Hawks’ Okongwu Replaces Capela In Starting Lineup
Hawks coach Quin Snyder made a notable lineup switch on Monday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype notes (Twitter link). Onyeka Okongwu started at center and Clint Capela came off the bench.
Capela had started 313 of 316 games since arriving in Atlanta in February 2020 and hadn’t come off the bench since Jan. 2023. Capela has averaged 9.3 points — his lowest output since the 2016/17 season with Houston — and 9.0 boards in 41 starts this season.
Okongwu averaged 18.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 blocks in his last three games off the bench. He supplied 14 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes in his first start this season as the Hawks fell to the Knicks 119-110. Capela played 20 minutes and contributed 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in his bench role.
This could be construed as a transition to a younger player. Okongwu, 24, is in the first year of a four-year extension he signed in Oct. 2023. Capela, 30, will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Hawks have reportedly been looking to move him, though his $22.2MM salary could be a stumbling block in trade negotiations.
Snyder was not asked about the lineup switch during his post-game press conference (YouTube link), so it’s uncertain whether the change is a short- or long-term move.
Mavericks Notes: Injuries, Irving, Gafford, Exum, Washington
The shorthanded Mavericks lost to Charlotte, 110-105, on Monday afternoon and have now lost nine of their last 12 games, all with Luka Doncic sidelined by a calf strain.
Dereck Lively (right ankle sprain) was downgraded from questionable to out earlier in the day, while Quentin Grimes (back spasms) was a late scratch, Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal notes. Jaden Hardy (right ankle sprain), Dwight Powell (right hip strain) and Dante Exum (right wrist surgery) have been out for an extended period.
“It would be nice at this point in the season to have everyone healthy,” said Kyrie Irving, who recently returned from a back injury. “I’ve missed 10 games, and that’s not something I set as a goal for myself coming into the season. I want to play as many games as possible. But with my MRI coming back on my back and D. Live going down, Luka going down, J. Hardy going down, and other people missing games, it’s unfortunate.”
We have more on the Mavericks:
- Daniel Gafford‘s career-high 31 points, 15 rebounds, and seven blocks went to waste on Monday. “Yeah, I’m frustrated when you get a game like that, but you don’t come out with a win,” Gafford said after the game, per Afseth. “It’s pretty frustrating, but I don’t really want to, you know, be too selfish. You know, I felt like we did a lot of things great out there on the floor to put us in a position to win the game.” The team is reportedly willing to trade Gafford for a top-level perimeter defender.
- Speaking of Exum, coach Jason Kidd said the veteran guard has been shooting, but he’s “still a ways away” before a timetable can be established regarding a return to action, Afseth tweets. Exum has yet to make his season debut after appearing in 55 regular season games last season. He underwent his wrist surgery in October.
- P.J. Washington is averaging 32.5 minutes per game, more than any other Dallas player not named Doncic or Irving. Washington’s defensive versatility is an essential element, Christian Clark of The Athletic writes. He’ll continue to draw the toughest assignments, even if the front office makes a trade to improve the perimeter defense. “I feel like I can guard anybody,” Washington said. “I feel like I’m comfortable guarding smalls, bigs, it doesn’t really matter.”
Southeast Notes: Ball, Adebayo, Ware, Herro, Hawks
LaMelo Ball leads the Eastern Conference All-Star voting among guards despite the Hornets‘ poor record (11-28). However, Ball has stepped up his game, particularly on defense, Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer writes.
Ball had 23 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in Charlotte’s victory over Dallas on Monday afternoon.
“His two-way play has really helped us,” coach Charles Lee said. “We’ve made an effort to play with more pace offensively. I think the whole squad has really bought into that and he’s really the head of the snake when it comes to pace, and his attack and willingness to either go finish in the attack or collapse the defense and kick out for some early opportunities.
“And then defensively, he’s denying (Kyrie) Irving at the end of the game, being more physical. I feel like in our transition defense, we are having a lot more communication and urgency to get back. So, just really impressed with his two-way game and not trying to be offensively focused.”
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- The pairing of Bam Adebayo and rookie Kel’el Ware gave the Heat a “dynamic” new look, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. At the end of the first half and beginning of the second half, the Heat went on a 36-13 run against San Antonio on Sunday with the two bigs playing together. “Right now, defensively that just looked like it was elite,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “So if I have to lean into this thing defensively right now for our team to get to another level, I will. That could be a path and we’ll dive into this. But that looks like a path where we can find some higher success, at least on one side of the floor.”
