Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Eric Gordon injury update: Not ready to return for Hornets just yet

Eric Gordon not ready to return for Hornets just yet

The New Orleans Hornets will get injured shooting guard Eric Gordon back on the bench for moral support Saturday night when the team plays the Indiana Pacers in New Orleans Arena.

But Coach Monty Williams said here Friday that Gordon’s first game action isn’t imminent. “He’s been doing so much rehab now I think it’s a matter of him getting his game condition back,” Williams said after the team’s morning shoot-around in preparation for Friday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs. “The only way to do that is to play. But there’s some things he can do to build a base before he steps on the floor so that’s what (the Hornets training and strength and conditioning staff) will be doing over the next few days.”

Gordon has rehabilitated and strengthened his ailing right knee in Los Angeles since Nov. 7 and said Wednesday night he’d be playing by the end of the month.

Williams said Friday Gordon had not yet been cleared for contact work.

— Reported by Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans Times-Picayune

Celtics recall Kris Joseph from D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled forward Kris Joseph from their NBA Development League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.

Joseph, a 6’7 forward, has appeared in seven games for the Red Claws this season and has posted averages of 20.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.0 steals in 38.1 minutes per game. At the time of his recall he was ranked fifth in the NBA Development League in points per game.

Brooklyn Nets assign Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor to D-League

The Brooklyn Nets have assigned forward Tornike Shengelia and guard Tyshawn Taylor to the Springfield Armor of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by General Manager Billy King.

Shengelia, acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers after being drafted 54th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, has appeared in five games this season, scoring 10 points with two rebounds.

Taylor, a rookie out of Kansas, has made 10 appearances on the year, scoring 13 points with three steals and two assists.

Both players will be in uniform when the Armor take on the Erie BayHawks tonight at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

Timberwolves waive Josh Howard, who has a torn ACL

Josh Howard

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has waived forward/guard Josh Howard after an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) revealed he has a torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) in his right knee. The injury, which will sideline him for the remainder of the season, occurred in the second quarter of the Friday, Dec. 14 contest at New Orleans.

“It’s unfortunate to see Josh’s season come to an abrupt end due to injury,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Due to several injuries, we have an immediate need at the wing position, necessitating today’s transaction. Josh was a consummate professional and important contributor to our team in his short time with us and we wish him the best with his recovery.”

Signed by the Wolves as a free agent on November 16, Howard averaged 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11 games this season for Minnesota.

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Tim Duncan joins rarefied air at 23,000 points

Tim Duncan joins rarefied air at 23,000 points

The milestone came without fanfare, befitting the low-key superstar who accomplished it.

With a pair of free throws at the 9:15 mark of the third quarter of the Spurs’ loss at Denver on Tuesday, Tim Duncan became the 26th NBA player to reach 23,000 points.

Needing 15 points to hit that plateau, Duncan didn’t stop there. He left the Pepsi Center with his season’s most power-packed box score: 31 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and five blocks.

It was another turn-back-the-clock night in a season full of them for the Spurs’ 36-year-old metronome…

He is one of only six active players to make this list.

— Reported by Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News

Spurs recall Kawhi Leonard from D-League

Spurs recall Kawhi Leonard from D-League

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have recalled Kawhi Leonard from the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League.

The forward, who has been sidelined with quadriceps tendinitis, left knee since Nov. 17,  was sent to the Toros for a medical rehab assignment on Wednesday.

Prior to the injury, Leonard appeared in nine games for the Silver and Black, averaging 10.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.00 steals in 28.9 minutes.

Rapper Fat Joe admits evading taxes, may face jail time

Rap star “Fat Joe” faces up to two years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to failing to pay taxes on nearly $3 million in income over two years.

The performer, whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, entered the plea in federal court in New Jersey because some of the companies he earns money from are incorporated there.

The 42-year-old Miami Beach, Fla., resident entered pleas to two counts covering years 2007 and 2008 but his sentencing will take into consideration the government’s initial allegation that he failed to pay income taxes for years 2007 through 2010.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Cavs recall Jon Leuer from D-League

The Cleveland Cavaliers have recalled forward Jon Leuer from the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League team, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today.

Leuer has appeared in six games (all starts) for the Charge this season, averaging 20.3 points on .545 shooting and 12.3 rebounds in 35.8 minutes per game, helping the Charge go 5-1 in those games. Leuer has played in five games this season for the Cavs, averaging 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game.

Spurs assign Kawhi Leonard to D-League for medical rehab

Kawhi Leonard

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have assigned Kawhi Leonard to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League for a medical rehab assignment. Leonard has been sidelined with quadriceps tendinitis, left knee since Nov. 17.

Prior to the injury, Leonard appeared in nine games for the Silver and Black, averaging 10.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.00 steals in 28.9 minutes.

Leonard will practice with the Toros today and then be re-evaluated by team doctors. At that point, a timeline for his return will be determined.