Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Hawks coach Nate McMillan fined by NBA

Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan has been fined $25,000 for detrimental public comments asserting bias by the NBA relating to the 2020-21 Playoffs, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations.

McMillan made his remarks to the media on May 19.

Per ESPN.com, “on Wednesday in a Zoom call with the media, McMillan, whose Hawks play the Knicks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, said the NBA wants New York in the playoffs. He said on the call that that’s the message he has delivered to his team. “Absolutely, I’ve talked about that to the team a lot. Basically, I’ve gone as far as saying the league wants this,” he said. “They need this, New York, this is a big market for the league, and New York has been out of the playoffs for a number of years.” “And this is a team that our league, they want to see — there’s a huge fan base — and they want to see New York in the playoffs.”

Pacers and Hornets square off in NBA Play-in Tournament game tonight

The Hornets play the Pacers at 6:30PM ET tonight in the first of two NBA Play-in Tournament games tonight. In the second game, at 9PM ET, the Wizards will face the Celtics. Both games are on TNT.

PACERS TEAM NOTES

The Pacers finished the regular season ranked sixth in the NBA in scoring and set a new NBA franchise record for the highest scoring average over a season with 115.3 points per game.

Indiana matched its franchise record with 21 3-pointers made in Thursday’s loss to Milwaukee. Justin Holiday led the Pacers with 26 points – his highest total in his two seasons with Indiana – and set a new career high with eight 3-pointers – one shy of the team’s franchise record. The Pacers set a new franchise record for 3-pointers made in a season (12.4 per game)
and passed their previous mark after 63 games this year (779 in 2018-19).

Indiana finished with the best road record in the Eastern Conference at 21-15. The Pacers finished with their third-best winning percentage (.589) on the road in NBA franchise history.

Indiana finished first in the NBA in blocked shots with 460 and 6.4 per game. The Pacers finished with their second-highest average for blocks in NBA franchise history (6.5 in 1979-80). Despite missing 25 games due to injury this season, Myles Turner finished second in the NBA with 159 rejections.

Domantas Sabonis finished with his best NBA season in 2020-21 with 20.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. He became the first player in franchise history and the fifth player in NBA history to record averages of 20 or more points, 12 or more rebounds and six or more assists per game. He is the first player since Kevin Garnett in 2002-03 to post such averages in a season.

Sabonis finished 31st in the NBA in scoring, fourth in rebounding, 13th in assists, 23rd in field goal percentage (.535), 25th in steals (1.2) and fifth in minutes played (36.0). He also finished tied for fifth in the league with 48 double-doubles and fifth with a franchise-record nine triple-doubles.

After missing the final six games of April with a back injury, Sabonis posted four triple-doubles over a nine-game span in May while averaging 23.0 points, 14.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists. He finished with 21 points and 20 rebounds in the win at Cleveland May 10, becoming the fourth player in NBA franchise history to record multiple games with 20+ points and 20+ rebounds (Jermaine O’Neal, 2, 2002-03; Clark Kellogg, 2, 1982-83; Dan Roundfield, 2, 1977-78).

Acquired in January via trade, Caris LeVert set career highs in 2020-21 despite missing 24 games due to a medical condition after the trade. LeVert finished with averages of 20.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game, all of which were his highest numbers in his five-year NBA career.

T.J. McConnell finished the regular season as the NBA’s leader in steals with 128 thefts, which was 20 more than the next-leading player (Miami’s Jimmy Butler, 108). McConnell finished with career highs this season with 8.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.86 steals per game. He also shot a career-best 55.9 percent from the field, which led the team and ranked 15th in the NBA.

HORNETS TEAM NOTES

This season, the Charlotte Hornets had two of the league’s top 3-point shooters with guard Terry Rozier finishing fifth in total 3s with 222 while guard Devonte’ Graham knocked down 179 shots from beyond the arc, 14th best. Charlotte is one of three teams along with Utah (7. Jordan Clarkson: 208, 12. Joe Ingles, 183, 13. Bojan Bogdanovic: 180) and Dallas (8. Tim Hardaway Jr.: 207, 10. Luka Doncic: 192) with multiple players in the top 15 in made 3s this season as well as one of four teams with two or more players making at least 175 3s as Chicago also joins that group (Zach LaVine: 200, Nikola Vuecivic: 176).

Rozier and Graham are the first duo for the Hornets with 175 or more made 3s in the same season as Rozier’s 222 made 3s ended up as the fifth most in a season in franchise history while Graham’s now ninth in made 3s in a season with his 179. Rozier ranks averaging 3.2 3-point field goals made per game, which ranks 12th among league leaders while Graham is 11th in 3s per contest at 3.3 as only Charlotte and the Jazz (Donovan Mitchell: 3.4, Clarkson: 3.1) have two players within the top 15 in 3s per game.

Hornets forward Miles Bridges had an excellent third season, averaging 12.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting .503% from the field.

