NBA News Blog – Page 802 – NBA Blog

Kobe Bryant will not return to play this season

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who is recovering from a fractured lateral tibial plateau of his left knee, was examined today by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo, who determined that Bryant’s injury has still not healed. With this diagnosis, Bryant will not return to play this season, it was announced today by the team.

“With Kobe’s injury still not healed, the amount of time he’d need to rehab and be ready to play, and the amount of time remaining in the season, we’ve simply run out of time for him to return,” said Athletic Trainer Gary Vitti. “However, Kobe will have the entire offseason to heal, rehab and prepare, and we look forward to him being 100% for the start of next season.”

“Obviously this has been a frustrating and disappointing season, but I appreciate all the support I’ve received from the Lakers and the fans, and look forward to being back and ready for the start of training camp,” said Bryant.

According to ESPN.com News Services, “In all, Bryant played six games this season, averaging 13.8 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 42.5 percent shooting from the field. The Lakers are 22-42, tied for the worst record in the Western Conference. Los Angeles signed Bryant to a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension in November. The five-time NBA champion called his recovery “a slow process” during a news conference in New Orleans at All-Star Weekend last month.”

Also according to ESPN.com News Services, “The Lakers still must pay Bryant his entire $30.453 million salary for the 2013-14 season, and an insurance policy will cover only 15.6 percent of it ($4.75 million). After a player misses 41 consecutive games because of an injury, the league’s insurance policy kicks in. Starting with the 42nd game, the insurance pays for 80 percent of the player’s salary for games missed.”

Cavs sign Shane Edwards to 10-day contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Shane Edwards from the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League team, to a 10-day contract, Cavaliers acting General Manager David Griffin announced today. To create the roster spot for Edwards, the team released forward Arinze Onuaku from his second 10-Day contract that was set to expire on March 13th.

Edwards has appeared in 40 games (32 starts) for the Charge this season, averaging 13.3 points on .547 shooting and 5.5 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game. The 6-7, 220-pound forward has scored 15 or more points 15 times on the season, including in 9 of his last 11 games, and has two double-doubles for the year.

Edwards will join the team in Phoenix today and will be available for tonight’s game against the Suns. He will wear jersey number 24.

Cavs forward Anthony Bennett injured, out around 3 weeks

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie forward Anthony Bennett was examined yesterday by Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health. His exam and MRI revealed a left patellar tendon strain.

He will be OUT approximately three weeks while receiving treatment and continued evaluation.

His status will be updated as appropriate.

Bennett hasn’t played much in his first NBA season, averaging just 4.1 points in 12.7 minutes per game for the 24-40 Cavs.

According to the Associated Press, “Bennett has appeared lost at times on the floor, and it hasn’t helped that he’s put added pressure on himself trying to live up to being the top pick. Through it all, Bennett has continued to work hard and there have been flashes of the 6-foot-8, 260-pounder’s immense talent and potential. The Cavs will likely take a cautious approach with Bennett, and unless they move themselves into playoff position, it’s possible his season could be over. Bennett’s averaging only 4.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13 minutes per game.”

Knicks sign Shannon Brown and Earl Clark to second 10-day contracts

New York Knicks President and General Manager Steve Mills announced today that the team has signed guard Shannon Brown and forward Earl Clark each to second 10-day contracts.

Brown, 6-4, 210-pounds, is averaging 1.4 points and 1.0 rebounds over 8.3 minutes in seven games with New York.

Clark, 6-10, 234-pounds, is averaging 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds over 6.6 minutes in six games with New York.

Raptors forward Patrick Patterson out with elbow injury

Raptors foward Patrick Patterson out with elbow injury

The Toronto Raptors announced today forward Patrick Patterson will be sidelined with a right ulnar collateral sprain. Patterson aggravated his elbow during Friday’s game versus Sacramento. He will be reevaluated in seven-to-10 days.

Patterson has averaged 9.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 23.4 minutes since being acquired by the Raptors from Sacramento on December 9.

The Raptors face the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at Target Center at 7 p.m. ET (Sportsnet ONE/Sportsnet 590 The FAN).

Wizards sign Drew Gooden to second 10-day contract

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed forward Drew Gooden to a second 10-day contract.

Gooden, who was originally signed by the Wizards on February 26, has averaged 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.0 minutes over three games.

The veteran big-man provides frontcourt depth for the 32-29 Wizards.

Heat sign DeAndre Liggins to second 10-day contract

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed guard DeAndre Liggins to a second 10-day contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Liggins, who was signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on February 25, appeared in one game with Miami totaling two points and one rebound in 1:24 minutes while shooting 1-of-1 from the field in a, 124-107, win against Charlotte on March 3.

