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New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin has the support of his head coach amid his struggles during the team's recent Western Conference road trip.

Tom Thibodeau told reporters he's "very confident" in Toppin's ability to turn things around.

"I trust his process," Thibodeau said. "He’s very diligent. I think he has a strategy for everything. He’s put a lot of time into his shooting. Players go through things like that, but he can help us in a lot of different ways. Just the way he moves the ball, the way he runs the floor, gets some rebounds. But I’m very confident in his ability."

The third-year forward looked like he took a significant step forward to start this season. He was averaging 10.0 points on 49.1 percent shooting (42.4 percent from three-point range) and 4.1 rebounds per game through his first 14 games.

Things took a turn for Toppin starting on Nov. 16 against the Denver Nuggets. The Dayton alum has scored a total of 13 points on 5-of-28 shooting (2-of-15 from behind the arc) in the past four games.

The Knicks have gone 2-2 in those games, with wins over the Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Toppin saw his usage increase across the board in 2021-22. He averaged 9.0 points on 53.1 percent shooting and 3.7 rebounds per game. His usage rate has dipped slightly to 20.0 percent this season after it was up at 20.8 percent last season.

New York's front office made aggressive moves during the offseason to make the roster better for the 2022-23 campaign. Jalen Brunson has been solid, averaging 20.8 points and 6.7 assists per game.

The Knicks are currently 9-9 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Toppin's development will be critical for this team to be a playoff contender because of what he offers as a 6'9" shooter off the bench.

Based on how well Toppin played for the first 14 games of the season, Thibodeau's confidence in his 24-year-old power forward should be rewarded when he gets back in rhythm.

New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard CJ McCollum will miss Friday's matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies after being placed in the NBA's health and safety protocols, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

McCollum didn't have an easy 2021-22 season. He missed almost all of December and half of January with a collapsed lung, and his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, struggled during his absence.

The tough times didn't stop for the Blazers. When superstar Damian Lillard was lost for the season after undergoing abdominal surgery, the Blazers made a number of trades before the Feb. 10 deadline, sending Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers and McCollum to the Pelicans.

When healthy, the 31-year-old averaged 22.1 points and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from three.

While the Blazers retooled in the 2022-23 offseason, McCollum helped his new team reach the NBA playoffs last season, where they pushed the Phoenix Suns to six games in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs before bowing out.

It was an exciting run for the Pelicans nonetheless, as the team escaped the play-in tournament and made the top seed sweat, all without young superstar Zion Williamson.

This year, the Pelicans came into the season with high hopes, with Williamson healthy again and a core group that includes McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Herbert Jones.

While McCollum is sidelined, look for players like Jose Alvarado and Devonte' Graham to play a bigger role.

The Los Angeles Clippers have gotten off to a solid start, opening the 2022-23 season with an 11-7 record. But adding another center to the mix is expected to be a priority ahead of February's trade deadline.

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, "Clippers head coach Ty Lue and the front office are aligned in searching for frontcourt depth beyond Ivica Zubac, sources said."

He added that the team "will target a switchable center as an option for Lue to replace Zubac against zippier lineups, as opposed to running a full small-ball unit."

That likely takes players like Myles Turner and Jakob Poeltl off the table.

The Clippers generally play small once Zubac leaves the game, with impressive depth on the wing and players like Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris Sr. and Robert Covington who can play the small-ball 5 in a pinch. Moses Brown can also handle the duties at center, though he's been used sparingly to this point.

That depth wing could potentially be used in a deal to add more help at the 5.

Granted, the most pressing concern for the Clippers at the moment is the health of Kawhi Leonard. After missing all of last season with a right ACL tear, Leonard played in two of the first three games this season before stiffness in that knee kept him out of the team's next 12 games.

He returned from that injury last week and played in three straight games before a sprained right ankle, suffered in a Monday win over the Utah Jazz, sidelined him again for at least Wednesday night's showdown with the defending-champion Golden State Warriors.

"Just rolled my ankle," he told reporters Monday. "But I should be fine."

The Clippers are hoping so. Leonard has averaged just 10 points, four rebounds and 3.4 assists in his five games this season, shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 13.3 percent from three. Some rust was to be expected after missing an entire season, but L.A. needs Leonard to return to his superstar form if it is going to be a true title contender.

For now, the Clippers' depth on the wing has helped them navigate Leonard's health issues. But once he's healthier, it will also be a valuable resource to aid in potentially adding more frontcourt depth.