Hornets guard LaMelo Ball returned from a 21-game hiatus due to injury and averaged 15.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game in his 10 games back. Ball totaled 27 points, six rebounds and six assists, his 10th game this season with at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, which is the third most by a rookie in their teens in NBA history as he passed Carmelo Anthony (8) on May 4 at Detroit and finished only behind Luka Doncic (17) and LeBron James (17). The first-year guard out of Chino Hills is second in franchise history in games with 20-5-5 by a first-year player, only behind Larry Johnson (16), as he totaled 17 20-point performances this season after scoring 22 points vs. New Orleans on May 9 for the fourth most in franchise history by a Hornets rookie surpassing Emeka Okafor (2004-05: 16). Since returning to action, Ball dished out at least five assists eight straight games from May 1-13 and nine of his 10 games and posted five-plus assists in 39 games this season.

In his first season, Ball averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists and 1.59 steals per game as he became just the 12th rookie in NBA history to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals per outing in their debut season. He was just one of four players in the 2020-21 season to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals while appearing in at least 70% of their team’s contests along with Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butkler and Dejounte Murray as he ranked tied for 17th in assists and ninth in steals per game among league leaders this season. Ball ranks second in assists (313), third in 3s (92), tied for fifth in steals (81) and 10th in points (803) among the Hornets all-time rookie leaders as he was third in total points, second in assists and third in steals among rookies this season.

Hornets guard Terry Rozier had a strong season as he once again set a career-high in scoring with 43 points knocking down a career-best 16 field goals vs. New Orleans on May 9. Rozier also knocked down seven 3s as he totaled 24 points in the first half, tying his career-high for most points in the first half as he had 18 points in the second quarter alone.

Rozier has been stellar in the fourth quarter and in clutch moments for the Hornets as he scored 28 points vs. Orlando on May 7, including 18 second half points and 13 points in the fourth quarter. He has six games this season with 20+ points in the second half as he was one of 19 players with six or more 20-point second halves and one of 25 players with eight or more 20+-point halves this season. Rozier is averaging 3.3 points per game in 27 games played in clutch situations, the 19th best clutch scoring average, and averaging 0.5 3s per game in those instances, which is tied for fifth in the NBA.

Longtime MSG photographer George Kalinsky receives award

A Madison Square Garden legend has received a great career honor. Via the NY Post:

It’s been a tough season away from the World’s Most Famous Arena for the Garden’s legendary photographer George Kalinsky.

But the season had a happy ending when Kalinsky got the phone call from the Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend informing him that he was named the 2021 recipient of the Curt Gowdy Media Award.

“As much as you think that this is going to be the greatest feeling, it’s even greater than that,’’ Kalinsky told The Post. “It’s something that they can never take away from you. The reality is even bigger when you’re told you made it.’’

The Knicks, meanwhile, are enjoying their best season in many years and will face the Hawks in the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs.

Thunder sign Charlie Brown Jr. to standard NBA contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed guard Charlie Brown Jr. to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Brown signed his first 10-Day Contract with the Thunder on April 25 and a second 10-Day Contract on May 5. He has appeared in eight games (one start) with the Thunder this season, registering averages of 4.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 15.1 minutes per contest, shooting 100 percent from the free throw line.

Hornets announce plans to allow increased home game capacity

The Charlotte Hornets announced today that the team will increase Spectrum Center’s capacity for any potential games in the upcoming Play-In Tournament and the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, bringing the number of fans to approximately 12,000 or 60%.

Previously, the capacity for Hornets games was 25%. Yesterday, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper lifted social distancing requirements and limits on capacity and gatherings within the state.

Despite these changes, fans will still be required to wear masks that fully cover the mouth and nose at all times inside Spectrum Center except when actively eating or drinking.

Tickets for all potential home games in the NBA’s new State Farm Play-In Tournament and the first round of the NBA Playoffs will go on sale to the general public today.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming more fans back at Spectrum Center for our potential play-in and playoff games,” said Hornets President and Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield. “We’ve seen the difference our fans have made since returning to Spectrum Center earlier this season, and we know that their passion and excitement will be a big advantage as we head into the postseason. Most importantly, it is great to see our community continue to make its way through this pandemic and this is another step forward for all of us. We thank Governor Cooper and his staff for their leadership during the pandemic and allowing us the opportunity to increase our capacity.”

The Hornets have clinched the opportunity to participate in the State Farm Play-In Tournament, which features the seventh- through 10th-place teams in each conference. The tournament will take place May 18-21 between the conclusion of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. In the new format, the seventh-place team will host the eighth-place team, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. In addition, the ninth-place team will host the 10th-place team, with the winner moving on to visit the loser of the first game for a matchup in which the winning team will earn the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.

Charlotte is currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings with two games remaining in the regular season: today at the New York Knicks and Sunday, May 16, at the Washington Wizards. Both games tip off at 1 p.m.

Mike Conley returns for Jazz in win over Thunder

The Jazz are without Donovan Mitchell, but still one of the NBA’s best teams, and made short work of the Thunder tonight. Via the Salt Lake Tribune:

Mike Conley is back.

