Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

G League weekly news and notes for Dec. 14, 2021

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+

Health update on Suns guard Devin Booker

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.

Medical update: Zion Williamson remains out with foot injury

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.

Kings center Richaun Holmes undergoes eye surgery

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

Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum diagnosed with a collapsed right lung

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.

Knicks guard Kemba Walker remains benched

The Knicks are still finding their way this season. Via the New York Post:

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is not ready to make a Kemba Walker reversal, but said he won’t hesitate to make more changes if the losing continues.

Among other factors, Thibodeau said he doesn’t have “a big enough sample size.”

“If we’re not performing well, look, there may be more changes coming,” Thibodeau said. “I want to make sure that — I do have respect for [Walker]. He’s part of the team and right now we have a rotation. He’s not in the rotation but he’s working in practice, he’s doing all the things he should be doing. As I mentioned before when I made that decision, I view Kemba as a starter.’’

Following the hideous 114-99 Garden rout by the Nuggets on Saturday, Thibodeau said there are two factors he looks at regarding decision-making: “Is the intensity part right? Is the execution part right?”

The Knicks are 11-12 so far this season. Their leading scorers are Julius Randle at 20.1 points per game, RJ Barrett at 14.0 ppg, and Evan Fournier at 13.3 ppg.

Brandon Ingram scores 40 in Pelicans loss to Rockets

The Pelicans keep racking up losses, but they enjoyed a nice performance from Brandon Ingram Sunday. Via the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

As the third quarter neared an end, Brandon Ingram drove to the basket and absorbed contact. He earned a trip to the free-throw line, where he scored his 32nd and 33rd points of the game.

Ingram scored a season-high 40 points, but on the second leg of New Orleans’ Texas two step, he received little help.

Ingram converted 15 of 28 field goals. His teammates combined to go 25 of 66.

The Pelicans lost to the Houston Rockets 118-108 on Sunday at Toyota Center.

They were unable to keep the positive momentum from their win over the Dallas Mavericks two nights earlier going, as they fell to the Rockets, one of the few teams that came into Sunday’s game below New Orleans (7-19) in the Western Conference standings.

Nuggets sign guard Davon Reed to 10-day contract

The Denver Nuggets yesterday (Saturday, December 4) signed guard Davon Reed to a 10-day contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced.

Reed, 6-5, 208, has appeared in seven games (all starts) this season with the Nuggets’ G-League affiliate Grand Rapids Gold, averaging 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.14 steals while shooting 42.9% from three in 35.8 minutes per game. He also played for the Nuggets in both this year’s preseason and Vegas Summer League entry.

Reed, 26, has appeared in 31 career NBA games for the Phoenix Suns (21 games in 2017-18) and Indiana Pacers (10 games in 2018-19), owning career averages of 2.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in 9.3 minutes. He has appeared in 93 career G-League games (89 starts) for Northern Arizona, Fort Worth, Sioux Falls and Grand Rapids, averaging 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

The New Jersey Native was drafted with the 32nd overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft. He spent four years at the University of Miami where he was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team and ACC All-Third Team in 2017.

Reed will wear #9 for the Nuggets.