Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Celtics sign Justin Jackson to a 10-day contract

The Boston Celtics have signed forward Justin Jackson to a 10-day contract.

Jackson, 26, has played in 248 games (61 starts) during his four-year NBA career with Sacramento, Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Milwaukee, averaging 6.6 points on 42.7% shooting (32.1% 3-PT, 79.7% FT), 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. The Houston, TX native played in 34 games last season with the Thunder and Bucks, producing 7.2 points (40.3% FG, 30.8% 3-PT, 83.8% FT), 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 17.0 minutes. Jackson also appeared in five playoff games during Milwaukee’s championship run, scoring six points on 3-of-5 shooting.

Jackson joins the Celtics from the Texas Legends of the NBA G League, where he averaged 22.7 points (47.3% FG, 42.4% 3-PT, 79.2% FT), 7.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 10 games (nine starts) this season.

Knicks sign Tyler Hall to a 10-day contract

The New York Knicks signed guard Tyler Hall to a 10-day contract today.

Hall, 6-5, 209-pounds, is currently averaging 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists over 38.5 minutes in 11 games for the Westchester Knicks, the official NBA G League affiliate of the New York Knicks. He holds career averages of 10.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists over 28.2 minutes in 64 games (41 starts) over parts of three seasons with Westchester. He appeared in three games for the Knicks Summer League entry this past summer, averaging two points and one rebound over 7.9 minutes in three games.

The Rock Island, IL-native went undrafted in 2019 after a four-year collegiate career at Montana State University. As a senior, he was named to the 2018-19 All-Big Sky First Team after averaging 20.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 33.5 minutes in 32 games (all starts). He amassed 2,518 points over his collegiate career, becoming one of 74 players in Division I history to accomplish that feat.

Sacramento Kings sign Justin Robinson to a 10-day contract

The Sacramento Kings signed guard Justin Robinson to a 10-day contract today.

Robinson has appeared in 35 games through three seasons with Washington (2019-20), Oklahoma City (2020-21) and Milwaukee (2021-22). During the 2020-21 season, he accrued averages of 15.5 points, 6.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 15.5 minutes per game through 13 games with the Philadelphia 76ers G League affiliate, Delaware Blue Coats.

Robinson went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft following four years at Virginia Tech, earning ACC All-Second Team honors during his junior season.

Nets bring back Kyrie Irving, who will only be able to play road games

Official statement from Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks on guard Kyrie Irving, who currently still cannot play home games at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center due to New York’s vaccine mandate:

“After discussions with our coaches, players and staff, the organization has decided to have Kyrie Irving rejoin the team for games and practices in which he is eligible to participate. We arrived at this decision with the full support of our players and after careful consideration of our current circumstances, including players missing games due to injuries and health and safety protocols. We believe that the addition of Kyrie will not only make us a better team but allow us to more optimally balance the physical demand on the entire roster. We look forward to Kyrie’s return to the lineup, as well as getting our entire roster back together on the court.”

Per the New York Daily News, “news of his return comes as the NBA reels in the wake of the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Irving, who has opted not to get vaccinated, will return as a second wave of positive COVID-19 cases hits the NBA entering the new year, in particular a Nets team currently missing seven players in the league’s health and safety protocols.”

Lakers sign Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract pursuant to the NBA Hardship Exception provisions.

Thomas has appeared in 528 career NBA games (361 starts) for the Pelicans, Wizards, Nuggets, Cavaliers, Celtics, Suns, Kings and Lakers, averaging 18.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 28.8 minutes. The 10-year NBA veteran most recently played one game for the Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League, totaling 42 points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals in 43 minutes.

Thomas returns to Los Angeles after averaging 15.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 26.8 minutes in 17 games (one start) for the Lakers during the 2017-18 season.

Orlando Magic sign Aleem Ford, Hassani Gravett, B.J. Johnson and Admiral Schofield to 10-day contracts

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Aleem Ford, free agent guard Hassani Gravett (GRAV-it), free agent guard/forward B.J. Johnson and free agent forward Admiral Schofield to 10-day contracts, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

The four players were signed via hardship exceptions by the NBA. Orlando has five players (Mo Bamba, Ignas Brazdeikis, R.J. Hampton, Terrence Ross and Moritz Wagner) ruled out tonight vs. Miami due to league Health and Safety Protocols.

