Warriors' Stephen Curry Out at Least 2 More Weeks amid Rehab from Shoulder Injury
Dec 24, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 14, 2022 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is making "good progress" on his shoulder injury and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Kendra Andrews of ESPN reported Saturday.
Curry suffered a left shoulder subluxation during his team's Dec. 14 game against the Indiana Pacers, which came with a reported recovery timeline of "a few weeks," per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The guard was relieved the injury didn't require surgery.
"Surgery would've been 4-6 months," he told reporters. "Nobody was trying to deal with that right now."
Curry is a difficult player to replace considering his production as an eight-time All-Star and two-time MVP. He was named Finals MVP last season after winning his fourth NBA title.
In 26 games this year, the superstar guard is averaging 30.0 points, 6.8 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game.
With Curry unavailable, the Warriors have turned to Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson to take on bigger roles in the backcourt.
Golden State has still lost three of its four games since Curry's injury, falling to 15-18 on the season. The squad is currently in 11th place in the Western Conference.
NBA GM Rips Jae Crowder for Not Playing for Suns amid Desire for New Contract
Dec 24, 2022
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 15: Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns prepares for the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 7 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals on May 15, 2022 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jae Crowder's ongoing holdout from the Phoenix Suns is reportedly not winning him any fans around the NBA.
One anonymous general manager ripped into the Suns forward, saying Crowder has alienated teams by choosing to sit out over frustration with his contract.
"He just didn't show up," the general manager told Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com. "He said he's not playing unless he gets a contract extension that he wants. I think a lot of teams are turned off by that in and of itself. Like, 'What? You don't want to play for one of the best teams in the NBA and PROVE that you're worth it so you can get a contract next year? Like, you're not that good, bro. What are you doing?' It's a weird dynamic. It's one thing if Kevin Durant's holding out because he's not getting paid enough, but Jae Crowder? Seriously?"
Crowder seemingly responded to the comments via a post on his Twitter account:
DRAG MY NAME THROUGH THE MUD, WATCH ME COME OUT CLEAN.!
Crowder is in the final year of his contract and is being paid $10.2 million this season. He is coming off a largely unspectacular 2021-22 campaign, which saw him average 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting just 39.9 percent from the field.
While Crowder is a solid role player who provides rugged defense on the perimeter, the anonymous general manager isn't particularly wrong in this case. If the market for Crowder was what he expected it to be, he'd already be wearing a different uniform.
Instead, Crowder is wasting the final year of his contract and doing nothing to help out his value on the open market. Rather than proving his worth on the court, he chose to make his stand after a largely shaky season.
The Suns have also played just fine without him, sitting at 19-14 despite missing Chris Paul for much of the season.
This gamble has already backfired in a major way for Crowder.
If early wakeup calls, piles of gifts and plates full of turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing are more than enough excitement for you, the NBA is once again...
Jalen Brunson, Knicks Ripped by NBA Twitter for Blowing Late Lead vs. Bulls
Dec 24, 2022
Chicago Bulls' DeMar DeRozan, third from right,, reacts after hitting the winning basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The New York Knicks were tied with or leading the Chicago Bulls for all but four-tenths of a second in the second half Friday.
However, that's all the Bulls needed as DeMar DeRozan knocked down the game-winning jumper in the final second to lead his team to a 118-117 road win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
It was a devastating loss for the Knicks, who wasted a season-high 44 points from RJ Barrett and a 29-point, 12-rebound outing from Julius Randle. The Knicks have dropped to 18-15 with their second consecutive loss after an eight-game winning streak.
This was a tough offensive night for Jalen Brunson, who shot 5-of-15 en route to 12 points. He dished out nine assists but also missed three of his four free throws, including a pair with 6.1 seconds remaining while the Knicks were up 117-116. DeRozan played some mind games with the 89.1 percent free-throw shooter beforehand.
DeRozan tried getting in Brunson's head to ice the game 🍿
Brunson went to the line with the Knicks up 117-116 and missed both FTs 😬 https://t.co/tkPv7x9lSK
Regardless of whether that had an effect on Brunson, the Knicks didn't make enough stops or shots down the stretch to win.
Quentin Grimes also missed a pair of free throws when the Knicks were up 115-112 a minute earlier. He shot just 3-of-11 from the field and served as the primary defender on DeRozan on the last shot after a switch. Guarding DeRozan in the mid-range is tough for anyone, though, and the longtime NBA veteran got the job done.
