Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley and Bucks guard George Hill fined by NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley has been fined $20,000 and Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill has been fined $15,000 for their roles in an on-court altercation, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations.

Following a free throw attempt, Minnesota’s Taurean Prince and Milwaukee’s Serge Ibaka became entangled while jockeying for rebounding position. Beverley entered and escalated the altercation by shoving Ibaka from behind. Hill then continued the altercation by shoving Beverley.

The incident, for which Beverley and Hill each received a technical foul and were ejected, occurred with 2:11 remaining in the first quarter of the Timberwolves’ 138-119 victory over the Bucks on March 19 at Target Center.

Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic fined by NBA

Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic has been fined $40,000 for confronting a fan courtside and grabbing the fan’s cell phone and throwing it into the spectator stands, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations.

The incident occurred following the Trail Blazers’ 129-98 loss to the Indiana Pacers on March 20 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Warriors forward Draymond Green fined by NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been fined $25,000 for directing profane language toward a game official, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations.

Green received two technical fouls and was ejected with 6:50 remaining in the third quarter of the Warriors’ 110-108 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on March 20 at Chase Center.

Hornets sign guard Isaiah Thomas for remainder of 2021-22 NBA season

The Charlotte Hornets have signed guard Isaiah Thomas for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.

In seven games with the Hornets, Thomas has averaged 9.9 points and 2.0 assists per game after signing two 10-day contracts with the team. He joined Charlotte on Mar. 2 and played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks earlier this season. Thomas is posting 9.3 points and 2.0 assists in 17.4 minutes per game over 12 games during the 2021-22 season.

A two-time All-Star in 2016 and 2017, Thomas holds career averages of 17.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 28.6 minutes per game over 540 career games, including 362 starts. He was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 60th pick out of Washington in the 2011 NBA Draft and has played for Sacramento (2011-14), Phoenix (2014-15), Boston (2014-17), Cleveland (2017-18), the Los Angeles Lakers (2017-18, 2021-22), Denver (2018-19), Washington (2019-20), New Orleans (2020-21), Dallas (2021-22) and Charlotte.

Orlando Magic sign guard Jeff Dowtin to 10-day contract

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Jeff Dowtin to a 10-day contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Dowtin (6’3”, 185, 5/10/97) has played in five games this season with both Golden State and Milwaukee, averaging 1.2 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 6.2 minpg. He was originally signed by Orlando as a free agent on September 8 and appeared in three preseason games with the Magic, averaging 4.7 ppg. and 1.3 apg. in 8.7 minpg., before being waived on October 16. Dowtin was claimed off waivers and signed to a two-way contract by Golden State on October 18. He appeared in four games with the Warriors, averaging 1.5 ppg. and 1.8 rpg. in 7.0 minpg., before being waived on January 2. Dowtin was then signed to a 10-day contract by Milwaukee on January 7 and played in one game with the Bucks.

Dowtin has also appeared in 21 games (20 starts) in the NBA G League this season with Wisconsin and Lakeland, averaging 21.3 ppg., 6.1 apg., 4.2 rpg. and 1.38 stlpg. in 33.9 minpg., while shooting .568 (179-315) from the floor and .407 (35-86) from three-point range.

Dowtin has played in 36 career NBA G League games (20 starts) with Lakeland and Wisconsin, averaging 15.1 ppg., 4.6 apg., 3.1 rpg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 28.0 minpg., while shooting .550 (220-400) from the floor. Last season (2020-21), he played in 15 games with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 6.5 ppg., 2.5 apg. and 1.6 rpg. in 19.8 minpg., helping Lakeland capture the 2021 NBA G League championship.

Dowtin appeared in 128 career games (114 starts) during four seasons at the University of Rhode Island (2016-20), averaging 11.0 ppg., 3.7 apg., 2.9 rpg. and 1.03 stlpg. in 31.8 minpg., while shooting .361 (126-349) from three-point range. He was named to the 2019-20 All-Atlantic 10 Third Team and to the 2016-17 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team.

Dowtin will wear #11 with the Orlando Magic.

Nets guard/forward Joe Harris undergoes ankle ligament reconstruction surgery

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Joe Harris underwent successful left ankle ligament reconstruction surgery today. The procedure was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay, Wisc. Harris is expected to make a full recovery prior to next season’s training camp.

Harris appeared in 14 games this season, averaging 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 30.2 minutes per contest.

Ben Simmons has herniated disk, says Nets coach Steve Nash

Ben Simmons hasn’t made his Brooklyn Nets debut yet, and while there may be more than one reason why, a herniated disk is a big factor. Via the New York Daily News:

Nets head coach Steve Nash confirmed reports that star forward Ben Simmons has aggravated his herniated disk, a back injury he’s been dealing with for several years dating back to his time with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Nash said the herniated disk is why Simmons, the 25-year-old two-time All-Star who was the highlight of the James Harden trade, received an epidural on March 15.

“He’s had this (a herniated disk) a couple of years ago, so he’s had this throughout his career at some points,” Nash said ahead of tipoff against the Jazz on Monday.

Pelicans sign guard Tyrone Wallace to second 10-day contract

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed guard Tyrone Wallace to a second 10-day contract.

Wallace has played in four games off the bench for New Orleans this season, averaging 4.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per contest.

Wallace, 6-5, 198, has appeared in 110 career games (19 starts) across four seasons with the LA Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, and New Orleans Pelicans, recording averages of 5.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 15.5 minutes per contest.

New Orleans’s roster stands at 17 players, including two two-way players.