Ford (6’8”, 220, 12/22/97) has played in 12 games (seven starts) this season with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 9.6 ppg., 4.4 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 28.1 minpg. Undrafted by an NBA franchise, he played in 126 career games (82 starts) during four seasons at the University of Wisconsin (2017-21), averaging 6.5 ppg. and 3.3 rpg. in 22.5 minpg.

Ford will wear #11 with the Orlando Magic.

Gravett (6’2”, 190, 7/16/96) has played and started all 12 games this season with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 13.6 ppg., 5.2 rpg., 2.8 apg. and 1.83 stlpg. in 34.5 minpg.

Gravett signed as a free agent with Orlando on Sep. 8, 2021 and played in three preseason games with the Magic, averaging 5.0 ppg. and 1.3 rpg. in 10.2 minpg., before being waived on Oct. 16. He appeared in 12 games during the 2020-21 campaign with MZT Skopje of the Macedonian League, averaging 12.4 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 3.1 apg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 25.4 minpg. Gravett helped MZT Skopje win the 2020-21 Macedonian League championship and the 2021 North Macedonian Basketball Cup.

Gravett has appeared in 54 career NBA G League regular season games (40 starts), all with Lakeland, averaging 12.1 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 3.7 apg. and 1.20 stlpg. in 31.6 minpg., while shooting .364 (95-261) from three-point range.

Gravett played in 97 career games (30 starts) during three seasons (2016-19) at the University of South Carolina, averaging 7.2 ppg., 3.0 rpg. and 2.4 apg. in 23.8 minpg. During the 2018-19 season, he played in 32 games (five starts), averaging 11.4 ppg., 3.8 rpg. and 2.4 apg. in 29.6 minpg., while shooting .399 (65-163) from three-point range and was named SEC Sixth Man of the Year by the conference’s coaches.

Gravett will wear #12 with the Orlando Magic.

Johnson (6’7”, 200, 12/21/95) has played and started in 10 games this season with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 24.7 ppg., 7.5 rpg., 1.3 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 34.5 minpg. He currently leads Lakeland in both scoring and rebounding.

Johnson signed as a free agent with Orlando on Sep. 8, 2021, but did not appear in any preseason action with the Magic, before being waived on Oct. 16. He played and started in 14 games in 2020-21 with Long Island of the NBA G League, averaging 18.4 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 31.1 minpg. Johnson also appeared in 11 games last season with Brisbane of the National Basketball League in Australia, averaging 10.0 ppg. and 3.7 rpg. in 21.5 minpg.

Johnson has played in 17 career NBA games with Atlanta, Sacramento and Orlando, averaging 3.1 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 7.8 minpg. He played in 10 games with the Magic during the 2019-20 campaign, averaging 3.0 ppg., and 1.5 rpg. in 8.3 minpg. Johnson has also appeared in 91 career NBA G League regular season games (84 starts) with Lakeland and Long Island, averaging 19.2 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 1.5 apg. and 1.49 stlpg. in 32.4 minpg., while shooting .402 (187-465) from three-point range and .821 (247-301) from the free throw line.

Johnson appeared in 56 career games (55 starts) in two seasons (2016-18) with La Salle University, averaging 19.1 ppg., 7.3 rpg. and 1.21 stlpg. in 33.8 minpg. During his senior campaign with the Explorers (2017-18), he played and started in 27 games, averaging 20.8 ppg., 8.3 rpg. and 1.30 stlpg. in 35.2 minpg., while shooting .869 (126-145) from the free throw line. Johnson was named Second Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference in 2017-18. He also played in 35 career games during two seasons (2013-15) at Syracuse University, averaging 3.4 ppg. and 2.5 rpg. in 12.0 minpg.

Johnson will wear #24 with the Orlando Magic.

Schofield (6’5”, 240, 3/30/97) has played in all 12 games (10 starts) this season with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 14.4 ppg., 7.2 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 33.0 minpg.