Brunson and Grimes have both played pivotal roles in helping the Knicks turn their season around after a sluggish 10-13 start, with the former arguably serving as the team's MVP this year after signing as a free agent from the Dallas Mavericks.
Still, this was a tough loss to stomach. NBA Twitter took notice, with some fans lamenting the loss and Brunson's late-game performance and others looking at the bigger picture.
Jalen Brunson shocked me tonight. He crumbled under pressure. That better be an anomaly
#Knicks fans turning on Brunson already, they turn on any1 that’s not a draft pick of theirs then wonder why no star wants to play for them. If I was a NBA star I’d love to come here sparingly, drop 40-50 +win, just to stick it to the most toxic NBA fan base. #antiknickstwitter
Knicks handed the bulls that game, disgusting late game execution, 11 missed freethrows, 4 consecutive missed freethrows with under a minute to go, a missed defensive rebound with seconds to go that lead to a layup. They lost this game 3 times. 18-15 got to win on Xmas
The Knicks will stay home to host the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day at noon ET.
NBA Rumors: Suns Rejected Wizards Trade Offer of Rui Hachimura for Jae Crowder
Dec 22, 2022
Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (8) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Phoenix Suns reportedly rejected a trade offer for Jae Crowder from the Washington Wizards centered around young forward Rui Hachimura, according to a report from basketball insider Marc Stein.
Per that report, the Suns wanted a starting-caliber player in return for Crowder.
Hachimura reportedly doesn't make the "starter-worthy" cut for the Suns.
The 24-year-old has largely been relegated to duty off the bench for the Wizards in the past two years, averaging 11.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for the team this season while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three in 23.5 minutes per game.
After making 105 starts for the team in his first two seasons, averaging over 30 minutes per game in each campaign, Hachimura made just 13 starts for the team last season and none this year. Kyle Kuzma, Deni Avdija and Corey Kispert have been preferred to Hachimura, earning bigger roles.
Injuries have played some part, as Hachimura missed about a month this season with a bone bruise in his ankle. The inability to consistently stay on the court—he's logged 50 or more games in a season just once due to injuries—has limited the fourth-year players's upside in general during his career.
The Suns, meanwhile, are in serious need of depth on the wing after Crowder chose to remain away from the team heading into the season and Cam Johnson is recovering from a torn right meniscus.
Mikal Bridges is locked into place as the team's starting small forward, while Torrey Craig, Damion Lee and Landry Shamet have seen their roles increase.
If the Suns are going to make a title push, getting another quality player to add to the mix in exchange for Crowder will be key. Having the 32-year-old veteran away from the team is hardly ideal, though to this point, the Suns clearly haven't gotten the type of offer they want.
Zion Williamson Placed in Health and Safety Protocols, Out for Pelicans vs. Spurs
Dec 21, 2022
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 12: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans warms up prior to the start of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at Smoothie King Center on November 12, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson will be out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the San Antonio Spurs after being placed in the league's health and safety protocols, per ESPN's Andrew Lopez.
This marks the sixth game the 22-year-old will miss this season, as he also missed time earlier this year with injuries to his foot and his hip.
When healthy, Williamson has displayed the skills that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft. He is averaging 25.2 points on 60.3 percent shooting with 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists. It's been a welcome sight to see him back on the floor after his lost 2021-22 season.
However, the Duke product was forced to miss the entire year after undergoing foot surgery and dealing with complications in his recovery. It was yet another setback in the early part of his injury-riddled NBA career, as he was limited to 24 games as a rookie and appeared in just 61 games in his sophomore campaign.
While Williamson is sidelined, the Pelicans will rely on the potent scoring tandem of Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum to shoulder the load on offense. Ingram missed time earlier this season while he was in concussion protocol.
New Orleans will likely split Williamson's minutes at power forward between third-year pro Naji Marshall and veteran big man Larry Nance Jr.
Lakers Reportedly Seeking Additional Opinions on Anthony Davis' Foot Injury
Dec 21, 2022
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are seeking additional opinions on Anthony Davis' foot injury, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin on Wednesday.
Davis continues to receive treatment on his foot and is not wearing a boot, McMenamin added.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday that Davis was expected to miss "multiple weeks" because of a right foot injury. He had exited Los Angeles' win over the Denver Nuggets at halftime last Friday after his leg collided with Nuggets star Nikola Jokić.
