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STATEMENT FROM SAN ANTONIO SPURS HEAD COACH GREGG POPOVICH:
“I’ve decided not to return to the sidelines this season. Mitch Johnson and his staff have done a wonderful job and the resolve and professionalism the players have shown, sticking together during a challenging season, has been outstanding. I will continue to focus on my health with the hope that I can return to coaching in the future.”
The Miami HEAT announced today that forward Nikola Jović was evaluated by chief of hand surgery Dr. Elizabeth Ann Ouellette in collaboration with HEAT team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Doctors Hospital Surgery Center in Miami. It was determined that Jović suffered a fracture in the second metacarpal of his right hand. He will be in a splint and re-evaluated in four weeks. He suffered the injury against the Milwaukee Bucks this past Sunday on February 23.
Jović has appeared in 46 games (10 starts) with the HEAT this season averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 25.1 minutes while shooting 45.6 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from three-point range and 82.8 percent from the foul line. He has scored in double-figures 27 times this season, including four 20-point games, and has led the team in plus/minus a team-high eight times.
The Brooklyn Nets have signed forward Kendall Brown to a two-way contract.
Brown (6’8″, 200) has appeared in 20 regular season games (18 starts) this season with Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, and holds averages of 16.1 points on 53.5 percent shooting from the floor, 38.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 78.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals in 36.3 minutes per contest. The 21-year-old also saw action in 14 Tip-Off Tournament games (nine starts) with Long Island and averaged 16.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists across 32.3 minutes per game.
Brooklyn’s roster now stands at 18 players with three two-way players.
The Portland Trail Blazers have announced plans for the special Bill Walton Tribute Night game on March 9 when the team takes on the Detroit Pistons. The game serves as a special night to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a truly beloved Trail Blazer, Bill Walton. Tickets are available for purchase at Trailblazers.com/walton and all in attendance are encouraged to wear tie-dye.
Walton will be honored throughout the night with in-game videos looking back on his historic Hall of Fame career and impact on and off the court.
Members of the Walton family will be in attendance and involved in various in-game moments, as well as Trail Blazers alumni, including members of the 1977 Championship team, that played alongside “Big Red”.
Fans attending the game will receive a special Bill Walton tie-dyed headband upon entering Moda Center.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard/forward Javonte Green, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.
Green (6-4, 220) has played in 50 games (18 starts) for the New Orleans Pelicans this season, averaging 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.10 steals and 0.60 blocks in 21.8 minutes. Green, who was waived by New Orleans on Feb. 20, has registered 14 multi-steal performances this season, including a career-high five steals versus Sacramento in his final game with the Pelicans on Feb. 13. He ranked second on the Pelicans in both total steals (55) and blocks (30) and has scored in double figures on seven occasions this season.
In his six NBA seasons with Boston, Chicago and New Orleans, Green has appeared in 245 games (73 starts) with career averages of 5.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.85 steals in 17.4 minutes. He has reached double figures in scoring in 36 games throughout his career and has four 20-point games, including a 25-point, 13-rebound effort versus New York on April 5, 2024. Additionally, Green has appeared in six career NBA postseason contests. The undrafted pro out of Radford University was named the Big South Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and finished as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,064), steals (245) and games played (133) and ranked second in points (1,911).
Green will wear #8 for the Cavaliers.
Per the Denver Post:
JJ Redick’s challenge to Luka Doncic in Denver was of the emotional variety. But he knew it would probably translate to the statistics.
“I want at least one blackout episode where he’s screaming indiscriminately at no one in particular because he’s excited,” the first-year Lakers coach said Saturday before facing the Nuggets. “That means he’s back. That’s the Luka I know. The killer.”
Back from what, exactly? Doncic’s recent calf injury, yes, but also the mental malaise associated with getting traded away from a city where he thought he would play his entire career. It’s still sinking in throughout the basketball world that Luka is a Laker — that the Dallas Mavericks would choose to ship off their 25-year-old franchise cornerstone.
As Doncic processes it all, he’s been struggling by his standards. But not on Saturday. The Slovenian point guard went for 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals to lead the Lakers in their 123-100 win at Ball Arena.
The Washington Wizards have signed forward Jalen McDaniels to a 10-day contract.
In a related move, Washington released guard Erik Stevenson from his 10-day contract.