Schofield signed as a free agent with Orlando on Sep. 21, 2021. He played in two preseason games with the Magic, averaging 1.5 ppg. in 5.8 minpg., before being waived on Oct. 16. Schofield played in 14 games (11 starts) during the 2020-21 campaign with Greensboro of the NBA G League, averaging 10.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg. and 2.1 apg. in 26.2 minpg.

Originally selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Schofield has played in 33 career NBA regular season games (two starts) with Washington, averaging 3.0 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 11.2 minpg. He has also appeared in 59 career NBA G League regular season games (54 starts) with Capital City, Greensboro and Lakeland, averaging 14.3 ppg., 5.9 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 30.2 minpg.

Schofield played in 132 career games (94 starts) during four seasons at the University of Tennessee (2015-19), averaging 11.9 ppg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 24.9 minpg., while shooting .387 (184-476) from three-point range. As a senior (2018-19), he played and started in 37 games, averaging 16.5 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 31.7 minpg., while shooting .418 (74-177) from three-point range. He was named to the All-SEC First Team by the conference coaches, earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors and was also an honorable mention All-American by Associated Press. As a junior (2017-18), Schofield was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the conference coaches and earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors.

Schofield will wear #25 with the Orlando Magic.

Lakers hire Craig Hughner as Director of Media Relations

The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Craig Hughner as Director, Media Relations, President of Business Operations Tim Harris announced today.

Hughner, 41, joins the Lakers following a 15-year career in Major League Baseball. The Los Angeles native most recently held the title of Vice President, Communications for the San Diego Padres where he oversaw media relations and business/crisis communications for the organization and was responsible for internal and external communication strategy for the Padres and Petco Park.

Prior to his time in San Diego, Hughner served as Director of Media Relations for the Detroit Tigers and spent nine seasons in various baseball communications roles with the Philadelphia Phillies, including their World Series Championship in 2008. He began his MLB career as a baseball information intern for the Seattle Mariners in 2007 and worked as a production coordinator for Fox Sports in Los Angeles from 2003-06.

“We are thrilled to bring Craig back home to Los Angeles and welcome him to the Lakers family,” Harris said. “He is widely respected by his peers and brings a wealth of media relations expertise to our organization.”

Hughner received his bachelor’s degree in Communications from Washington State University (2003) and attended Seattle University’s Sports Administration & Leadership graduate program (2006-07). He was born and raised in Lomita, Calif. and is a 1998 graduate of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School.

“It’s truly a dream come true to join this historic and iconic franchise,” said Hughner. “The amount of pride I’ll feel wearing the purple and gold of my hometown team is indescribable. I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity.”

Hughner will begin his Lakers career on January 3, 2022.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson receives injection to stimulate bone healing in foot

Following a consultation and further evaluation with Dr. Richard Ferkel of the Southern California Orthopedic Institute yesterday, New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson received a biologic injection into the fracture site to stimulate bone healing in his right foot.

Williamson will be limited to low impact, partial weight-bearing activities for an extended period.

Further updates will be given following further imaging which is anticipated to occur in 4-6 weeks.

Williamson has not played yet in the 2021-22 NBA season.

Nets sign Langston Galloway to a 10-day contract

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent guard Langston Galloway to a 10-day contract.

Galloway (6’1”, 200) has appeared in 445 career games (62 starts) across seven seasons with Phoenix (2020-21), Detroit (2017-20), Sacramento (2017), New Orleans (2016-17) and New York (2014-16), recording averages of 8.2 points on 39.8 percent shooting from the field, 37.0 percent shooting from 3-point range and 81.6 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.9 minutes per contest. The 30-year-old native of Baton Rouge, La., saw action in 40 games last season with the NBA Finals-bound Suns, averaging 4.8 points on 44.9 percent shooting from the field, 42.4 percent shooting from 3-point range and 95.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line and 1.1 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game. Prior to signing with Brooklyn, Galloway played in one game with the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League this season.

Galloway went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft after spending four years (2010-14) at Saint Joseph’s, where he earned All-Atlantic 10 First Team honors as a senior. He finished his collegiate career as the program’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made (343), free-throw percentage (82.1 percent) and minutes played (4,720), while ranking second in career points (1,991) and 3-point percentage (42.6 percent).