The Detroit Pistons have reportedly "taken early calls" on forward Saddiq Bey, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

Fischer added the team is "intent on further evaluating Bey" before making any moves, but the organization is at least considering making a deal after he was nearly untouchable in past years.

Bey is averaging 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists through 17 games this season, a decline across the board after averaging 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 2021-22.

After shooting 34.6 percent from three-point range last year, Bey is now hitting just 29 percent of outside shots.

The 23-year-old has still showcased his upside during the season, reaching 20 points in five of his 17 games. He scored 28 in an October win over the Golden State Warriors.

Consistency has been an issue, however, averaging just nine points over his last five games while shooting 31.4 percent from the field. He's missed the last two games with an ankle injury.

The former Villanova star is eligible for an extension this offseason, which could force the Pistons to make a decision about his future.

Detroit remains far from contention after a 4-15 start to the season. The squad must determine if Bey will be part of the core going forward, or else he could be moved ahead of the trade deadline.

The Atlanta Hawks reportedly approached the Utah Jazz hoping to trade John Collins for Lauri Markkanen.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that the Jazz rejected the offer, which "did not generate any traction."

It's not hard to see why the Jazz would reject such an offer. Markkanen has been one of the breakout players of the NBA's first month, averaging 22.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game to help spur the Jazz's surprising 12-7 start.

"I think it's been the overall game coming together,” Markkanen told Tony Jones of The Athletic. "Working on my overall game, working on where my spots are on the floor. I've just been trying to bring everything together and just keep working on the overall package. I think the important thing is not being satisfied. I have to know that there are a lot of things that I can keep improving. It's a process."

Collins, meanwhile, is in the midst of arguably his worst NBA season. His points per game have dropped for the third straight campaign, down from 21.6 in 2019-20 to 12.6 this season. He also has not developed into an elite rim protector the way the Hawks hoped and is shooting a career-low 26.9 percent from behind the arc.

The Hawks have made Collins a regular fixture on the trade market for years and haven't been able to find a taker to meet their asking price. Shopping him around now at the nadir of his value isn't going to lead to many fruitful conversations—especially if Atlanta management is seeking a player like Markkanen.

Collins is in just the second season of a five-year, $125 million deal. While he has a player option for the 2025-26 campaign, it's highly unlikely he'll turn down $26.6 million given the trajectory of his career.

If the Hawks want to trade Collins and recoup any value that will help them on the floor, they're going to have to wait and see if he turns his season around.

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will miss Wednesday's game against the Golden State Warriors with a right ankle sprain, per The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania.

The 31-year-old played just two games at the start of the season before being sidelined by stiffness in his right knee. He had missed all of 2021-22 after tearing his ACL in the same knee.

After being without Leonard for 10 games, head coach Tyronn Lue finally provided a positive update.

"The first time he was able to get on the floor and play 5-on-5 and he looked pretty good," Lue told reporters. "Still have a ways to go, but that was the first sign of positivity of him getting on the floor, playing 5-on-5."

Leonard didn't return to the lineup until Nov. 17 against the Detroit Pistons. His durability remains an issue after last year's lost campaign. He hasn't played in more than 60 games in a season since 2016-17 with the San Antonio Spurs.

The forward has also been limited when on the court this year, averaging just 10 points, four rebounds and 3.4 assists in five games while shooting 42.2 percent from the floor and 13.3 percent from deep.

He had been one of the NBA's best players before his latest injury, earning five All-Star selections in six years from 2015-21. He won NBA titles with both the Spurs and Toronto Raptors, earning Finals MVP with both teams.

Los Angeles will continue to lean on Paul George until Leonard returns to full strength, with veterans Marcus Morris and John Wall also playing key roles offensively.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro said he will return from an ankle injury "soon" and added he will "hopefully" be able to take the floor for Wednesday's game against the Washington Wizards, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

The ankle concerns represented another setback for Herro after he dealt with various ailments last season on his way to 66 games, which was still a career-high mark since the Heat selected him with a first-round pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

The 22-year-old Kentucky product enjoyed a career-best season when healthy and averaged 20.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from deep for a Miami squad that finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference.

He won the Sixth Man of the Year and was once again expected to be a primary contributor entering the 2022-23 campaign. He has responded by averaging 19.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 10 games this season.

Unfortunately for the Heat, injuries have been a theme in the early portion of the season.

Jimmy Butler, Victor Oladipo, Duncan Robinson and Gabe Vincent were among those who missed Monday's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, so a return for Herro would be a welcome development.