Not really all the way back yet, y’know, but back enough.

The Utah Jazz and their fans will happily take what they can get right now.

After missing nine late-season games due to right hamstring soreness, the veteran point point returned to action Friday night in the Jazz’s penultimate matchup of the regular season, a 109-93 decimation of the thoroughly-tanking Oklahoma City Thunder.

He started at point guard, sending Georges Niang back to a reserve role, and came out aggressive.

Conley’s shot was off a bit, as he made just 2 of 7 overall and 1 of 3 from deep, but he impressed with his activity level.

In the win for the Jazz tonight, Bojan Bogdanovic scored 22 points, Jordan Clarkson scored 18 off the bench, and Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 18 rebounds.

The team should have Mitchell back for the first round of the playoffs. Hopefully.

Miami Heat sign center Omer Yurtseven

The Miami Heat have signed center Omer Yurtseven.

Yurtseven appeared in 14 games (one start) with the Oklahoma City Blue of the G League this season and averaged 15.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.36 blocks and 21.1 minutes while shooting 62.6 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three-point range. He scored in double-figures 11 times, including two 20-point games and one 30-point performance. He posted five double-doubles, including a season-high 34 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three blocks against the Long Island Nets on March 1.

Yurtseven played two seasons at NC State before transferring to Georgetown. As a senior in 2019-20, he appeared in 26 games (25 starts) and averaged 15.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.46 blocks, 1.2 assists and 27.3 minutes while shooting 53.4 percent from the field.

Magic coach Steve Clifford likes NBA play-in tournament idea

Magic head coach Steve Clifford likes the NBA play-in tournament format that we’ll all get to enjoy next week. Via the Orlando Sentinel:

The tournament has drawn its share of critics, from Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to Lakers All-Star LeBron James.

Magic coach Steve Clifford, on the other hand, thinks the play-in format is a good thing.

“I think you guys know I’m a big sports fan, and probably a little bit more of a purist than a lot of people, and I remember when baseball went to a wild card and I thought it was going to be terrible and it ended up being a great thing for baseball,” Clifford said. “It [play-in tournament] keeps more teams playing meaningful games late in the year, and just like baseball I believe that Tuesday night and Thursday night there’s going to be great interest in our league. So I’m interested to see how people like it, but from what I’ve seen I think it’s a very good idea.”

The play-in tournament starts next week.

Rockets sign Khyri Thomas and Cam Reynolds

The Houston Rockets today signed guard Khyri Thomas (Ky-ree) to a multi-year contract, and signed forward Cam Reynolds to a 10-day contract using a hardship exception.

Thomas (6-3, 210) originally signed a 10-day contract with Houston on May 7 and averaged 20.3 points over his first three games, including a career-high 27 at Utah on May 8. He had a career-best 11 assists with just one turnover in the Rockets last game at the Los Angeles Lakers on May 12.

Through four games with Houston, Thomas has recorded 65 points, 20 assists, 15 rebounds, 9 steals and 3 blocks. Dating back to 1983-84, he is the second Rocket (James Harden in 2015-16) to have posted those numbers within a player’s first four games in a season.

Reynolds (6-8, 225) was eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft following his senior season at Tulane. After averaging 16.1 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Austin Spurs in the G League bubble this season, Reynolds signed a 10-day contract with San Antonio on March 26 and saw limited action in three games.

Last season, Reynolds was with Milwaukee as a two-way player and spent his time with their G league affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, while averaging 14.8 points and 5.2 rebounds. He began 2018-19 playing for the Stockton Kings in the G League before signing with Minnesota and shooting 41.2% from 3-point range in 19 games. Reynolds has averaged 2.6 3-pointers made on 37.2% shooting in his G League career.

If Donovan Mitchell makes All-NBA Team, Jazz contract goes way up

Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz are having a fantastic season. The team has their eye on the Finals, and it’s a realistic vision. In terms of what Mitchell’s personal success may mean to each side’s wallets, here’s the Salt Lake Tribune:

This week, the collective decisions of 100 NBA media members are worth $32 million to the Utah Jazz.

Let me explain. You’ll remember that Donovan Mitchell signed a maximum contract extension this summer, but the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement has a provision that says that Mitchell’s maximum can be for a higher percentage of the salary cap if he makes All-NBA in the season before his extension kicks in.

Mitchell’s contract is guaranteed for 5 years and $163 million — 25% of the Jazz’s salary cap. If he makes an All-NBA team, that contract would jump to $195.6 million — 30% of the Jazz’s salary cap.

Mitchell is currently injured, and will make his return to action in the postseason. Via the Deseret News:

He suffered the injury in a win over the Indiana Pacers and has since missed 13 consecutive contests. During that stretch, the Jazz have won eight games and lost five, most recently Monday night against the Golden State Warriors, all while trying to hold off the Phoenix Suns for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

Before sustaining the injury, Mitchell was in the midst of a career year, averaging new highs of 26.4 points, 5.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game.