- Tyler Herro is averaging career bests in points, rebounds and assists and the Heat wing is drawing extra defensive attention. Lakers coach JJ Redick says the Herro needs to be guarded like Stephen Curry. Adebayo said it’s a learning experience for Herro, Chiang writes. “He is the focal point of a lot of scouting reports,” he said. “So for us, it’s understanding that he’s got to play kind of like Steph. He might not get the ball, but go set a screen, go screen somebody. That’s how you get yourself open. Me and him had that conversation during the (Spurs) game. He was like, ‘Man, what am I supposed to do?’ I was like, ‘Just go screen for somebody.’ Literally if they’re face-guarding you, just go screen for somebody. Somebody is going to be open.”
- The Hawks have the East’s fourth-best record in large part because they’re handling adversity better, according to Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. They have a 6-2 record against the teams above them in the conference standings. “Your hope is when you find adversity in the game, because it comes in a lot of different forms that that can bring you together and you can raise your level, as opposed to it splitting you apart,” coach Quin Snyder said.
New York Notes: Bogdanovic, Knicks, Nets, Robinson, Achiuwa, Sims
Bojan Bogdanovic has resumed on-court activities for the Nets, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports. However, he’s still not close to returning to action.
Bogdanovic, acquired from the Knicks in the Mikal Bridges blockbuster, underwent foot and wrist surgery during the offseason. The 35-year-old has an expiring $19MM contract.
We have more on the New York teams:
- While the Knicks are probably done making blockbuster deals, they could still make a notable move before the deadline. The Athletic’s James Edwards looks at some potential trades the Knicks could make, then canvasses other Athletic beat writers for their opinions. The most intriguing idea suggested would be a three-way deal with the Pistons and Bulls in which New York lands Isaiah Stewart and Torrey Craig, while Zach LaVine winds up in Detroit.
- The Thunder have provided a blueprint for the Nets’ regime to follow, Lewis writes. The Nets have been collecting draft picks and opening up cap space and they can use those draft picks to build long-term sustainable success if they remain patient. They’ve already made necessary but difficult trades, moving veterans for assets. “[The Thunder] have trusted the process,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “You can see they’re a group that believe in what they do, and they trust what they do. And this is because, along a period of time, even if things go one way or the other and there’s adversity, there’s no second-guessing.”
- Mitchell Robinson‘s uncertain return as he continues to rehab from foot surgery complicates the Knicks’ trade deadline approach, according to Steve Popper of Newsday. Citing league sources, Popper reports that Robinson is considered a risk by potential suitors without seeing him play before next month’s deadline. He’s not expected to return before that happens, Popper adds. Assuming Robinson is not traded, the Knicks will have a hard time counting on him to stay healthy when he does return. Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims are also potential trade pieces as the Knicks seek to upgrade their bench but they are hesitant to move either one until they know when Robinson will suit up.
Fenway Sports Group Not Expected To Bid For Celtics
Fenway Sports Group was identified last summer as a potential bidder for the Celtics, but with Boston’s ownership group expecting its first round of offers by this Thursday, FSG is not expected to be involved in the process, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.
Fenway Sports Group is the controlling owner of MLB’s Boston Red Sox, the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, and Liverpool FC of the Premier League. The company also has NASCAR and golf properties in its portfolio and has expressed interest in investing in a basketball franchise.
However, FSG CEO Sam Kennedy said in September that a bid for the Celtics was “not on our radar,” and nothing has changed since then, according to Cotillo.
A recent report from The Boston Globe stated that the Celtics’ current controlling owners, led by Wyc Grousbeck, are expecting to receive bids from four or five groups by this Thursday. Current Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca is reportedly heading up one of those prospective ownership groups, but the identity of the other bidders isn’t yet known.
Lakers star LeBron James is involved in Fenway Sports Group as an investor and has repeatedly expressed interest over the years in the idea of owning a franchise in Las Vegas, so there has been speculation – as Cotillo details – that FSG is eyeing a potential Vegas expansion team in the coming years.
Draymond Green Out At Least One Week With Calf Strain
Warriors forward/center Draymond Green has been diagnosed with a mild left calf strain and is expected to be reevaluated in one week, reports Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link). The team has officially confirmed Slater’s reporting (Twitter link).