Despite previously expressing unhappiness with the terms of Kyrie Irving's suspension for promoting an antisemitic film on social media, the National Basketball Players Association won't file a grievance against the NBA.

Tamika Tremaglio, executive director of the NBPA, told The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov the union decided not to file a grievance.

The Nets announced on Nov. 3 they were suspending Irving for at least five games for his promotion of the film and his subsequent refusals to say he has no antisemitic beliefs.

After the suspension was announced, Irving issued an apology on his Instagram page:

"To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize. I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary. I want to clarify any confusion on where I stand fighting against Anti- semticism by apologizing for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the Documentary I agreed with and disagreed with. I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all. I am no different than any other human being. I am a seeker of truth and knowledge, and I know who I Am."

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Nets laid out six items Irving had to complete before he would be reinstated:

Sources: Nets have delivered Kyrie Irving six items he must complete to return to team:

- Apologize/condemn movie
- $500K donation to anti-hate causes
- Sensitivity training
- Antisemitic training
- Meet with ADL, Jewish leaders
- Meet with Joe Tsai to demonstrate understanding

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2022

Multiple players spoke out against the number of conditions Irving was being asked to complete.

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who is also an NBPA vice president, told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe that a lot of union members "didn’t agree with the terms" set up by the Nets.

LeBron James tweeted Irving " apologized and he should be able to play."

NBA reporter Marc Stein noted on Nov. 14 there had been rumblings the NBPA was considering a grievance filing on Irving's behalf "if the various parties involved can’t reach a resolution on a return timetable."

After meeting with Irving during his suspension, NBA commissioner Adam Silver told Sopan Deb of the New York Times he had a "direct and candid conversation" with Irving and had "no doubt" the Nets guard isn't antisemitic.

The Nets reinstated Irving before Sunday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies after he missed the previous eight games. He scored 14 points in 26 minutes in his first game since Nov. 1.

Anthony Davis is back to looking like the generational star the Los Angeles Lakers hoped he'd be when they acquired him in 2019.

Davis put up 30 points, 18 rebounds and three steals in 28 minutes during Sunday's 123-92 blowout of the San Antonio Spurs, his third straight game with at least 30 points and 16 rebounds.

The Lakers have won three straight games without LeBron James, who has complimented Davis' recent brilliance behind the scenes.

"We haven't talked about it, but he did say that I'm playing like my old self, so I'm trying to get back into that rhythm," Davis told ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Davis is averaging 35.0 points and 17.3 rebounds over the three-game winning streak, which has brought the Lakers to 5-10 on the season. James remains out of the lineup with a strained groin and does not have a firm timetable for his return, though he was listed as questionable Sunday before being ruled out.

The Lakers play the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night before having Wednesday and Thursday off and returning to the floor for a back-to-back in San Antonio on Friday and Saturday. It seems likely James will return by one of the two San Antonio games, if not by Tuesday in Phoenix.

"I think everybody's confidence is very high, while not getting too high," Davis told reporters afterward. "Going into Phoenix to start the trip will be a good test for us. But like I said, I think the guys' confidence is high on both ends of the ball going into that game. Which, we want to start the road trip off with a W. Then, San Antonio back-to-back. So, it feels good to get three in a row. Now we just got to carry it over into the road and put some more wins together."

Klay Thompson's still got it.

The five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion helped lead the Golden State Warriors to a 127-120 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday with 41 points behind a blistering 10-of-13 shooting from three-point range.

Social media had plenty of praise for the future Hall of Famer:

Klay with the I-told-you-so performance

— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) November 21, 2022

Klay Thompson is making me think that maybe we shouldn't judge Hall of Fame players after 10 slumping games after missing camp

— Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) November 21, 2022

Klay Thompson is having a "read your tweets before the game" game

— Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) November 21, 2022

https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1594508408350466049

There is no demise of Klay Thompson; just a re-invention with a different ceiling. #DubNation

— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya) November 21, 2022

KLAY THOMPSON IS SPECIAL

— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) November 21, 2022

It was surely a cathartic performance for Thompson, who entered play shooting just 36.3 percent from the field and 33.6 percent from three-point range this season. Both of those would be career-worst marks for the 32-year-old.

Thompson missed the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons with injuries and is likely still somewhat working himself back into form. He may never reach the heights he did in his prime on a consistent basis, but Sunday was a reminder of just how dangerous he can be when he gets hot.

A few more showings like that would elevate the ceiling for the 8-9 Warriors, who have now gone 5-2 in their last seven following a slow start to the season.