Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Lakers re-assign Sun Yue to D-League

The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned guard Sun Yue to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League for the second time this season, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Sun, who became the 25th NBA player assigned to a D-League affiliate this season on March 6, played 4 games (4 starts), averaging 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.25 blocks in 36.0 minutes in his first stint with the D-Fenders.

Originally selected by the Lakers in the second round (40th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Sun signed with the Lakers the following summer (August 25, 2008) shortly after representing China as a member of the Men’s Olympic Basketball Team in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Making his NBA debut on December 7 versus Milwaukee with four points on 2-of-3 shooting in five minutes, Sun has appeared in 10 games with the Lakers this season, totaling six points, two assists, a steal and a blocked shot in 28 minutes.

Dwayne Wade out with hip strain

The Palm Beach Post (Chris Perkins) reports: Heat All-Star guard Dwyane Wade won’t play in tonight’s nationally-televised game at Boston due to a right hip injury. According to the Heat the injury is a right hip flexor strain. Wade said he reached the decision about 45 minutes prior to tonight’s 7 p.m. tipoff. Wade said the decision to sit out tonight’s game was “very tough. I can’t even describe how tough it is.”

Grizzlies recall Hamed Haddadi from D-League

For the second time this season, the Memphis Grizzlies have recalled center Hamed Haddadi from the NBA Development League’s Dakota Wizards, the club’s D-League affiliate, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

Haddadi posted 5.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.86 blocks in 17.0 minutes in seven games (two starts) in his second stint with the Wizards, where he was reassigned by the Grizzlies on Feb. 17.  Overall, the 7-2, 280-pound center has averaged 5.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.67 blocks in 17.4 minutes in 18 games (nine starts) with Dakota in his rookie season.

The Ahvaz, Iran native recorded two points and one rebound in four minutes in his NBA debut on Dec. 30 vs. Phoenix, becoming the first Iranian-born player to appear in an NBA game.  Haddadi has averaged 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 3.5 minutes through four games with Memphis this season.

Haddadi is expected to be in uniform tonight as the Grizzlies host the Denver Nuggets at 7 p.m. CST at FedExForum.

Wally Szczerbiak out 2-3 weeks

Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Wally Szczerbiak experienced a left knee sprain (MCL) during the third quarter of the Cavaliers game last night at The Q in Cleveland vs. Orlando.

He received an MRI this morning at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health and is currently projected to be Out for two to three weeks.

For the season, Szczerbiak is averaging 7.1 points and 3.0 rebounds on 44.7% shooting in 21.0 minutes per game.

Thunder assign DJ White to D-League

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced that the team has assigned forward D.J. White to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.

White, 22, has yet to appear in a game for the Thunder this season after undergoing initial jaw surgery on October 9, 2008. The 6-9 forward was cleared by team doctors on March 16th to resume full contact drills.

White was the 29th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft. The Thunder acquired White as a part of a draft day trade. He was the Big Ten Player of the Year as a senior at the University of Indiana where he averaged 17.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest.

Cavaliers assign Darnell Jackson to D-League

The Cleveland Cavaliers have assigned forward Darnell Jackson to the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today.

Jackson has played in 37 games for the Cavaliers this season and has averaged 1.0 point and 1.2 rebounds in 6.3 minutes per game. This is the second time Jackson has been assigned to the BayHawks this season. In his only appearance in Erie, Jackson scored a game-high 24 points on 10-14 shooting (.714) and grabbed six rebounds in 26 minutes in the BayHawks’ 101-89 victory over the Utah Flash on February 9th.

He will be available to play tonight for the BayHawks in their game versus the Austin Toros at 7 p.m. at the Tullio Arena in Erie.

The BayHawks are the D-League affiliate of the Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Josh Howard hopes to practice later next week

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that guard/forward Josh Howard will continue to treat and rehab his left ankle.  He will receive a cortisone injection this week and will attempt to practice with the team later next week. Arthroscopic surgery will be planned to address chronic issues regarding his ankle at a later date.

Howard (6-7, 210) has missed the last five games due to a sore left ankle.  In 45 games this season, Howard has averaged 18.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 32.3 minutes per game.

Knicks sign Demetris Nichols to second 10-day contract

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent guard Demetris Nichols has been signed to a second consecutive 10-day contract.

Signed to his first 10-day contract on Mar. 6, Nichols, 6-8, 216-pounds, has yet to appear in a game for New York.

The Knicks roster is currently at 14 players.

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