McDaniels (6-9, 190) is a 27-year-old forward in his sixth NBA season. He has appeared in 248 regular season NBA games for the Toronto Raptors (2023-24), Philadelphia 76ers (2023), and Charlotte Hornets (2019-23), recording career averages of 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 18.3 minutes per game.
A native of Seattle, McDaniels spent two seasons at San Diego State (2017-19) before being drafted in the second round with the 52nd overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
In 26 games (all starts) for the Capital City Go-Go this season, McDaniels is averaging 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He has notched three double-doubles and has scored 10+ points in 17 games this season, while leading the Go-Go in rebounds per game (min. 10 games).
With the win tonight, the Rockets split the season series against the Timberwolves 2-2. Houston is 3-1 over its past four games after losing a season-high six straight prior while Minnesota has lost three of its past four games after winning its previous three games.
Houston scored 121 points, marking its first game with 120+ since scoring 135 at Cleveland on 1/25. Minnesota has allowed 120+ points in two of its past four games after doings so once the 15 games prior. The Rockets are 14-2 when scoring 120+ this season while the Wolves are 1-7 when giving up 120+.
The Rockets held the Wolves to 11 3FGM on 38.9% shooting. Minnesota averaged 10.0 3FGM on 26.3% shooting in its two losses to Houston this season compared to 18.5 3FGM on 45.1% shooting in its two wins. The Rockets have held opponents to 31.3% shooting from behind-the-arc over the past 11 games after the opposition shot 39.2% the 19 games prior.
Houston outrebounded Minnesota by 13 tonight after the Wolves outrebounded the Rockets by an average of 3.0 rpg in the first three meetings. The Rockets have outrebounded their opponent by double-digits in four of the past eight games and a league-high 19 times overall this season (15-4 mark).
Jalen Green had 35 points on 12-of-24 shooting, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range. He has scored 25+ points in 14 of the 24 games since the start of January after doing so eight times the first 32 games of the season. Houston is 9-0 when Green scores 30+ points this season.
Alperen Sengun had 24 points and 13 rebounds. It is his third straight double-double and his 33rd in 53 games played this season after recording 29 in 63 games played in 2023-24. Sengun had a total of 27 points in the final three games heading into All-Star break after averaging 23.3 ppg the three games prior.
Jabari Smith Jr. had 15 points and 9 rebounds in 38 minutes of play tonight after missing the previous 22 games due to injury. The Rockets are 10-1 when he scores 15+ points this season. Smith shot 4-of-6 from 3-point range tonight. Over his last 21 games played before getting injured, he averaged 2.0 3FGM on 41.2% shooting.
Anthony Edwards had 37 points on 32 shot attempts and scored 3 points on 1-of-6 shooting in the fourth quarter. It is the tied for his second-lowest point total when having 30+ shot attempts in his career. Edwards averaged 32.8 ppg on 42.7% shooting in the four games vs. Houston this season. He is averaging 37.0 ppg over his past six games played.
Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed Alex Reese to a two-way contract.
This season, Reese has appeared in 16 games (15 starts) for the Rip City Remix – the G League affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers – averaging 19.3 points on 49.4-percent shooting from the floor. He’s connected on 61 three-pointers on the season (tied for fourth-most in the G League), while shooting 42.1-percent on over nine attempts from deep per game.
He’s connected on 61 three-pointers on the season (tied for third-most in the G League), while shooting 42.1-percent on over nine attempts from deep per game.
The Alabama product has appeared in 48 career G League games for Rip City over the last two seasons, averaging 15.2 points and 5.8 rebounds. He holds a career 41.8-percent mark from three-point range on 7.3 attempts per game.
Following his four collegiate seasons at Alabama, Reese played professionally for Amicale Steinsel in Luxembourg, before returning to play stateside.
Reese will wear No. 65 for the 76ers.
The Dallas Mavericks yesterday (Thursday) issued the following injury updates:
Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis, who suffered a left adductor strain on Feb. 8 against Houston and missed the team’s final three games before the All-Star break, is making good progress. Davis will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Mavericks forward P.J. Washington Jr., who suffered a right ankle sprain on Feb. 8 against Houston and missed the team’s final three games leading up to the All-Star break, returned to practice this afternoon. His return to game action will be based on his continued progress, as such he will be listed as questionable for Friday’s game against New Orleans.
Mavericks center Dwight Powell, who suffered a right hip strain against Oklahoma City on Jan. 17, participated in non-contact activities during practice today and a controlled contact session after. He will be listed as doubtful for Friday’s game against New Orleans.