Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

COVID restrictions mostly lifted for Utah Jazz home games starting Feb. 25, 2022

FROM THE UTAH JAZZ

Effective February 25, the requirement for proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be lifted to gain access to Utah Jazz home games at Vivint Arena.

The use of proper face coverings remains a recommended practice as an effective health tool to prevent the spread of the virus. Vaccinations and boosters are urged as the best defense against the virus. Per NBA health and safety protocols, masks are still required for individuals in designated areas surrounding the basketball court.

Other Vivint Arena events will adhere to the specific COVID-19 protocols of the event organizer or concert/show promoter which could require mandatory masks and/or proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event time. For upcoming events, ticket holders should check the particular status of their event at www.vivintarena.com.

Miami Heat convert Caleb Martin’s contract from two-way to standard

The Miami Heat have converted the two-way contract of Caleb Martin into a standard NBA contract.

Martin, who was originally signed by the HEAT to a two-way contract on September 14, has appeared in 44 games (10 starts) with Miami this season and averaged 9.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 22.9 minutes while shooting 50.6 percent from the field, 37.9 percent from three-point range and 73.9 percent from the foul line. He has scored in double-figures 21 times, including two 20-point performances, and posted an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double in a win at Atlanta on January 12. He set career highs in points (28), field goals made (9) and three-point field goals made (6) while tying his career high in blocks (2) in a victory on December 8 vs. Milwaukee.

Martin has appeared in 115 career NBA games (14 starts) and averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 18.6 minutes while shooting 44.7 percent from the field. He has also appeared in 28 career G League games (all starts) and averaged 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.61 steals and 36.9 minutes while shooting 47 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three-point range. Additionally, Martin helped lead Nevada to a 29-4 record and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2019 as a senior after appearing in 34 games (33 starts) averaging 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.44 steals and 34.1 minutes while leading the team in points, scoring average, steals, field goals made, three-point field goals made and free throws made.

Miami Heat sign forward Haywood Highsmith to 10-day contract

The Miami Heat have signed forward Haywood Highsmith to a 10-day contract.

Highsmith, who was previously signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on December 30, appeared in four games with Miami totaling 12 points, five rebounds and a block in 41:34 minutes of action while shooting 50 percent (4-of-8) from the field and 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from three-point range. He has also appeared in 17 G League games (11 starts) with the Delaware Blue Coats this season and averaged 13.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.24 steals and 29.8 minutes while shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point range.

After spending four seasons at Wheeling University from 2014-18, Highsmith signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, splitting the season between the Sixers and their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. Highsmith appeared in five games with the 76ers in 2018-19 totaling nine points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal while shooting 40 percent (4-of-10) from the field. Additionally, he has appeared in 106 career G League games (76 starts) over three seasons, all with the Blue Coats, averaging 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.18 steals and 29.6 minutes while shooting 43.5 percent from the field.

Highsmith will wear number 24.

Rockets convert Daishen Nix’s contract from two-way to standard

The Houston Rockets have converted rookie guard Daishen Nix from a two-way contract into a standard NBA contract.

Nix was eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft and originally signed with Houston on Aug. 25. He spent last season with the G League Ignite, where he was teammates with fellow Rockets rookie Jalen Green.

In eight games for Houston this season, Nix is averaging 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.8 steals per 36 minutes played. He has also appeared in 27 games for the Rockets G League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley, while averaging 19.7 ppg, 6.0 apg, 5.6 rpg and 2.3 spg. Last season, Nix joined current teammate Kevin Porter Jr. as two of the three G League players who averaged at least 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

Nix turned 20 years old on Feb. 13.

Bucks guard Pat Connaughton out after surgery

Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton underwent surgery Monday to repair the fractured fourth metacarpal on his right hand. Connaughton injured his hand in the Bucks game at Phoenix on Feb. 10.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Connaughton is expected to be sidelined for approximately four weeks.

Per ESPN.com, “losing him will be a significant blow to a Bucks team that has increasingly relied on his productivity this season.”

In 54 games (18 starts) this season, Connaughton is averaging a career-best 10.1 points with 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in a career-high 27.0 minutes per game.

Timberwolves will reportedly sign Patrick Beverley to a contract extension

The Timberwolves are reportedly signing guard Patrick Beverley to a contract extension. Via the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

The Timberwolves rewarded the veteran guard with a one-year, $13 million extension agreed to Monday, a source confirmed to the Pioneer Press.

The deal keeps Beverley, who was set to become a free-agent this summer, in Minnesota through the 2022-23 campaign. The extension number is just a tick below Beverley’s $14.3 million cap hit this season.

Jarrett Allen selected as injury replacement for James Harden in 2022 NBA All-Star Game

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden on Team LeBron in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.

The matchup between Team LeBron and Team Durant in the 71st NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, airing live at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States and reaching fans in 215 countries and territories in 59 languages.

Allen has earned his first NBA All-Star selection. He is averaging a career-high 16.2 points, a career-high 11.1 rebounds and 1.35 blocked shots in 49 games this season. A five-year NBA veteran, Allen ranks ninth in the league in rebounds per game and 13th in blocks per game. He also ranks second in the NBA in field goal percentage at a career-high 66.5 percent and tied for sixth in double-doubles with 30.

The 23-year-old Allen is the second Cleveland player to be named a first-time NBA All-Star this season, joining guard Darius Garland, who was drafted by Team Durant. Behind Allen and Garland, the Cavaliers (35-22) have the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.

Harden will not play in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game because of a left hamstring injury. He was selected by NBA head coaches as a reserve.

Tyreke Evans has been reinstated as an NBA player – he is now an unrestricted free agent

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association today granted the request of Tyreke Evans to be reinstated as an NBA player, after Evans was dismissed and disqualified from the league on May 17, 2019, for testing positive for a prohibited substance under the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

Pursuant to an agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, Evans is now an Unrestricted Free Agent who may negotiate over the terms and conditions of a Player Contract with any team, and who, subject to other applicable CBA rules, may enter into a Player Contract with any team beginning 12:00 p.m. (ET) on Friday, February 18, 2022.

Health update on Bulls guard Zach LaVine

Here’s the Chicago Tribune with the latest on star Bulls scoring guard Zach LaVine:

The short-handed Chicago Bulls could lose yet another key player ahead of the All-Star break after Zach LaVine will reportedly fly to Los Angeles to receive special treatment on his left knee, according to ESPN.

LaVine sat out Saturday’s 106-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder due to an aggravation in his left knee. The guard previously played two games through back spasms before finally sitting out the next two games.

OKC Thunder sign guard Aaron Wiggins to multi-year contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed guard Aaron Wiggins to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Wiggins was signed to a Two-Way Contract in August and has appeared in 31 games (18 starts) for the Thunder this season while averaging 7.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 21.9 minutes per game. His 31 games played are tied for most among all rookie two-way players this year, while his points per game rank third among those players.

In six games (three starts) with the Oklahoma City Blue, he averaged 12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.33 steals in 26.3 minutes per game.

The North Carolina native played three seasons at the University of Maryland, where he was a 2021 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection and named the 2019-20 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year.