Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Former NBA player and coach Paul Westphal has passed away

STATEMENT FROM THE SUNS

The Phoenix Suns organization shares its thoughts and prayers with the Westphal family through this difficult time.

“Westy will forever be remembered as a prominent Valley sports legend both on and off the court,” said Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver. “He built an illustrious career as both a player and a coach. His legacy ranks among the most quintessential basketball icons of all time.”

Westphal left an indelible signature on the Phoenix Suns franchise with his All-NBA talent, his brilliant mind and his elite character. From guiding the team on the court in the 1976 NBA Finals to leading them from the sidelines in the 1993 NBA Finals, Westphal’s legacy in Phoenix crossed decades and his overall impact on the organization is virtually unmatched.

“Throughout the past 40 years, Westy has remained a great friend of the organization and as a trusted sounding board and confidant for me,” Sarver continued. “His number 44 will forever hold its place in our Ring of Honor, enshrined as one of the utmost deserving members.”…

Born on November 30, 1950, Westphal was a native of Torrance, CA, and spent 14 seasons with the Suns as a player and a coach.

The eventual Basketball Hall of Famer known as “Westy” was acquired by the Suns in a trade with the Boston Celtics in 1975 and spent six seasons as a player with Phoenix. He ultimately found his way back in the Valley a few years later on the Suns’ coaching staff from 1988-95. Due to his astounding career and impact across the NBA, Westphal was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 6, 2019…

Westphal became a five-time All-Star (four with the Suns) and garnered All-NBA recognition for four consecutive seasons, including three selections to the First Team. He sits as the eighth-leading scorer in Suns history, totaling 9,564 points and averaging 20.6 points per game, and was inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor on April 15, 1989.

STATEMENT FROM THE KINGS

“The Sacramento Kings organization is deeply heartbroken to learn of the passing of Paul Westphal. “Westy” created a storied legacy in the game of basketball as a Hall of Fame player, decorated coach and broadcast analyst. We are extremely grateful that a part of his incredible career was spent in Sacramento with the Kings.

“Along with the numerous accolades and achievements he earned on the court, he was a true gentleman who treated everyone he encountered with remarkable kindness, humility and candor, making an indelible impact on so many across our sport.

“The entire Kings family mourns the loss as we extend our deepest condolences to Paul’s wife Cindy, son Michael and daughter Victoria. The Westphal family remains in our hearts, thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.”

Mike Conley steps up for Jazz in win over Clippers

The Jazz beat the Clippers 106-100 Friday night. And Jazz point guard Mike Conley did serious work. Via the Salt Lake Tribune:

The Jazz are gonna need Donovan Mitchell and Bojan Bogdanovic to perform offensively at the level they’re capable of. Neither is right now, but on Friday, it didn’t matter so much with Mike Conley playing arguably his best game in a Jazz uniform.

He didn’t grab the game by the throat — he just let it come to him, making the smart, patient reads he talked about after the Phoenix loss. When he needed to swing the ball, he did. When he needed to let it fly, he did. The former earned him six assists. And when it was the latter, he was incredibly efficient: 33 points on 11-for-20 shooting, including 7 of 14 from deep.

After Conley’s 33, the second-leading Jazz scorer was Donovan Mitchell with a modest 15 points on 14 shots.

In the loss for the Clippers, Paul George had 25 points on 22 shots, plus eight rebounds, four assists, six steals and five turnovers, while Kawhi Leonard had 20 points on 19 shots, plus 16 rebounds, nine assists and three blocks.

Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton out with bone bruise in wrist

Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton underwent an MRI in Houston this morning which confirmed a left wrist bone bruise sustained in Thursday’s game versus the Houston Rockets.

The 12th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Iowa State, Haliburton is averaging 10.6 points (.529 FG%, .500 3pt%, .875 FT%), 2.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 26.8 minutes per game through five games (no starts) for the Kings during the 2020-21 season.

When the Kings return to Sacramento next week there will be an additional update on Haliburton’s status.

Hawks guard Kris Dunn undergoes arthroscopic ankle surgery

Hawks guard Kris Dunn recently underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage in his right ankle.

He will be placed in a walking boot, and after two weeks of rest, his health status will be reviewed.

Per the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “I know (vice president of athletic performance and sports medicine Chelsea Lane has) been in communication with (him) and the family,” Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said Thursday (the team is still in Brooklyn, and will face the Nets again Friday). “It sounds as if everything went well, as well as the surgery can go, and he’s staying here at the hotel. But he’s post-op and laying low.”

