If you missed any of this past week’s biggest headlines from around the NBA, we’ve got you covered with our Week in Review. Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days:
One of the NBA’s biggest stars returned to the court this week as Stephen Curry received medical clearance after missing four months with a fracture in his left hand. The two-time MVP scored 27 points in his first game back, but then came down with the flu.
In a surprising move, the Nets decided to part with coach Kenny Atkinson, who had been the longest-tenured active coach in New York professional sports. Assistant Jacque Vaughn will guide the team on an interim basis.
Leon Rose formally took over the Knicks’ front office this week, but the move was overshadowed by a public dispute with celebrity fan Spike Lee. The director has vowed not to attend any more games this season at Madison Square Garden.
The Lakers signed former Heat guard Dion Waiters for the rest of the season. L.A. opened a roster spot by waiving Troy Daniels, who wound up with the Nuggets.
Joakim Noah is returning to the NBA, reaching an agreement to join the Clippers. The veteran center will start on a 10-day deal with hopes of signing for the remainder of the season.
Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from around the basketball world this week:
- Amid fears of a worsening coronavirus outbreak, NBA teams are being instructed to make plans to play games in empty arenas. Those measures are already in place in Italy, which is among the nations hardest hit by the virus.
- Magic coach Steve Clifford is OK after leaving Friday night’s game with dizziness in the third quarter. He was diagnosed with dehydration and was given clearance to continue coaching.
- The NBA denied a protest of the Mavericks‘ February 22 loss in Atlanta and fined owner Mark Cuban $500K for remarks he made about league officials.
- Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is attempting to buy the Forum in Inglewood, California, to help clear the way for a new arena for his team. The Forum is owned by Madison Square Garden Company, which has been engaged in a legal battle to block the new facility.
- Nets guard Kyrie Irving had arthroscopic surgery on his injured right shoulder. He is expected to make a full recovery in time for next season.
- Suns forward Kelly Oubre had surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks to determine if he will return this season.
- Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic set March 15 as a target date to return from the severe leg injuries he suffered last season.
- The Pistons obtained guard Jordan McRae with a successful waiver claim. The Suns were also reportedly interested, but Detroit was ahead of them in the waiver order.
- Bradley Beal expressed interest in remaining with the Wizards for the rest of his career. He signed an extension in October that will keep him in Washington through at least the 2021/22 season.
- Zach Randolph has committed to play in the BIG3 this summer.
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