Clippers sign DeMarcus Cousins to 10-day contract

The LA Clippers have signed center DeMarcus Cousins to a 10-day contract.

Cousins, 30, holds career averages of 20.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 590 appearances with the Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. The 6-foot-10 center is one of 11 players in NBA history to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Originally the fifth overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft, Cousins is a four-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Second Team member, and an Olympic Gold Medalist with Team USA.

A native of Mobile, Ala., Cousins appeared in 25 games for the Rockets this season and averaged 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 20.2 minutes.

Knicks sign John Henson to 10-day contract

The New York Knicks have signed forward/center John Henson to a 10-day contract.

Henson, 6-9, 222-pounds, holds career averages of 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.44 blocks over 19.7 minutes in 445 games (160 starts) across eight seasons with Milwaukee, Cleveland and Detroit. Henson ranked in the Top-15 in the NBA in blocks per game four times throughout his career (2013-15; 2016-18). He appeared in 14 playoff games (two starts) for Milwaukee and averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds over 19.4 minutes.

The Greensboro, NC-native, was originally selected by Milwaukee with the 14th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Prior to the NBA, the two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year spent three seasons at the University of North Carolina helping the Tarheels reach the Elite 8 twice.

The roster now stands at 17 with two two-way players.

Utah Jazz update on the wearing of masks at home games

The Utah Jazz and Vivint Arena announced today the continued requirement of wearing masks at home games and all facility events as a health and safety protocol against COVID-19, even after the scheduled April 10 lifting of a statewide mask mandate.

Face masks over the nose and mouth are required for guests and staff (age 2+) throughout the arena unless a person is actively eating or drinking. Compliance with mandatory masks aligns with the safety measures established by the NBA and local health officials for mass gatherings.

Other COVID-19 procedures will remain in place, including health screenings, socially distanced seating arrangements, contactless entry with digital tickets, cashless transactions for concessions and merchandise, and reduced capacity in common spaces.

Vivint Arena has also implemented a “no bag” policy this year to expedite entry and reduce screening touchpoints. The only exceptions are diaper and medical bags that will be X-rayed and cannot be larger than 14x14x6 inches.

“We continue to prioritize the health and safety of our fans, employees and players,” said Utah Jazz President Jim Olson. “We are pleased that fans have been able to attend games since December in a limited capacity with incremental increases. While progress is being made with ongoing vaccinations, we are staying the course to maintain a safe and comfortable environment and will adjust our plans as public health conditions improve.”

The Jazz began the second half of the NBA season in March with an arena capacity of about 5,500 fans. The Jazz have an upcoming five-game homestand from April 8-16. The final home game of the regular season at Vivint Arena is scheduled for May 12.

Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter undergoes non-surgical procedure on knee

Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter, who has been dealing with right knee soreness, underwent a non-surgical procedure earlier today at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex.

Following three days of unloading, he will return to activity later this week.

Per AJC.com, “Hunter missed 23 straight games after injuring his knee against the Wizards on Jan. 29. Ten days after that game, he had a lateral meniscus debridement procedure.”

Thunder sign forward Jaylen Hoard to two-way contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed forward Jaylen Hoard to a Two-Way Contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Hoard (6-8, 216) appeared in all 15 games (three starts) with the Thunder’s NBA G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue this season, averaging 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 22.0 minutes per contest, shooting 49.1 percent from the field.

The French native spent the 2019-20 season as a two-way player for the Portland Trail Blazers where he appeared in 13 games and averaged 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game. On assignment with the Texas Legends, Hoard saw action in 24 games (four starts) and recorded averages of 16.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 27.6 minutes, shooting 51.8 percent from the floor.

Thunder forwards Josh Hall and Isaiah Roby sustain concussions

Oklahoma City Thunder forwards Josh Hall and Isaiah Roby each sustained a concussion during last night’s game at the Portland Trail Blazers and both players have been placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol.

Per the NBA’s Concussion Policy, Hall and Roby will each begin the NBA-mandated Return-to-Participation Protocol. This process includes a series of steps designed to ensure an athlete exhibits symptom-free behavior before resuming basketball activities. There is no predetermined timetable to complete the protocol, as each injury and player is different and recovery time can vary in each case.

Rockets sign Armoni Brooks, waive Ben McLemore and Justin Patton

The Houston Rockets have signed free agent guard Armoni Brooks to a two-way contract.

In related moves, the Rockets waived guard Ben McLemore and center Justin Patton.

Brooks (6-3, 195) was eligible for the 2019 NBA Draft following his junior season at the University of Houston. He spent 2019-20 with the College Park Skyhawks in the G League before being acquired this season by the Rockets affiliate, Rio Grande Valley.

In 15 games for the Vipers, Brooks averaged 16.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.07 steals. He led the G League in 3-pointers made (57) while averaging 3.8 on 37.5% shooting. Over his final two collegiate seasons with the Cougars, Brooks averaged 2.8 3-pointers made on 40.2% shooting.

McLemore was in his second season with Houston. In 103 games with 27 starts as a Rocket, he averaged 9.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 3-pointers made on 38.2% shooting.

Patton signed a two-way contract with Houston on Feb. 19 and appeared in 13 games with six starts, averaging 5.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.08 blocks.

Lakers plan to allow limited fan attendance at home games starting April 15 vs. Celtics

STATEMENT FROM THE LAKERS

We are incredibly excited that the State of California announced guidelines [yesterday] that will allow Lakers fans to return to STAPLES Center.

Now that we have the guidance, we will work with LA County Public Health and STAPLES Center to finalize our plans to have fans safely attend our games starting with the Lakers vs. Celtics game on April 15.

We look forward to welcoming Lakers fans back to STAPLES Center to continue the journey with us to defend our NBA title.

Clippers plan to allow limited fan attendance at home games starting April 18 vs. Timberwolves

STATEMENT FROM THE CLIPPERS

With the State of California announcing that Los Angeles County has moved into the orange tier, we will continue working closely with the L.A. County Department of Public Health and STAPLES Center to determine the guidelines for safely hosting fans at Clippers home games this season.

With the new guidelines in place, we are planning for a certain number of fans to attend our game against Minnesota on April 18.