Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Fred VanVleet, DeAndre’ Bembry and Talen Horton-Tucker each suspended one game by NBA

Toronto Raptors guards DeAndre’ Bembry and Fred VanVleet and Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker have each been suspended one game without pay and Raptors forward OG Anunoby and Lakers forward-center Montrezl Harrell have each been fined for their roles in an on-court altercation, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Bembry, VanVleet and Horton-Tucker have each been suspended for leaving the bench area during an on-court altercation.

Anunoby, who received a technical foul and was ejected, has been fined $30,000 for initiating the incident by grabbing Schröder by the leg and recklessly flipping him to the ground after the two became entangled following a common foul committed by Schröder.

Harrell, who received a technical foul and was ejected, has been fined $20,000 for aggressively entering the altercation and shoving Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr.

The incident occurred with 2:24 remaining in the first quarter in the Lakers’ 110-101 win over the Raptors on April 6 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Bembry will serve his suspension tonight when the Raptors play host to the Chicago Bulls at Amalie Arena. VanVleet, who has missed the past two games with an injury, will serve his suspension in the next regular season game for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

Horton-Tucker will serve his suspension tonight when the Lakers face the Miami Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Pistons sign forward Tyler Cook to multi-year contract

The Detroit Pistons have signed forward Tyler Cook to a multi-year contract.

Per the Detroit Free Press, “his stint with the Pistons will now last until the end of the season, at least, as the franchise signed him to a standard NBA contract with an option for 2021-22. The contract is non-guaranteed for next season, but will become guaranteed five days after the yet-to-be-announced free agency moratorium period, a league source told the Detroit Free Press.”

Cook, 6-8, 255, signed a 10-day contract with the Pistons on March 18, followed by a second 10-day deal on March 28. He has appeared in 11 games with the Pistons averaging 4.0 points (63% FG), and 2.8 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game. Overall, Cook has seen action in 28 career NBA games with Detroit, Cleveland, Denver and Brooklyn and averaged 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds.

Cook, 23, averaged 20.8 points (60% FG), 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists this season in eight games with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA’s G League. Overall, he’s averaged 14.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in 37 career G League games (18 starts).

The St. Louis, MO native played collegiately at the University of Iowa where he averaged 14.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in three seasons with the Hawkeyes.

Kings sign center Damian Jones to 10-day contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed center Damian Jones to a 10-day contract, according to Kings General Manager Monte McNair.

During the 2020-21 season, Jones most recently appeared in eight games (six starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 5.4 points (.941 FG%, .917 FT%), 3.3 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 14.0 minutes per game.

In five NBA seasons, the 6-11, 245-pound Vanderbilt alum has garnered career averages of 4.3 points (.672 FG%, .686 FT%), 2.9 rebounds, 0.7 blocks and 13.3 minutes per game in 126 games (55 starts) with four teams: Golden State (2016-19), Atlanta (2019-20), Phoenix (2020-21) and Los Angeles Lakers (2020-21).

Sacramento’s roster stands at 17 players.

Pelicans guard Josh Hart out after thumb surgery

New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart underwent surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right thumb. The surgery was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Hart will be re-examined and an update on his return to play will be made available in approximately three weeks.

Additionally, an MRI taken yesterday on Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker revealed a moderate left high ankle sprain. Alexander-Walker will be re-evaluated in two weeks and further updates will be provided upon re-evaluation.

Heat will reportedly add center Dewayne Dedmon

The Heat will reportedly soon add to their frontcourt depth. Via the Miami Herald:

The Heat plans to sign veteran center Dewayne Dedmon, giving Miami insurance behind Bam Adebayo, according to two sources briefed on the situation.

The deal, which is expected to be for the remainder of the season, is contingent on Dedmon going through COVID protocols successfully and passing a physical.

Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley out with hamstring injury

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken today at Mayo Clinic Square on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley revealed a grade 3 left hamstring injury. Beasley will be sidelined between 4-6 weeks and will be reassessed in three weeks. Further updates to his progress will be issued when available.

In 37 games (36 starts) this season, Beasley is averaging 19.6 points on 44.0% shooting, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

Per the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “guard D’Angelo Russell did return to the lineup Monday at Target Center against Sacramento. Russell had left knee surgery and missed the past 30 games.”

Clippers sign DeMarcus Cousins to 10-day contract

The LA Clippers have signed center DeMarcus Cousins to a 10-day contract.

Cousins, 30, holds career averages of 20.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 590 appearances with the Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. The 6-foot-10 center is one of 11 players in NBA history to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Originally the fifth overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft, Cousins is a four-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Second Team member, and an Olympic Gold Medalist with Team USA.

A native of Mobile, Ala., Cousins appeared in 25 games for the Rockets this season and averaged 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 20.2 minutes.

Knicks sign John Henson to 10-day contract

The New York Knicks have signed forward/center John Henson to a 10-day contract.

Henson, 6-9, 222-pounds, holds career averages of 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.44 blocks over 19.7 minutes in 445 games (160 starts) across eight seasons with Milwaukee, Cleveland and Detroit. Henson ranked in the Top-15 in the NBA in blocks per game four times throughout his career (2013-15; 2016-18). He appeared in 14 playoff games (two starts) for Milwaukee and averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds over 19.4 minutes.

The Greensboro, NC-native, was originally selected by Milwaukee with the 14th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Prior to the NBA, the two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year spent three seasons at the University of North Carolina helping the Tarheels reach the Elite 8 twice.

The roster now stands at 17 with two two-way players.

Utah Jazz update on the wearing of masks at home games

The Utah Jazz and Vivint Arena announced today the continued requirement of wearing masks at home games and all facility events as a health and safety protocol against COVID-19, even after the scheduled April 10 lifting of a statewide mask mandate.

Face masks over the nose and mouth are required for guests and staff (age 2+) throughout the arena unless a person is actively eating or drinking. Compliance with mandatory masks aligns with the safety measures established by the NBA and local health officials for mass gatherings.

Other COVID-19 procedures will remain in place, including health screenings, socially distanced seating arrangements, contactless entry with digital tickets, cashless transactions for concessions and merchandise, and reduced capacity in common spaces.

Vivint Arena has also implemented a “no bag” policy this year to expedite entry and reduce screening touchpoints. The only exceptions are diaper and medical bags that will be X-rayed and cannot be larger than 14x14x6 inches.

“We continue to prioritize the health and safety of our fans, employees and players,” said Utah Jazz President Jim Olson. “We are pleased that fans have been able to attend games since December in a limited capacity with incremental increases. While progress is being made with ongoing vaccinations, we are staying the course to maintain a safe and comfortable environment and will adjust our plans as public health conditions improve.”

The Jazz began the second half of the NBA season in March with an arena capacity of about 5,500 fans. The Jazz have an upcoming five-game homestand from April 8-16. The final home game of the regular season at Vivint Arena is scheduled for May 12.