As Slater notes, that means Green will miss at least Golden State’s next four games, including Monday’s matchup with the defending champion Celtics. He’ll also be unavailable for games vs. Sacramento (on Wednesday), Chicago (Thursday), and the Lakers (Saturday) before being reexamined.
Green, who previously missed three consecutive games due to a back injury and an illness, made his return on Saturday vs. Washington, but was on the court for just three minutes before sustaining a first-quarter calf injury that sidelined him for the rest of the night.
Green has averaged 8.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game through 34 contests this season for the Warriors. As usual, his impact goes beyond the box score — Golden State has a +3.9 net rating during his time on the court and a -3.0 mark when he’s not on the floor.
Buddy Hield and Gui Santos earned starts during Green’s absence, but it will be Gary Payton II elevated to the starting five on Monday vs. Boston, tweets Slater. Moses Moody has also played an increased role as of late and should continue to see regular minutes with Green on the shelf.
In more positive Warriors injury news, Stephen Curry will be active on Monday after spraining his left ankle in Saturday’s game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Green Named Players Of The Week
Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been named the Player of the Week in the Eastern Conference, while Rockets guard Jalen Green has won the weekly award for the Western Conference, according to the NBA (Twitter link).
It’s the 25th time that Antetokounmpo has earned Player of the Week honors over the course of his decorated 12-year NBA career, including the second time this season.
In four games during the week of Jan. 13-19, the two-time MVP averaged 32.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 34.5 minutes per game, making 66.7% of his shots from the floor as the Bucks went 4-0. Milwaukee beat Sacramento, Orlando, Toronto, and Philadelphia by an average margin of 19 points per game in a dominant week.
Antetokounmpo beat out fellow nominees LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, Darius Garland, Damian Lillard, and Onyeka Okongwu for the Eastern Conference award, per the NBA (Twitter link).
Green, meanwhile, was named Player of the Week for the first time this season and the second time in his four-year career. The former No. 2 overall pick has scored at least 26 points in eight consecutive games, including all four of Houston’s contests this past week.
Green led the Rockets to a 3-1 week by scoring 32.5 points per game on a scorching-hot shooting line of .606/.633/.962. He also chipped in 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per night.
A trio of Clippers – James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac – headlined the Western Conference’s other Player of the Week nominees and were joined by Devin Booker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Scoot Henderson, Trey Murphy, and Jamal Murray.
Raptors Rumors: Facilitation, Brown, Boucher, Mitchell, Olynyk
Doug Smith of The Toronto Star reported last week that the Raptors have signaled their interest in getting involved in a potential Jimmy Butler trade as a facilitator. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link), it’s not just a Butler deal that Toronto is open to facilitating.
The Raptors have let it be known around the league that they’re willing to help grease the wheels on potential deadline deals, sources tell Fischer.
“They are as well positioned as anyone to facilitate a trade,” an Eastern Conference executive told Fischer. “If a team needs to send out four players to make the math work, do you send one to Toronto?”
The Raptors currently have more than $10MM in breathing room below the luxury tax line and are carrying just 14 players on full-season salaries (with Orlando Robinson on a 10-day deal), so they have both cap and roster flexibility. They also have a handful of players on expiring contracts, including Bruce Brown ($23MM), Chris Boucher ($10.81MM), and Davion Mitchell ($6.45MM).
Brown, Boucher, and center Kelly Olynyk are the Raptors most frequently cited as trade candidates, Fischer says, but Mitchell is another player who could make sense as a salary-matching piece in certain scenarios — he’d also hold some appeal to teams seeking another point-of-attack defender, though he offers little offensive punch.
Here’s more from Fischer on the Raptors:
- Toronto is “very motivated” to move Brown, sources tell Fischer. The veteran swingman, who won a title with Denver in 2023, was a popular target on the free agent market that summer and could draw interest ahead of the February 6 deadline from some of the same teams who pursued him at that time. Rival executives have been keeping an eye on Brown following his recovery from offseason knee surgery to see if he can recapture his previous form, Fischer writes.
- If the Raptors are unable to find a suitable trade for Brown, he could become an intriguing buyout candidate, Fischer writes. However, because he’s earning more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($12.8MM), Brown would be ineligible to sign with any team operating above either tax apron if he were to reach free agency. That includes clubs like the Lakers and Nuggets, who are believed to have interest in the 28-year-old, sources tell Fischer. According to Fischer, Denver has considered whether trying to trade out of apron territory to gain more roster flexibility – including the ability to pursue players on the buyout market – would make sense.
