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The Indiana Pacers have waived guard DeJon Jarreau.
Also today, the team signed forward Terry Taylor to a two-way contract.
Jarreau was signed to a two-way contract in August and played one game in a Pacers uniform.
Taylor, who played with the Pacers during the preseason, has made 11 starts for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants during NBA G League play in 2021-22.
Stephen Curry yesterday passed Ray Allen to become the NBA’s all-time leader in regular season three-pointers made. Here’s the San Jose Mercury News with more:
The people who mattered most to Steph Curry in his lifelong journey to becoming the NBA’s all-time 3-point king were at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night to share the moment with the Golden State Warriors’ transcendent star.
As coach Steve Kerr said, “The fact that they’re here with him tonight tells you everything about Steph.”
One of those people is Brandon Payne, the personal trainer whom Curry has worked with since his rookie season. Payne, who lives in North Carolina, dropped everything to traverse the country over the past week to make sure he was there in person.
Not only does Curry credit his longevity for allowing him to reach the 3-point record, at age 33, by all accounts, he is only refining his physique.
“I don’t think he’s ever been stronger, physically,” Kerr said.
“I think he’s still getting better, which is scary,” added Draymond Green.
Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), the operating company which owns the Utah Jazz, Vivint Arena and other Utah-centric business ventures, today announced the appointment of Danny Ainge as CEO of Utah Jazz Basketball.
Ainge will also represent SEG as an Alternate Governor for the Utah Jazz on the NBA’s Board of Governors.
Ainge joins SEG and the Utah Jazz after 18 years with the Boston Celtics, most recently as President of Basketball Operations. During that time, he was named NBA executive of the year and the team made 15 playoff appearances, seven Eastern Conference Finals, two NBA Finals, and won an NBA championship in 2008. Previously, Ainge was head coach of the Phoenix Suns for three seasons following a 14-year career as a player. He is a three-time NBA champion, winning two titles as a player and one as an executive.
“We have big aspirations for Smith Entertainment Group and the Utah Jazz. Danny is one of the best basketball minds in the world and he’s also passionate about this state and our community,” said Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz and SEG. “We believe in adding the best talent to all facets of our organization and are lucky to have Danny’s acumen and experience. The Jazz are in great hands with the incredible leadership of General Manager Justin Zanik and Head Coach Quin Snyder. We couldn’t be more excited to bring Danny on board to work alongside Justin, Quin and me. Danny will help make our organization stronger in pursuit of our collective goal–winning an NBA title.”
“I have known and respected Ryan and Ashley Smith for many years. What they are doing here in Utah is amazing and I am excited to be a part of their vision for the Jazz and Smith Entertainment Group as a whole,” said Danny Ainge, newly appointed CEO of Utah Jazz Basketball. “Joining the Jazz was a natural and perfect fit for me, as my roots in Utah are deep and strong. This is a team that has a tremendous foundation of players and people, and Justin and Quin are doing an amazing job. I am excited to collaborate with them, be a resource, and share the perspective I have as we work together to bring our fans the success that they deserve.”
Ainge has longstanding ties to the state of Utah. He played basketball at Brigham Young University, where he led the basketball team to an Elite Eight appearance and was awarded the John R. Wooden Award as the best collegiate basketball player in the nation. Ainge will begin work in the new role Dec. 15, 2021. Danny and his wife, Michelle, recently relocated to Utah.
A FAMILIAR FACE: Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed, playing on assignment with the Delaware Blue Coats, has been named NBA G League Player of the Week for games played Monday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 12. Reed, the 2021 NBA G League MVP and Rookie of the Year, led Delaware to a 3-0 week aver-aging 20.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals. The DePaul product put an exclamation point on his week with 25points, 16 rebounds and seven assists in Delaware’s 120-109 win on Dec. 12 over the Westchester Knicks. The Blue Coats closeout their Showcase Cup schedule on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. ET against Westchester on NBAGLeague.com.