Liggins, a 2014 NBA Development League All-Star, appeared in 35 games (34 starts) with the HEAT’s NBA D-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, earlier this season and averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.54 steals and 40.3 minutes while shooting 39.8 percent from the field.

OJ Mayo suspended for striking Greg Stiemsma

Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo has been suspended one game without pay for forcibly striking New Orleans Pelicans center Greg Stiemsma in the throat, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Mayo was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected occurred with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter of Milwaukee’s 112-104 loss to the Pelicans on Friday, March 7, at Smoothie King Center.

Mayo will serve his suspension tonight when the Bucks host the Washington Wizards at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

To view the play, click on this link.

Celtics center Vitor Faverani out for season after knee surgery

The Boston Celtics announced today that center Vitor Faverani had successful left knee arthroscopy to repair a torn lateral meniscus at the New England Baptist Hospital. The procedure was performed by Celtics team physician Dr. Brian McKeon and was assisted by Jason Rand, PAC. Faverani will not return this season.

According to ESPN Boston, “Celtics coach Brad Stevens said what was planned as a simple scope soon turned into a pretty major repair. “When they went in and scoped his knee, they found a meniscus tear,” said Stevens. “The way it was explained to me, it was near the root. That was the source of his major discomfort the past couple weeks. And so, it’s going to be a pretty significant rehab and so that was obviously not good news.”

Faverani, a 6’11” center, has appeared in 37 games during his rookie season for the Celtics where he averaged 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.73 blocks in 13.2 minutes per game. He recorded a season-high of 13 point against Toronto on October 30 and recorded season-highs of 18 rebounds and six blocks against Milwaukee on November 1. Faverani also appeared in four games for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League on assignment this season where he averaged 12.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 block in 25.0 minutes per game.

Clippers beat Lakers by 48 points

Five seconds into the second half, Chris Paul picked up a steal and Matt Barnes finished after Paul missed a reverse layup.

Less than a minute into the third period, the Clippers had run off six points to hike their lead to 39 points and then, finally, there were some boos for the Lakers at Staples Center.

There might not have been enough fans left by the end to release their frustration after the Clippers scored a 142-94 thrashing that was about as lopsided as any NBA game could be.

“We took a body blow and it looked like it just took us to our knees,” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said. “For whatever reason, maybe we couldn’t finish and make plays or anything. They smelled blood in the water and they killed us.”

It was the Clippers’ largest winning margin in their history, eclipsing the previous mark of 45 points. The Lakers equaled the worst loss in their history.

— Los Angeles Daily News Clippers blog

Blake Griffin had 20 points and 11 rebounds during three thunderous quarters by the Clippers, who routed the Lakers 142-94 Thursday night to extend their winning streak to a season-best six games. It was the most lopsided victory ever for the Clippers’ franchise and the most one-sided loss in Lakers history.

”Since Day 1, there’s always going to be something to talk about since we both play here in this building. During the game, all the fans were yelling: ‘It’s still a Laker town.’ And it is – no secret,” Clippers point guard Chris Paul said. ”But we just have to worry about us and keep playing. It’s going in the right direction. We don’t want to get too high or too low. We just want to try to keep getting better.”

Darren Collison had a team-high 24 points while starting at shooting guard for the injured Jamal Crawford. Paul added 13 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, who have won the teams’ last two meetings by a combined 84 points.

— Associated Press

The Clippers had a 64-33 rebounding advantage and increased their lead in the Pacific Division to 4 1/2 games over Golden State.

The Lakers are one defeat away from clinching the franchise’s first losing season since 2004-05 – when newly hired coach Rudy Tomjanovich resigned midway through the team’s 34-48 season.

— Associated Press

The Clippers had eight players score in double figures en route to a 142-94 blowout of the Lakers on Thursday night at Staples Center. The 48-point margin was the worst defeat in Lakers history and the largest win in Clippers history. The 142 points were a season high for the Clippers.

— Sports Xchange

The Clippers blew the game open in the second quarter. They enjoyed a 29-4 run, and they took a 58-31 lead after a dunk by Griffin. The Clippers outscored the Lakers 44-13 in the quarter for a 73-40 advantage at the half. They also outrebounded the Lakers 22-5 in the second period. Overall, the Clippers had a 64-33 edge on the boards, including a 16-4 difference on the offensive end.

Collison outscored the entire Lakers team 14-13 in the second quarter.

Collison said the Lakers’ 116-103 victory in the season opener between the teams in October provided additional motivation for the Clippers in the past two meetings.

— Sports Xchange