Heat should have Jimmy Butler back in action soon

The Heat have had a wild ride lately, losing by 47 to the Bucks two days ago, then beating them yesterday. This without Jimmy Butler, who should return to action any day now. Possibly tomorrow. Via the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

Jimmy Butler took flight with the Miami Heat on Thursday, listed as probable for Friday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, after missing the past two games due to a sprained right ankle.

Butler was injured in the Dec. 23 season-opening loss in Orlando. He played through that game against the Magic and then in the first half of the Heat’s Christmas Day home-opening victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

The 2-2 Heat have been led in scoring by Bam Adebayo at 19.0 points per game, Tyler Herro at 17.0 PPG, Goran Dragic off the bench at 16.5 PPG, and new addition Avery Bradley at 14.0 PPG.

After 47-point loss to Bucks, Heat bounce back with win

The Miami Heat got destroyed by the Milwaukee Bucks a few days ago, but quickly got a chance at revenge and were able to capitalize. Via the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

Back in the same building against the same opponent one night after losing by 47 to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Heat this time limited their largest deficit to 14 — instead of the 51 a night earlier — and then drew a line on the AmericanAirlines Arena hardwood.

So from Tuesday night’s 144-97 torment, the Heat made a quick turnaround to Wednesday night’s 119-108 resounding resurgence…

A night after the Bucks shot a record-setting 29 of 51 on 3-pointers, there was a more mundane 16 of 41 from Milwaukee.

Without Jimmy Butler for a second consecutive night, as the All-Star forward deals with a balky right ankle, Spoelstra shuffled his starting lineup and rotation and dealt a winning hand to leave his team with a 2-2 start to the season.

The Heat often do things differently. In this case, their leading scorer was a reserve: Goran Dragic, with 26 points. Their leading rebounder was a guard: Tyler Herro, with 15 rebounds. And their assists leader was their center: Bam Adebayo, with 10 assists.

Kings guard-forward DaQuan Jeffries injured, out at least six weeks

The Sacramento Kings will be without guard-forward DaQuan Jeffries for at least the next six weeks.

An MRI conducted this morning on Jeffries confirmed that he suffered a Grade 3 left ankle sprain during live 4-on-4 play on December 29 as part of his return to play progression.

The Kings are off to a 3-1 start this season. They’ve been led in scoring so far by De’Aaron Fox at 20.3 points per game, Buddy Hield at 16.3 PPG, and Harrison Barnes and Marvin Bagley each at 13.8 PPG.

Blazers center Zach Collins undergoes ankle surgery

Portland Trail Blazers forward/center Zach Collins underwent revision ankle surgery today to repair a left medial malleolus stress fracture, it was announced by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.

Collins previously underwent ankle surgery on September 1.

Injuries limited Collins to just 11 games played last season. That was due to a shoulder injury.

Collins is out indefinitely and his status will be updated accordingly.

Knicks forward Julius Randle gets triple-double in win over Cavs

Knicks forward Julius Randle had himself a game tonight. Via the New York Daily News:

They’re not the most talented team on most nights, but efficient 3-point shooting, a commitment to defense and Julius Randle’s all-around excellence has the Knicks on a two-game winning streak.

Randle, the once-maligned power forward, posted an exquisite triple-double in Tuesday’s 95-86 victory in Cleveland, dropping 28 points with 12 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists. He again served as the Knicks’ top playmaker, and countered sporadic sloppy play (nine turnovers) with early All-Star production. The Knicks used the eighth overall pick last month on Randle’s potential replacement, Obi Toppin. But with Toppin injured, Randle continues to solidify his position as the franchise’s top player.

Randle did commit nine turnovers. But let’s overlook that for today.

The Knicks started Elfrid Payton and R.J. Barrett at guard, Reggie Bullock and Randle at forward, and Mitchell Robinson at center. Three players received bench minutes: Kevin Knox, Nerlens Noel and Frank Ntilikina.

No return date yet for Celtics guard Kemba Walker

The Celtics lost Gordon Hayward in free agency this offseason, and haven’t had starting point guard Kemba Walker in action yet. Via Boston.com:

Kemba Walker still doesn’t have a timeline to return to Celtics’ lineup as he recovers from a stem-cell injection in his left knee.

Walker received the experimental treatment in early October. Prior to the season, he told reporters the injection “definitely calmed my knee down a lot.” …

“No update that I’ve received, other than that he’s progressing,” Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said.

The Celtics enjoyed a win tonight, beating the Pacers 116-111. Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown started in the backcourt, and Jayson Tatum, Tristan Thompson and Daniel Theis in the frontcourt.