The AP reports: Rajon Rondo was off and running, and Kevin Garnett was hardly missed. Rondo scored a career-high 32 points to go with 10 assists on his 23rd birthday in Boston’s 128-108 victory over the Suns on Sunday… Ray Allen scored 31 and Pierce 26 in Boston’s first game since Garnett went down with a strained muscle in his right knee that is expected to sidelined him for at least two weeks… Jason Richardson scored 21 for the Suns in their first loss in four games under new coach Alvin Gentry. Steve Nash added 19 points and 11 assists. Leandro Barbosa scored 18 and Shaquille O’Neal 17 for Phoenix.
Category: Boston Celtics Blog
Celtics blog – Boston Celtics blog. A great Celtics news blog
Kevin Garnett out 2-3 weeks
The Boston Globe (Marc Spears) reports: Celtics president Danny Ainge said early this morning that injured forward Kevin Garnett will be out 2-3 weeks with a posterior muscle strain of the right knee. The All-Star suffered the injury during the second quarter of Thursday’s loss at Utah.
InsideHoops.com editor says: No worries. Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis will average 25 points, 23 rebounds and 20 assists per game while KG heals up.
Garnett hurt, Jazz beat Celtics 90-85
The Utah Jazz beat the Boston Celtics 90-85 as the losing squad lost star Kevin Garnett to injury. More will be known tomorrow on KG’s status. The game was an ugly, defensive struggle as both teams missed from all over the court. The two squads combined to shoot 6-of-23 from three-point range.
For Utah, Mehmet Okur had 19 points and 6 rebounds, Deron Williams (6-of-17) had 18 points and 10 assists, and Ronnie Brewer scored 16. Paul Millsap grabbed 10 rebounds.
For Boston, Paul Pierce (7-of-19) had 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals but 5 turnovers. Rajon Rondo had 15 points and 7 assists. Ray Allen (4-of-15) and Kendrick Perkins (6-of-6) each scored 12.
Raptors, Celtics, Kings trade Will Solomon, Patrick O’Bryant; Kings waive Mikki Moore
The Sacramento Kings today acquired Will Solomon from the Toronto Raptors and cash considerations from the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade that sent Boston’s Patrick O’Bryant to Toronto and a protected Kings’ second round pick in 2014 to Boston, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. In a related move, Sacramento waived Mikki Moore.
“Considering the recent roster moves made over the last 24 hours, this trade allows us to bring in an experienced guard in Will, when you consider his time in the NBA, coupled with his extensive experience playing professionally overseas,” said Petrie. “We also want to thank Mikki for his contribution and wish him the best.”
Solomon, a 6-1, 185-pound guard, who is currently in his second NBA season, averaged 4.9 points (.436 FGs, .263 3FGs, .833 FTs), 3.2 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game through 39 outings with Toronto this season. He was originally selected in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies as an early entry candidate out of Clemson where he enjoyed a three-year collegiate career. Solomon played one season (2001-02) for the Grizzlies and has played overseas since 2002. He has amassed NBA career averages of 5.1 points (.375 FGs, .279 3FGs, .711 FTs), 2.1 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game over 101 contests, of which he has started in 13 with Memphis and Toronto.
Moore, a 7-0, 225-pound forward/center, who is currently in his 11th NBA season, averaged 3.5 points (.521 FGs, .810 FTs) and 3.3 rebounds per game through 46 outings, of which he started in 20 for the Kings this season. After a four-year collegiate career at Nebraska, Moore was not drafted by an NBA team in the 1997 NBA Draft. He has posted career averages of 5.9 points (.548 FGs, .154 3FGs, .744 FTs) and 3.9 rebounds per game over 510 contests, of which he has started in 161 for Detroit (1998-2002), Boston (2002-03), Atlanta (2002-03), New Jersey (2003-04 and 2006-07), Utah (2003-04), Los Angeles Clippers (2004-05), Seattle (2005-06) and Sacramento (2007-09).
Celtics recall J.R. Giddens from D-League
The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled rookie guard J.R. Giddens from their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash.
Giddens was reassigned to the Flash on February 5 and has appeared in three games since his second assignment with averages of 17.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Giddens has appeared in 15 games for the Flash this season with season averages of 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.27 steals and 1.40 blocks per game.
Al Jefferson has right knee surgery
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson underwent successful surgery today to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. The procedure was performed this morning by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, N.Y. Jefferson suffered the injury during the Timberwolves Feb. 8 game at New Orleans and will be sidelined indefinitely as he begins rehabilitation.
Jefferson appeared in all 50 games for the Timberwolves this season prior to his injury, posting averages of 23.1 ppg (7th in NBA), 11.0 rpg (6th in NBA), and 1.7 bpg. The fifth-year center was one of just three players in the NBA (Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan) to post at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game this season. Jefferson also ranked fifth in the NBA with 30 double-doubles at the time of his injury and was shooting 49.7% from the field and a career-best 73.8% from the free-throw line.
Tony Allen out 8 weeks
The Boston Celtics announced today that guard Tony Allen underwent successful surgery to repair ligaments in his left thumb at New England Baptist Hospital. Allen will miss the next eight weeks.
Allen, a 6’4” 213lb guard, is currently in his fifth season with the Celtics and is averaging 7.8 points and 1.25 steals in 19.1 minutes per game. Allen has scored in double-figures 17 times this season in 42 contests and has led the Celtics in steals in 11 games. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy netted a season-high of 23 points against the Pistons on November 9.
Tony Allen needs thumb surgery
The bench of the Boston Celtics relies on a select few guys, and one of them is going to be unavailable for a while. The Boston Globe (Marc J. Spears) reports (via blog):
Celtics president Danny Ainge said that guard Tony Allen is slated to have left thumb surgery tomorrow and he is hopeful he will return to action by the playoffs. The injury-plagued Allen suffered the injury on Feb. 8 versus San Antonio and has already missed 15 games this season to ankle and thumb injuries.
Allen this season is 7th on the team in scoring and in 19.1 minutes per game averages 7.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. He’s shooting well from two-point range but his three-point shot has been virtually nonexistent.
NBA to borrow $175 million
The Sports Business Journal (Daniel Kaplan and John Lombardo) reports: The NBA is set to borrow $175 million Feb. 26, marking one of the first league financings since the implosion of the credit markets last fall. The money, which will be available to 15 teams, supplements an existing $1.7 billion leaguewide credit facility that uses the NBA’s media contracts as collateral to secure loans for the clubs. The NBA surveyed its teams, and 15 responded they would like to tap into the new borrowing. While the league said it is pleased to borrow in an extremely illiquid credit market, the deal came at a cost, with interest rates up to 8.27 percent, hammering home the notion that the era of cheap money in sports is over. The 15 teams can use the money for any purpose, but covering operating losses may be high on the list.
InsideHoops.com editor says: Loan me three fiddy. I want some ribs.
Celtics trade Sam Cassell to Kings
The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has traded guard Sam Cassell and cash considerations to the Sacramento Kings for a future conditional second round draft pick.
“Sam was an important piece of our championship team last season. His profound knowledge of the game and his infectious personality will be missed from our locker room. We wish Sam the best of luck.” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations.
Cassell, a 6’3”, 193lb guard, is in his 16th NBA season. The former Florida State Seminole had yet to appear in a game for the Celtics this season. He averaged 4.5 points and 1.2 assists in 12.6 minutes per game during the 2008 NBA playoffs in which the Celtics won their NBA-record 17th title.