NBA News Blog – Page 766 – NBA Blog

Kevin Durant injury: fracture in foot, out 6-8 weeks

We’re just about a week through NBA preseason and already a major injury has struck the league.

The Oklahoma City Thunder released the following statement on behalf of Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti regarding forward Kevin Durant:

“After practice yesterday, Kevin made us aware of discomfort in his right foot. We proceeded to perform the necessary imagining studies to determine the cause of his discomfort. At this stage, Kevin has been diagnosed with a Jones fracture. Traditional treatment of this injury requires a surgical procedure and recent NBA cases have resulted in a return to play in 6-8 weeks. We are in the process of collaboratively evaluating the most appropriate next steps with Kevin, his representatives, and Thunder medical personnel. Until a course of action is determined, we are unable to provide a timeline specific to Kevin’s case.”

Bradley Beal injury: broken wrist

Bradley Beal suffers injury: broken wrist

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal underwent an MRI exam today that revealed a non-displaced fracture of the scaphoid bone in his left (non-shooting) wrist that will require surgery.

The injury occurred during the first quarter of Washington’s preseason game against Charlotte in Greenville, SC, on October 10.

A timeline for Beal’s recovery will be announced following his surgery.

Jordan Clarkson out with calf strain

Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson, who was injured in the 2nd quarter of last night’s game against the Golden State Warriors, was examined this morning by Dr. Steven Yoon of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, and was diagnosed with a moderate strain of his left calf muscle.

Clarkson is expected to miss a minimum of a week.

Kris Humphries finger injury: out 3-4 weeks

Wizards forward Kris Humphries underwent successful surgery yesterday to repair nerve damage in his right small finger. Humphries lacerated his hand on the rim, between his fourth and fifth phalanxes (small and ring finger), in the second quarter of Washington’s preseason game at Chicago on 10/6. The procedure was performed by Dr. Richard Barth.

Humphries is expected to miss three to four weeks before resuming basketball activity.

Utah Jazz waive Dee Bost and Kevin Murphy

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has waived guards Dee Bost and Kevin Murphy. Following the moves, Utah’s roster now stands at 17 players.

Bost (6-2, 176, Mississippi State) did not see action for the Jazz, while Murphy (6-5, 200, Tennessee Tech) appeared in one preseason game for Utah, totaling four points, one rebound and an assist in five minutes of action. Bost was signed as a free agent on August 15, while Murphy was added on August 27.

Pelicans waive Vernon Macklin

The New Orleans Pelicans announced Thursday that the team has waived forward Vernon Macklin.

Macklin, 6-10, 227, was the 52nd overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. In 23 games with Detroit, Macklin averaged 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds. Most recently, Macklin played for Liaoning of the Chinese Basketball Association where he averaged 12.9 points and 5.7 rebounds. The University of Florida product was a member of the Orlando Magic’s 2014 summer league roster.

Mitch McGary foot injury: Out six weeks

Mitch McGary injures foot, out six weeks

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced that rookie forward Mitch McGary underwent an evaluation today that confirmed he suffered a fracture in his left second metatarsal (foot) during last night’s preseason game at Denver. He is expected to miss approximately six weeks.

McGary, the 21st overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, finished the game with 14 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the floor, to go along with four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 36 minutes of action.

Pacers pick up Solomon Hill contract option

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have picked up the 2015-16 option on forward Solomon Hill’s contract.

Hill, entering his second season with the Pacers, averaged 1.7 points and 1.5 rebounds per game last season. He’s a 6-7, 225-pound small forward, born in Los Angeles, attended Arizona, and was drafted 23rd overall by the Pacers.

Grizzlies name Elliot Perry Director of Player Support

The Memphis Grizzlies have added Elliot Perry to its Basketball Operations department as Director of Player Support, the team announced today.

Now entering his 10th season with the organization, Perry’s responsibilities in this role will include working with Grizzlies players on facets of life outside of basketball and preparing them, personally and professionally, for long-term success on and off the court. Among other duties, Perry also will act as an advisor with respect to efforts in the community and Grizzlies Foundation.

“Elliot has deep ties to this franchise and a lifelong bond with city of Memphis. In addition, he is a wonderful example of someone who has achieved sustained success both personally and professionally,” Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace said. “We are excited for him to take on this role in mentoring our players in both their current careers and their post-basketball endeavors. We hope as an organization to continue building a long-term connection between the city and our players well beyond their playing days.”

A member of the Grizzlies ownership group since 2005, Perry will also step into a new role as Chairman of the Board for the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation after previously holding the title of Vice Chairman. In addition, he will continue in a limited capacity as an analyst for the team’s radio broadcast, a position he has held for the last seven seasons.

A Memphis native, Perry played for seven different teams over a 10-year NBA career (1991-92, 1994-2002), including a two-game stint with the Grizzlies in his final season in the league. Nicknamed “Socks” after his trademark knee-highs, he finished as runner-up for the 1995 NBA Most Improved Player Award after averaging 9.7 points, 4.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game for the Phoenix Suns.

The Treadwell High School graduate started every game of his four-year collegiate career (1987-91) with the Memphis State Tigers, leading the program to two NCAA Tournament appearances and a second-round berth in 1987. After graduating with a degree in marketing, Perry was drafted in the second round (37th overall) of the 1991 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers.

Knicks sign center Didier Mbenga

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed center Didier Mbenga.

Mbenga, 7-0, 240-pounds, holds career averages of 1.8 points and 1.5 rebounds over 6.7 minutes in 234 games (four starts) over seven seasons with Dallas, Golden State, L.A. Lakers and New Orleans. The Democratic Republic of Congo-native, who won two NBA titles with the Lakers (2009 & 2010) and last played in the NBA for New Orleans in 2010-11. He spent the last two seasons playing overseas in China (2012) and the Philippines (2013) after beginning his professional career in Belgium (2001-04).