Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Celtics sign Chris Johnson to second 10-day contract

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed guard/forward Chris Johnson to a second 10-day contract.

Johnson, a 6’6” guard/forward, has appeared in four games for the Celtics and has averaged 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 assist in 26.6 minutes per game. He posted a career-high 12 points against Brooklyn on January 26 and recorded a career-high four steals against Washington on January 22. Johnson originally signed a 10-day contract with the Celtics on January 17 after he had appeared in 20 games for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League where he had averaged 19.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 block in 37.2 minutes per game.

The Celtics are 15-31 this season, which is the fourth worst record in the league.

Utah Jazz claim Malcolm Thomas off waivers

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has claimed third-year forward Malcolm Thomas off waivers.

The 25-year-old Thomas (6-9, 225, San Diego State) was waived by San Antonio on January 23 after appearing in one game this season, scoring two points, grabbing nine rebounds with two blocks in 15 minutes vs. Milwaukee on January 19. He also appeared in 10 games while on assignment with the Spurs’ NBA Development League affiliate, the Austin Toros, where he averaged 15.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.40 blocks. Thomas was signed by the Spurs on Dec. 3 as a D-League call-up from the Los Angeles D-Fenders, for whom he appeared in two games and was averaging a league-best 33.5 points and 15.5 rebounds.

The former San Diego State Aztec has appeared in a total of 16 career NBA games over three seasons with San Antonio, Golden State and Chicago, averaging 1.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in 5.4 minutes. He previously saw action in three games for the Spurs during the 2011-12 season, and spent time with both the Warriors (five games) and Bulls (seven games) in 2012-13. Thomas also appeared briefly in three games for the Bulls in the 2013 NBA Playoffs.

Following the move, the Jazz roster now stands at 15 players.

Spurs sign Othyus Jeffers to 10-day contract

Spurs sign Othyus Jeffers to 10-day contract

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard/forward Othyus Jeffers to a 10-day contract.

Jeffers, 6-5/200, most recently played for the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League. Through 22 games this season, Jeffers was averaging 22.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.50 steals in 38.3 minutes per game while shooting .501 (176-351) from the field. Prior to his call-up, Jeffers ranked sixth in the D-League in scoring, third in rebounding and second in steals per game.

The Robert Morris University product previously saw action in one game for the Spurs during the 2010-11 season. He has also suited up for the Utah Jazz (2009-10) and the Washington Wizards (2010-11) during his NBA career. In 31 career NBA games, the Illinois native has averaged 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.

In between NBA stints, Jeffers has played in 162 D-League games, all with the Energy, averaging 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.97 steals in 35.8 minutes.

Jeffers will wear jersey No. 7 and will be available tonight when the Spurs begin their three-game road trip in Atlanta.

76ers sign Dewayne Dedmon to second 10-day contract

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced that they have signed center Dewayne Dedmon to a second 10-day contract. Dedmon signed his first 10-day contract with the Sixers on January 14, 2014. At the time, he was the 12th “Call-Up” of the 2013-14 NBA Development League season.

Dedmon (7-0, 255) has appeared in five games for the Sixers and is averaging four points, six rebounds and a block in 15 minutes per game while shooting 50% from the floor.

Hawks center Pero Antic out 2-4 weeks with ankle injury

pero antic ankle injury

Atlanta Hawks forward/center Pero Antic suffered a mild right ankle sprain against the Brooklyn Nets in London on Jan. 16. X-rays taken following the game were negative and he continued to play without missing games. An MRI and examination today by Dr. Ashok Reddy at Peachtree Orthopaedics in Atlanta revealed a stress fracture to his right ankle. He will now be placed in a protective walking boot. The expected recovery time is approximately two-to-four weeks and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Forward DeMarre Carroll left last night’s game at Orlando in the third quarter due to left hamstring irritation. After receiving treatment today and being seen by Dr. Reddy, it was determined he has a mild left hamstring strain. His status is listed as day-to-day.

Kawhi Leonard out 3-4 weeks with hand injury

Kawhi Leonard out 3-4 weeks with broken hand

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard underwent a CAT scan earlier today in San Antonio. Results confirmed he has a non-displaced fracture of the fourth metacarpal in his right hand. Leonard suffered the injury in the first half of the Spurs-Thunder game on Wednesday night. He is expected to be out three-to-four weeks.

Leonard is averaging 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season, shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from three-point range.

The Spurs are having a fantastic season. Their 32-10 record is the third best in the league and again look like a championship contender.

Sixers forward Brandon Davies undergoes finger surgery

Philadelphia 76ers forward Brandon Davies underwent successful surgery for a fractured right small finger at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. The surgery was performed by Dr. Lawrence Scott Levin, Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

The injury originally occurred in the fourth quarter of the Sixers game at Chicago on January 18, 2014.

Davies will begin rehab immediately and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Bulls sign Mike James to 10-day contract

Bulls sign Mike James to 10-day contract

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent guard Mike James to a 10-day contract. James (6-2, 188), will be in uniform tonight when the Bulls take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena at 6:00 p.m. (CT).

James, an 11-year NBA veteran, appeared in seven games with Chicago earlier this year and averaged 0.3 ppg and 0.9 apg in 5.4 mpg, before he was waived on Dec. 16, 2013.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 14.

Danilo Gallinari out for season after additional knee surgery

Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari underwent surgery this morning to reconstruct an ACL tear in his left knee.

The surgery was performed by team Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Steve Traina at Midtown Surgical Center.

“It was recently determined that the procedure that Danilo underwent on his knee this past summer was insufficient,” Nuggets General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly said.

“Danilo’s knee required that he undergo reconstruction of the ACL, which was successfully completed earlier this morning. Knowing Danilo’s drive and work ethic, we look forward to a full recovery and a healthy return to the court next season.”

Gallinari tore his ACL on April 4, 2013, against the Dallas Mavericks.