- Boucher isn’t regarded as a viable buyout candidate if he’s not traded at the deadline. According to Fischer, the big man actually has some interest in a possible contract extension with the Raptors if he remains in Toronto through Feb. 6, which the team would be open to considering for its longest-tenured player.
Wolves’ DiVincenzo Ruled Out Indefinitely With Grade 3 Toe Sprain
Timberwolves wing Donte DiVincenzo, who has missed the past two games with a toe injury, underwent an MRI and has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 left great toe sprain, the team announced today in a press release.
According to the Timberwolves, DiVincenzo has been ruled out indefinitely, with he and the club currently seeking a second opinion to determine the best treatment option going forward.
While the Wolves don’t explicitly refer to DiVincenzo’s injury as turf toe, it sounds like that may be what he’s dealing with, and a Grade 3 designation represents the most severe form of that injury.
The Thunder recently ruled out Ajay Mitchell for at least 10-to-12 weeks after he underwent a procedure to address a turf toe sprain. If DiVincenzo and the Wolves ultimately determine that he needs to address his ailment via surgery, he could face a similar recovery timeline. Figuring out whether or not surgery is necessary is likely the impetus for the two parties seeking a second opinion.
DiVincenzo, who was traded from New York to Minnesota in the Karl-Anthony Towns blockbuster just ahead of training camp, got off to a slow start with his new team, averaging 9.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game across his first 29 outings, with an underwhelming shooting line of .370/.335/.783.
However, the 27-year-old had been heating up in recent weeks, boosting his averages to 16.4 PPG, 4.3 APG, and 4.9 RPG on .446/.436/.852 in his last 11 contests before the injury.
With DiVincenzo sidelined, rookie guard Rob Dillingham – whose return from an ankle injury coincided with DiVincenzo going down – figures to take on an increased role going forward. He has averaged 10.5 points in 15.7 minutes per night in his first two games back in action.
Trail Blazers Notes: Sharpe, Ayton, Avdija, Henderson
Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe came off the bench Sunday night as coach Chauncey Billups removed him from the starting lineup due to frequent defensive lapses, writes Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian. When Billups informed Sharpe of the decision before the game, he included a clear message about the need to improve on that end of the court.
“It was a good convo,” Sharpe said. “He basically just told me what I needed to do. And today, I think I took a big step in doing what he said. So, I just got to continue to do that, and we’ll be all right.”
Sharpe responded by playing 33 minutes in a win over Chicago, slightly more than he usually sees as a starter. He scored 23 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and Billups was happy with the effort he displayed on defense.
“I was proud of him,” Billups told reporters. “I thought defensively, he was locked in. which is where he needs to be. … I think with him when he’s locked in defensively, it helps his offense. It makes him go.”
There’s more from Portland:
- Deandre Ayton, who sat out Saturday’s game with low back soreness, and Deni Avdija, who missed three games with an ankle issue, both returned to the court on Sunday night, Fentress adds in a separate story. The extra size helped the Blazers post a 50-36 advantage in rebounding, which led to 17 fast break points. “When we can get out and get our guys going and play fast and move the basketball, we’re pretty tough to play against,” Billups said.
- Scoot Henderson continued his recent stellar play with 25 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in 38 minutes. The past four games have marked one of the best career stretches for Henderson, who was selected with the third pick in the 2023 draft. “It’s starting to become so consistent with Scoot,” Billups said (Twitter link from Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report). “I thought he did a good job of picking his spots but continuing to be on attack the whole game. Because we need it. He’s at his best that way. He’s playing really well. I’m proud of Scoot.” Anfernee Simons sat out Sunday’s game with a right elbow strain, so Sharpe may remain in a bench role when he returns if Henderson keeps playing well.
- The Rockets, who won at Portland on Saturday night, could provide a good blueprint for the Blazers, Highkin states in a full story. They were recently in a similar position, but were able to make a quick turnaround due to the development of their young players and an aggressive approach to free agency. “It’s the stage Houston was in before I got there, where they were trying to figure out who is who with a stockpile of lottery picks,” coach Ime Udoka said. “They’re in that same mode right now, with some of those young guys.”