029 second round pick from the Lakers. Washington also generates a trade exception in the exchange.

“We are excited to welcome Rui and his family to the Los Angeles Lakers,” said Pelinka. “Adding both size and depth to the wing position has been a goal, and the chance to accomplish that by acquiring a player with Rui’s two-way skills and upside was an opportunity that doesn’t present itself often. We want to thank Kendrick Nunn and his family for his time as a Laker, and we wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

Hachimura (6’8”, 230) has appeared in 30 games for Washington this season, averaging 13.0 points (.488 FG%, .337 3P%), 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 24.3 minutes per game. In 177 career NBA games (118 starts) across four seasons (2019-23) with the Wizards, the 24-year-old has averaged 13.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 27.8 minutes, shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from 3-point range. Hachimura, who received All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2020, has played in five career playoff games (all starts) with the Wizards, averaging 14.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 34.6 minutes per game.

The Japan native was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after a three-year collegiate career (2016-19) at Gonzaga University. In his final season as a junior, Hachimura appeared in 37 games and averaged 19.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 30.2 minutes per contest on his way to being named a consensus First Team All-American.

“Kendrick has shown the ability to be a solid perimeter threat who can provide instant offense as a reserve,” said Wizards President Tommy Sheppard. “He has proven to be a valuable contributor during his young career, most notably as key role player helping Miami make a run to the Finals.”

Nunn, a 6-3 guard in his third NBA season, holds career averages of 13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 162 games with the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. He has appeared in 39 games (two starts) this season in Los Angeles, averaging 6.7 points per game. Nunn had appeared in every game for the Lakers during the month of January, scoring a season-high 23 points in a win over Atlanta on January 6 and averaging 10.5 points on .474 shooting from the field in 18.3 minutes per game.

Nunn was selected as a member of the 2019-20 All-Rookie First Team while with Miami after averaging 15.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, helping Miami to an NBA Finals appearance in the NBA Bubble. The Chicago native followed his rookie campaign by averaging 14.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in 2020-21 with Miami before missing the entire 2021-22 campaign with a right knee bone bruise.