Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Pistons forward Ausar Thompson out for season due to blood clot

Pistons forward Ausar Thompson will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season while being treated for a blood clot. Under the guidance of Pistons team physician Dr. Ramsey Shehab of Henry Ford Health, Thompson has been cleared to resume conditioning and will begin non-contact basketball activities at the conclusion of the regular season with a gradual ramp up over the summer months in preparation for a full return next season.

Pistons center Isaiah Stewart will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season with a right hamstring strain suffered during the third quarter of Monday’s contest at Boston.

Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell undergoes procedure to fix nasal fracture

Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell sustained a nasal fracture at Houston on March 16 and missed the Cavaliers’ next game at Indiana on March 18. A medical procedure was performed this morning at Cleveland Clinic to realign the affected area. Mitchell will be reevaluated in approximately one week and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Phoenix will host 2027 NBA All-Star weekend

The NBA recently (on March 7) announced that Phoenix has been selected to host 2027 NBA All-Star weekend.

The 76th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns, on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2027. NBA All-Star 2027 will mark the city’s fourth NBA All-Star, having hosted the event in 1975, 1995 and 2009.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement earlier in March during a press conference at Footprint Center, where he was joined by Suns Chairman Mat Ishbia and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, with a recorded message from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.

“Our NBA All-Star festivities in 2027 will showcase Phoenix’s love of everything basketball,” said Silver. “And we couldn’t be more excited to work with Mat Ishbia and the entire Suns organization for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of our sport.”

“Phoenix is the ultimate basketball destination and we are excited for fans from around the world to experience our amazing city,” said Ishbia. “We will provide an NBA All-Star Weekend unlike any other, showcasing the passion of our fans, our city, and everything that we’re building here. Thank you to the NBA and the entire Phoenix community for rallying together to bring this marquee event to Phoenix and show the world what we are all about.”

“We are excited to welcome the NBA and basketball fans to the great state of Arizona for NBA All-Star 2027. Arizona is a premier destination for sports and entertainment, and we look forward to showing fans everything that our state has to offer,” said Governor Hobbs. “Mat Ishbia and the Phoenix Suns have elevated Phoenix as one of the greatest basketball cities in the world and we are so proud to host this iconic event together.”

“The City of Phoenix is thrilled to host NBA All-Star 2027. Our city is no stranger to hosting major sports and entertainment events and this is another opportunity to put Phoenix on the global stage,” said Mayor Gallego. “NBA All-Star will bring excitement and energy to the city along with significant economic impact. Thank you to the NBA and the Phoenix Suns for the opportunity to welcome fans from around the world to our incredible city for what will be a memorable All-Star weekend.”

Cavaliers sign Marcus Morris to 10-day contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Marcus Morris Sr. to a 10-day contract, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Morris Sr. (6-8, 235), who appeared in 37 games this season with the Philadelphia 76ers, was traded to San Antonio as part of a three-team deal on February 8th before being waived on February 29th. Over his 13-year NBA career, Morris Sr. has played in 820 games (509 starts) with Houston, Phoenix, Detroit, Boston, New York, L.A. Clippers and Philadelphia, owning career averages of 12.1 points (.435 FG%, .377 3FG%, .775 FT%) and 4.5 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per contest. Additionally, he has appeared in 67 career playoff games (45 starts) with averages of 12.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 30.1 minutes while also shooting .407 from the three-point line.

The veteran forward was drafted 14th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2011 NBA Draft after a three-year collegiate career at University of Kansas (2008-2011), where he was named the 2010–11 Big 12 Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year.

Anthony Davis dealing with eye contusion

Via the OC Register:

Anthony Davis, who had an early exit from the Lakers’ 128-121 Saturday loss to the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena because of an eye contusion, is questionable for Monday’s home game vs. the Atlanta Hawks because of a left corneal abrasion, per the team.

Davis went back to the Lakers’ locker room in between the first and second quarters after getting hit in the eye by Trayce Jackson-Davis on a layup with 2:47 left in the first.

The All-Star big man didn’t get back on defense on the ensuing Warriors’ possession.

Davis stayed in the game until the final three seconds of the quarter, subbing out alongside Jaxson Hayes as part of an offensive-defensive substitution at the end of the quarter before heading back to the locker room in between quarters.

The Lakers are 36-32 this season, which is the 10th best record in the Western conference.

Timberwolves sign T.J. Warren to second 10-day contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed forward T.J. Warren to a second 10-day contract.

Since signing an original 10-day contract on March 6 with the Timberwolves, Warren is averaging 4.8 points on 47.4% shooting (9-of-19) and 2.0 rebounds in four games (16.1 minutes per game).

Warren, 6-8, has appeared in 378 career games (236 starts), averaging 14.5 points on 50.6% shooting, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 27.3 minutes per game with the Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets and Timberwolves. He scored a career-high 53 points on 20-of-29 shooting, including 9-of-12 from deep on Aug. 8, 2020 vs. Philadelphia, becoming the fourth player in Pacers history to score 50+ points in a game.

The North Carolina State University product has seen action in 10 career playoff games (six starts) with the Pacers and Suns, averaging 9.6 points on 43.7% shooting, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

Magic sign head coach Jamahl Mosley to contract extension

The Orlando Magic have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with Head Coach Jamahl Mosley, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. The contract extension runs through the 2027-28 season.

“Jamahl (Mosley) and his staff have done a tremendous job not only this season, but since we hired him back in 2021,” said Weltman. “His preparation, work ethic, ability to connect with the players, and passion he brings to the job every day brings positive results, both on the court and off. We are very happy to have Jamahl lead the Magic for years to come.”

This season, Mosley has led Orlando to a 37-28 record (.569), good for fifth-best in the Eastern Conference and just one-half game out of fourth. The Magic won their 35th game on Mar. 3, surpassing last season’s win total with 21 games remaining. Mosley was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for October/November 2023, becoming the sixth coach in franchise history to be named NBA’s Coach of the Month and the first since March/April 2019.

Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin suffers season-ending shoulder injury

The Indiana Pacers announced Saturday that guard Bennedict Mathurin has been diagnosed with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, an injury which will require surgery. The procedure will be performed by renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles next week.

Mathurin will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season and is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Jazz sign guard Taevion Kinsey to 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz have signed guard Taevion Kinsey to a 10-day contract.

Kinsey (6-5, 190, Marshall) has appeared in 25 games for the Salt Lake City Stars, the team’s G League affiliate, in 2023-24, owning averages of 10.2 points on 55.8 percent from the field and 46.8 percent from beyond the arc, along with 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 28.7 minutes per contest. He was selected to compete in the G League Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, where he earned second place.

The Columbus, Ohio, native played five seasons at Marshall (2018-23), appearing in 154 games (130 starts), owning averages of 17.1 points on 50.7 percent from the field, along with 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 34.1 minutes per contest and left the school as its all-time leading scorer with 2,641 points. He was named the 2022-23 Sun Belt Player of the Year following his final college season, with averages of 22.1 points, 5.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 32 games (all starts) and was also named to the 2022-23 All-Sun Belt First Team. He competed for the Utah entries at 2023 Salt Lake City Summer League and NBA 2K24 Summer League.

Karl-Anthony Towns injured, out at least four weeks

The Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday announced the following injury update on forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken yesterday on Towns revealed a Left Knee Lateral Meniscus Tear. Towns will undergo surgery early next week on the torn meniscus and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Further updates will be provided when available