Davis had been playing some of the best basketball of his career before being sidelined. The 29-year-old led the Lakers with averages of 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals while shooting a career-best 59.4 percent from the field. Los Angeles had started the season 2-10, but Davis powered the team to a 10-4 stretch before he was injured.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2012, Davis is one of the best talents in the NBA. However, the Kentucky product has developed a reputation for his inability to stay on the court. He appeared in 76 games in the previous two seasons combined.
Any absence by Davis is a major blow to the Lakers, who have struggled to compete against elite teams for much of the year.
While Davis is out, Thomas Bryant will be inserted into the starting lineup. The sixth-year big man has averages of 10.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 16 appearances this season. Lakers star LeBron James could also see time as a small-ball 5, which is a position he's familiar with.
Report: Troy Weaver, Pistons Agree to Contract Extension; Has Been GM Since 2020
Dec 21, 2022
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JULY 30: Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver looks on during the press conference on July 30, 2021 at the Pistons Performance Center in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons have signed general manager Troy Weaver to a contract extension, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
Weaver is in his third season with the team after arriving in June 2020 following 12 years in the Oklahoma City Thunder front office.
The Pistons currently have the worst record in the NBA at 8-25 entering Wednesday.
Detroit has been near the bottom of the standings since Weaver arrived, going 20-52 in 2020-21 and 23-59 last year. The organization's last winning record came in 2015-16, while the last playoff win came in 2008.
Despite the struggles on the court, Weaver has been praised for his ability to flip a roster full of aging players while building a promising young core on the current squad.
After moving on from veterans like Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin, the Pistons have added quality prospects like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren over the past three years.
The few veterans on the current roster, like Bojan Bogdanović and Alec Burks, have been productive, making them potential trade pieces before the Feb. 9 deadline.
Detroit also has a lot of financial flexibility with the second-most cap space in the NBA heading into next year, per Spotrac.
The latest extension gives Weaver a vote of confidence to continue his long-term approach as he tries to build the Pistons into a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.
Hawks GM Landry Fields Replaces Travis Schlenk as President of Basketball Operations
Dec 21, 2022
Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields speaks during a news conference, Friday, July 1, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields is replacing Travis Schlenk as the team's president of basketball operations.
Throughout this season, Tony and I have had multiple, honest conversations about some of the personal things I've been going through and how I've been feeling, and I appreciate the counsel he has provided me as well as the opportunity he gave me six seasons ago to be a first-time general manager. As we enter a new year, the timing feels right for me to take a step back, reflect and prioritize my family.
The move comes as the Hawks are off to a disappointing 16-15 start that has them seventh in the Eastern Conference. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski referenced what could be Fields' first big piece of business in his new position:
Schlenk has multiple years left on his contract, and will remain in the organization working with owner Tony Ressler, sources said. Fields was promoted to GM in June and will step up and take on a larger role now. Hawks are 16-15 and remain engaged in trade talks on John Collins. https://t.co/6RySqItJgO
Fields has had a rapid ascension in the front office. He was only just promoted from assistant general manager to GM in June, and now he'll be running the show.
The 34-year-old is inheriting what appears to be a difficult challenge.
Schlenk did well to accelerate the Hawks' rebuild. Their run to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals doesn't happen without the arrivals of Bogdan Bogdanović and Danilo Gallinari.
The downside of the playoff run was that it significantly raised expectations for the organization and gave the front office the wrong idea about the roster it had.
In the aftermath of the 2021 postseason, John Collins got a five-year, $125 million extension and Kevin Huerter got a four-year, $65 million deal. Huerter has already been shipped out to the Sacramento Kings, and Collins is the source of trade speculation as well.
The Dejounte Murray trade also reflected the increased pressure Schlenk felt to atone for a first-round exit in 2021-22. You give up three first-round draft picks for a player when you think you've found the final piece of the puzzle.
Murray is averaging 20.6 points and 6.1 assists through 26 games, but the trade isn't working out as planned with the team out of the top six in the East. And the front office is now without the kind of assets that could land another difference-maker on the squad.
You also have the reported tension between star guard Trae Young and head coach Nate McMillan. On top of being active prior to the Feb. 9 trade deadline, Fields could plausibly be looking for a new coach before the end of this season.
Even if Wednesday's move was something Schlenk had been considering for some time, he's stepping down at an opportune time for himself.