BEASTS OF THE EAST: The Delaware Blue Coats (10-1) and the Maine Celtics (9-1) have clinched spots in the Showcase Cup Tournament out of the East region. Delaware is riding an eight-game winning streak while Maine has a seven-game win streak of its own. The Blue Coats have been paced by NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year candidate Shaquille Harrison, who’s averaging 19.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and a league-leading 2.9 steals. Delaware leads the league in steals per game (14.4), translating into a league-high 26.9 points per game off turnovers. The Celtics feature eight players scoring in double figures, including Boston Celtics Two-Way players Brodric Thomas (18.3 ppg) and Sam Hauser (17.1 ppg). Maine’s attack from three-point range has been the best in the NBA G League, leading in three-pointers made (165) and three-point percentage (41.6).
STOKED IN SOUTH BAY: Led by Mac McClung, Mason Jones and Paris Bass, the South Bay Lakers cruised to a 3-1 week to put them atop the West region at 8-2. McClung spearheaded the offense for the Lakers this week, averaging a team-high 24.3points and 7.3 assists while Jones contributed 21.3 points, 7.3 re-bounds and 5.8 assists, including a 30-point explosion in South Bay’s 139-120 win over the Salt Lake City Stars on Dec. 8. Bass put together two consecutive double-doubles during the week and in four games averaged 16.8 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Lakers return to action tonight hosting the Agua Caliente Clippers at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Here’s the Arizona Republic on Suns guard Devin Booker:
Devin Booker has many reasons to smile right now even though he’ll miss his fifth consecutive game Monday night.
One, his injured left hamstring is improving.
Two, he’s at least back on the court with his teammates for shootarounds.
Three, his team is still rolling without him.
With the NBA’s best record, the Suns (21-4) were 3-1 without Booker going into Monday’s game against the Clippers (15-12) at STAPLES Center as he continues to rehab and train in working his way back from injury.
“Hammy feels good, man,” said Booker, who strained his hamstring in the first half of a Nov. 30 win over the Golden State Warriors. “Just getting back right. Finally back out on the court doing some things. I’ve just been lifting prior to that. Feeling good back out on the court during shootaround. That’s always a plus.”
The Suns are 21-4 this season, which is the best record in the NBA through Sunday’s games.
Their leading scorers so far in 2021-22 are Booker at 23.2 points per game, Deandre Ayton at 16.3 ppg, Chris Paul at 14.4 ppg and Mikal Bridges at 12.2 ppg.
The next two Chicago Bulls games – Tuesday, Dec. 14 against the Detroit Pistons and Thursday, Dec. 16 at Toronto – have been postponed.
Ten Bulls players, along with additional staff members, are currently in the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols.
The New Orleans Pelicans released the following medical update on Zion Williamson:
“After experiencing persistent soreness in his right foot, Zion Williamson underwent medical imaging which showed a regression in the bone healing of his fifth metatarsal. As a result, the volume and intensity of his training will be reduced for an extended period to help allow for further bone healing.
Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes underwent a successful procedure today at Kaiser Permanente to repair a right eye laceration. The injury was sustained during the second quarter of Wednesday night’s contest versus Orlando.
Additionally, Holmes underwent concussion screening and was subsequently cleared of any concussive event.
Holmes will be listed as out for the team’s next two games at Charlotte and at Cleveland
Atlanta Hawks forward Solomon Hill, who left Sunday’s game vs. Charlotte with a right hamstring injury, underwent an MRI on Monday at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex. The MRI revealed a right hamstring tendon tear.
Hill will undergo surgery and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
Upon further examination, a CT scan revealed that Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum has a pneumothorax (right lung), the team announced today. Per MayoClinic.org, a pneumothorax is a collapsed lung.
McCollum sustained the injury during the 4th quarter of Portland’s game versus Boston on December 4.
He will be further evaluated before a prognosis is determined and his status will be updated accordingly.
McCollum did not travel with the team for Wednesday’s game at Golden State.
In 24 games this season (all starts), McCollum has averaged 20.6 points (42.4% FG, 39.3% 3-PT, 70.0% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.08 steals and 35.3 minutes.