Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Former NBA star player and coach Paul Silas has passed away

STATEMENT FROM CHARLOTTE HORNETS CHAIRMAN MICHAEL JORDAN

Charlotte Hornets Chairman Michael Jordan released the following statement today regarding the passing of former Head Coach Paul Silas:

“Our Hornets family mourns the passing of Paul Silas. Paul was an incredible leader and motivator who served as our head coach on two occasions. He combined the knowledge developed over nearly 40 years as an NBA player and coach with an innate understanding of how to mix discipline with his never-ending positivity. On or off the court, Paul’s enthusiastic and engaging personality was accompanied by an anecdote for every occasion. He was one of the all-time great people in our game, and he will be missed. My thoughts, and the thoughts of our entire organization, are with his wife, Carolyn; his children, Paula and Stephen; and the entire Silas family.”

ABOUT PAUL SILAS

Paul Silas spent eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets across two different stints with the franchise. During his first tenure, in which he spent two-and-a-half seasons as an assistant coach before becoming interim head coach to conclude the 1998-99 season, he posted a record of 161-120 (.573). In each of his three full seasons, the Hornets won at least 44 games and made the playoffs, advancing to the second round in both 2000-01 and 2001-02. He returned to Charlotte to once again become interim head coach during the 2010-11 season and remained the team’s head coach in 2011-12.

Silas ranks third in franchise history in games coached (401), games won (193) and winning percentage (.481), and is the all-time leader in each of the three categories for playoff games with an overall record of 11-12 (.478) in 23 games total. He is the only head coach in franchise history to lead the team to three playoff appearances and two Eastern Conference Semifinals appearances. The team’s three straight playoff berths from 1999-2000 through 2001-02 is the only time in franchise history that the Hornets have gone to the playoffs in three straight seasons.

Following four years at Creighton in which he became one of only five players in NCAA history to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds in his college career, Silas played 16 seasons in the NBA, where he was a three-time NBA Champion (1973-74 Celtics, 1975-76 Celtics and 1978-79 SuperSonics) and a two-time NBA All-Star (1971-72 and 1974-75). He retired after the 1979-80 season and immediately became head coach of the San Diego Clippers, spending three seasons in the role. In 12 seasons overall as an NBA head coach, Silas had a career record of 387-488 (.442).

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS STATEMENT ON PAUL SILAS

Paul Silas served as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2003-05. His engaging presence and huge personality inspired legions of NBA players and coaches. We send our deepest condolences to the Silas family and everyone that loved him. Rest in power Coach!

Hawks guard Dejounte Murray injury update: ankle sprain

Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, who suffered a left ankle injury during the first quarter of last night’s game at New York, underwent an MRI earlier today in New York. The MRI confirmed a left ankle sprain with associated swelling.

Murray will be out approximately two weeks and his return to play will be updated as appropriate.

Jazz guard Collin Sexton injury update: mild hamstring strain

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton:

Sexton was examined Thursday by the Utah Jazz medical staff and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) testing. The MRI revealed a mild hamstring strain in his right leg. He will be reevaluated in one week.

Sexton (6-1, 192, Alabama) is in his fifth NBA season and first with Utah, where he’s averaging 14.3 points on 49.3 percent from the field, 3.0 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per contest during the 2022-23 season.

Timberwolves sign Matt Ryan, waive A.J. Lawson

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed forward Matt Ryan to a two-way contract.

And in a preceding move, the Wolves waived guard A.J. Lawson.

Ryan, 25, most recently played 12 games this season for the Los Angeles Lakers where he averaged 3.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 10.8 minutes per game. His best game of the season came on Nov. 2 at New Orleans after finishing with a career-high 11 points, including connecting on three three-pointers and two rebounds. Ryan played one game for the Boston Celtics in 2021-22 and totaled three points and one steal. The 6-6 forward played in 30 career G League games (20 starts) and averaged 19.4 points on 46.9% shooting, including 41.3% from deep, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

The White Plains, N.Y. native spent time at Notre Dame, Vanderbilt and ultimately finished his collegiate career at Chattanooga. In 134 college games (62 starts), Ryan totaled 1,058 points, 333 rebounds and 121 assists.

Ryan will wear #37 for the Timberwolves, becoming the first player in franchise history to sport #37.

Tons of traveling and carrying calls made in Cavs at Knicks game

Via the New York Post:

Julius Randle was still stunned 30 minutes after the game had finished.

Fourteen traveling and carrying calls were made in the Knicks’ 92-81 win over the Cavaliers on Sunday night, the most in an NBA game this season.

“I’ve never seen that in my life,” the Knicks forward said…

The 14 travels and carries were the most in a game in the last 25 years, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Since it is a play-by-play stat, that type of information is not readily available for all of NBA history, and Elias couldn’t go back any further.

FULL ARTICLE

Suns guard Chris Paul may return to action soon

Via the Arizona Republic:

Chris Paul was putting in work after Saturday’s practice.

Shooting. Sweating. Scowling.

He’s still out with what the Phoenix Suns are saying is a sore right heel, but Paul had his game face on during the post practice workout to signal he’s itching to return to the court.

“Absolutely,” Paul said. “Getting close.”

Paul will miss his 13th consecutive game Sunday at San Antonio. The veteran All-Star point guard last played Nov. 7 at Philadelphia when he grabbed at his heel trying to get around a Paul Reed screen.

FULL ARTICLE

Anfernee Simons scores 45 points in Blazers win over Jazz

The Trail Blazers beat the Jazz in Utah 116-111 yesterday. Here’s a big reason why, via the Deseret News:

Anfernee Simons put up a career-high 45 points on the Jazz with 33 points coming in the first half alone. Speaking of 33, that’s how many points Jerami Grant finished with on Saturday night. With Damian Lillard, Josh Hart and a few others from the Blazers roster sidelined because of injury or illness, Simons and Grant stepped up to the plate and gave the Jazz a tough time all night.

The Blazers are still without injured guard Damian Lillard.

FULL ARTICLE

Heat guard Victor Oladipo hopes to make season debut soon

Via the Miami Herald:

Heat guard Victor Oladipo isn’t inclined to offer a timetable for precisely when he will make his season debut after yet another injury to one of his knees.

He won’t play when the Heat concludes a four-game road trip Monday against the Grizzlies in Memphis (8 p.m., Bally Sports Sun).

But he’s optimistic that he’s getting closer to a return.

“Hopefully soon,” he said Friday in Boston of a targeted date for his return from a left knee injury that has sidelined him since late in preseason.

FULL ARTICLE

Moses Moody leaps on rare playing time opportunity for Warriors

Via the San Jose Mercury News:

Moses Moody took full advantage of a rare opportunity on Saturday night.

Klay Thompson out for the latter leg of the Warriors’ back-to-back left 17 minutes of playing time for Moody, who has been squeezed out of a rotation job this year due to an overflow of players at his position.

Though Moody finished with a team-worst minus-16, he went 3-for-3 from 3 and 4-for-5 overall. His last two 3-pointers created much-needed separation as the Houston Rockets chipped the Warriors once-25-point lead down to five. The Warriors pulled away for a 120-101 win, in part, because Moody was ready.

“I mean, the guy hasn’t played in a month, and he’s been working so hard every single day going full bore getting his work in the weight room and on the floor,” Kerr said.

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