Gary Harris back soon for Nuggets

Here’s the Denver Post reporting that the Nuggets (8-14) will soon regain the services of guard Gary Harris (9.8 ppg in 26.6 minutes per game this season):

Amid a host of players who did not practice for the Nuggets on Wednesday was the welcome sight of one who did.

Shooting guard Gary Harris.

Harris went through his first full contact practice since suffering a concussion against the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 27. He’s missed every game since then, five in all, and the Nuggets have missed him. He was one of the Nuggets more reliable shooters and is arguably the team’s best defender.

“It was good,” said Harris of the practice. “It was good to finally to get back out there.”

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has ankle surgery

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson undergoes ankle surgery

Brooklyn Nets rookie guard/forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson underwent successful surgery this morning at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan to repair the fractured posterior talus in his right ankle. The procedure was performed by Nets’ team physician Dr. Martin O’Malley, the Nets’ foot and ankle specialist.

Statement from Dr. Martin O’Malley:

“Rondae had surgery this morning to repair a fracture of the posterior talus in his right ankle. Two screws were inserted to repair the fracture. There was no other structural damage, and he is expected to make a complete recovery, with a timetable of his return to the court estimated at 8-10 weeks.”

In 19 games (14 starts) this season, Hollis-Jefferson has averaged 5.2 points, 6.1 rebounds (fourth among qualifying rookies), 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals (first among qualifying rookies) in 22.1 minutes per game. He’s scored in double figures three times, recorded double digit rebounds five times and is the only rookie in the league to register a five-steal game (he’s posted two such games).

Al Jefferson suspended for violating Anti-Drug Program

Al Jefferson suspended for violating Anti-Drug Program

The NBA announced today that Al Jefferson of the Charlotte Hornets has been suspended without pay for five games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. Jefferson’s suspension will begin with the next NBA regular season game that he is eligible and physically able to play.

In response to this, the Hornets released this statement:

“We are disappointed in Al’s decisions that led to this suspension. As an organization, we do not condone this behavior. We have addressed this with Al. He is regretful and understands that we expect him to learn from this mistake.”

Statement from Al Jefferson:

“I want to apologize to the Hornets organization, our owner, my teammates and my coaches for the poor decision that I made. I know I have let people down, especially the Hornets fans that have been so supportive of me since I arrived in Charlotte two years ago. I am blessed to be able to play the game that I love for a living and I do not take that for granted. From the bottom of my heart, I am truly sorry, and I am committed to making smarter decisions in the future.”

John Wall off to great start in December

Here’s the Washington Post blog reporting on the Wizards (9-10, which is just the 11th best record in the East):

John Wall off to great start in December

In five December games, the 25-year-old Wall is averaging 28.0 points, 9.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per game. He’s shooting 56 percent from the floor, 47.4 percent from beyond the arc and 85.3 percent from the free-throw line while playing 38.6 minutes per contest.

The week-long dominance was bookended by two dynamite performances against first-place clubs on the road. First, he began the month by leading the Wizards over the then-first-place Cleveland Cavaliers with 35 points, 10 assists and five rebounds. Then on Monday, he posted 26 points and seven assists in Washington’s victory against the Miami Heat, who had taken over first in the East, 24 hours after he hobbled off the court with a knee injury in Sunday night’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks…

After making 31 percent of his wide-open shots — attempts are considered wide open when the closest defender is at least six feet away — from 10-plus feet away in November, Wall is shooting 46.2 percent in such instances in December.

Denver-area radio station news

Here’s the Denver Post blog with news on the Denver, Colorado airwaves:

ESPN will move its Denver radio affiliation to the Bonneville International-owned 1600 AM, the sister station of 104.3 The Fan, following Front Range Sports Network’s agreement to sell 105.5 FM to Greeley-based community radio station KUNC.

The sale of 105.5 FM, announced on Monday, will allow non-commercial KUNC to split music and news formats, offering expanded news and information broadcasts on its current dial position, 91.5 FM, and launching its non-commercial music format full-time on the new frequency. The move is similar to one undertaken by Colorado Public Radio, which split its programming between 90.1 FM for news and 102.3 FM for music in January.

Lakers bench some key young talent

Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News blog reporting on the Lakers starting lineup situation, which underwent some changes tonight:

Lakers bench some key young talent

The two players represent significant pieces toward the Lakers’ long-term future. But rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell and second-year power forward Julius Randle also represent the pawns in Lakers coach Byron Scott making his first starting lineup switch in hopes to turnaround their 3-17 record.

Both Russell and Randle will come off the bench when the Lakers visit the Toronto Raptors (12-9) on Monday at Air Canada Centre, while 10-year veteran guard Lou Williams and rookie forward Larry Nance Jr. will start in their place.

“Both of them are young, have a long way to go and have a lot of work to do. But this change wasn’t so much based on them not performing up to their capabilities,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said of Randle and Russell. “It’s based on where we are as a team.”

DeMarre Carroll out with right knee contusion

DeMarre Carroll out with right knee contusion

The Toronto Raptors announced Monday forward DeMarre Carroll is expected to miss an indefinite period of time with a right knee contusion. His status will be updated as appropriate.

Carroll has averaged 12.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 34.2 minutes in 18 games, all starts. He had a season-high 21 points on two occasions: October 30 at Boston and November 22 at the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Raptors play host to the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Air Canada Centre (Sportsnet ONE/TSN 1050 Toronto).

Reggie Jackson, Stephen Curry named NBA Players of Week through Dec. 6, 2015

reggie jackson

Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson and the Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry were today named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Nov. 30 through Sunday, Dec. 6.

Jackson led the Pistons to a 4-0 week behind averages of 27.0 points (fourth in the conference), 8.8 assists (second in the conference), 3.0 rebounds and 1.75 steals. Jackson shot 56.9 percent from the field, 52.9 percent from three-point range and 89.3 percent from the foul line. He scored 20 or more points in each contest, and eclipsed the 30-point plateau twice. During a 127-122 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 2, Jackson scored 34 points and dished out a season-high 16 assists.

stephen curry

Curry led the Warriors to a 4-0 week, with all wins coming on the road, behind a league-best 34.5 points. Curry, who also averaged 4.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds, scored 25 or more points in each contest, and twice reached the 40-point plateau. On Dec. 5, Curry connected on 9-of-15 three-point field goals en route to a game-high 44 points as the Warriors topped the Toronto Raptors 112-109.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Al Horford, Houston’s James Harden, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Memphis’ Marc Gasol, Miami’s Dwyane Wade and Orlando’s Victor Oladipo.