Jamal Murray’s Postseason Availability In Jeopardy?
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray missed his fifth straight game on Sunday against Indiana. Speaking to reporters prior to the game, head coach Michael Malone discussed Murray’s injury, which the team has described as right hamstring inflammation, as Bennett Durando of The Denver Post relays.
“Jamal’s hurt. It’s not careful. He’s hurt,” Malone said when asked how careful the team is being with Murray by withholding him from games. “So there’s a big difference. Careful is if a guy can play and you want to be smart. We’re not in a situation to do that. There are six teams vying for four (playoff) spots. So if Jamal Murray is not out there, it’s not careful. It’s because he literally just is not able to play at the moment.”
A few weeks ago, it seemed like the Nuggets would be a lock to clinch a top-six seed and a guaranteed playoff spot in the Western Conference. But they have gone just 5-8 over their past 13 games, including losing three straight. The standings are so tight that Denver is one game back of the No. 3 seed while also being one game ahead of the No. 8 seed, Durando notes.
Murray has initially been listed as questionable before being ruled out in recent games, but it doesn’t sound like his return is imminent. Malone admitted he wasn’t sure if Denver’s second-leading scorer would be active for the start of a first-round series if the Nuggets make the playoffs. Presumably that would apply to a potential play-in tournament appearance as well, which would take place prior to the playoffs.
“Hopefully he’s able to be back by (the playoffs),” Malone said. “This has been a weird one. It was day-to-day, day-to-day, and then next thing you know, it’s not day-to-day.”
The Nuggets actually have a winning record (8-5) without Murray this season, but they’re a much better team when he’s on the court than when he’s not. He has averaged 21.6 points, 6.0 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 36.3 minutes per contest across 65 appearances in 2024/25, with a shooting slash line of .476/.396/.887.
As Durando observes, Murray was hampered by injuries during last year’s playoff run and during last summer’s Olympics. The 28-year-old signed a four-year, maximum-salary extension before ’24/25 began and is under contract through 2029.
Second-year guard Jalen Pickett received his third start of the season on Sunday in place of Murray.
Draft Notes: Clayton, Flagg, D. Williams, Olbrich
Florida senior Walter Clayton Jr. has boosted his NBA draft stock with an outstanding run in the NCAA Tournament, Adam Zagoria writes for NJ.com. In five tournament games (33.4 minutes per contest), the 6’3″ guard is averaging 24.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists on .500/.487/.905 shooting.
Clayton was ranked No. 63 on ESPN’s big board a couple of weeks ago, but most NBA executives and scouts who spoke to Zagoria believe the 22-year-old will be selected somewhere in the range of mid-first round to early second.
“He has helped himself more with his draft stock than any other player in the tournament,” one executive told Zagoria. “He is going in the first round.”
In 38 games in 2024/25, Clayton has averaged 18.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.1 APG and 1.2 SPG on .451/.392/.871 shooting (32.5 MPG). The Gators will face the Houston Cougars on Monday in the final of this year’s tournament.
Here are a few more notes related to June’s draft:
- Projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg showed last summer in a scrimmage with the Select Team against Team USA ahead of the Olympics that he could more than hold his own against the best players in the world, and his all-around game should help him have a smooth transition to the NBA, per Mark Medina of RG.org. “He looked like a hell of a player, somebody that is only going to get better with more experience,” Kevin Durant said at the time. “He’s 17 years old, coming in and playing like he’s almost a vet. No emotion. He’s just out there doing his job. That’s a good sign.” Flagg’s season with Duke came to an end on Saturday, as the Blue Devils blew a late lead against Houston in the Final Four. Flagg finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks.
- Texas Tech junior Darrion Williams intends to declare for the 2025 draft while maintaining his college eligibility, agent Aman Dhesi tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter links). Williams, who was ranked No. 45 on ESPN’s board, will also enter the transfer portal, according to Givony, who says the combo forward should draw “significant” interest in the late first or early second round after helping guide the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight.
- Australian forward/center Lachlan Olbrich, who recently helped the Illawara Hawks win an NBL championship, has officially entered his name in the draft, the league announced in a press release. The 21-year-old averaged 8.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 1.6 APG in 29 games this season for the Hawks (16.7 MPG). Olbrich is ranked No. 92 on ESPN’s board.
Southeast Notes: Hawks, Sarr, Middleton
Despite having lost their last three games in a row and six of their last 10 contests overall, the Hawks have been making a push to develop their young perimeter players with a play-in tournament berth already assured, writes Jake Fischer for Hawks.com.
No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher in particular has been taking positive strides as the season has transitioned into its home stretch. Accordingly, he has been named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for two months running.
“(Trae Young is) more comfortable and aggressive throwing the ball ahead and seeing those guys attack the rim in transition,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said.
“The floor’s more open,” Young agreed. “And that causes my defender to make a decision whether to help or stay with me.”
The growth of 23-year-old forward Jalen Johnson, prior to his season-ending shoulder injury, and 22-year-old guard Dyson Daniels, a strong All-Defensive Team candidate, also gives the team major hope for the future.
“We think we can propel this team to a championship one day,” Daniels said. “The more we play together, the more chemistry we develop, the more experience we get, the more games we’re going to win.”
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- Another Rookie of the Year candidate, Wizards big man Alex Sarr, has been showing plenty of promise as Washington’s lottery-bound 2024/25 season has wound down, writes Josh Robbins of The Athletic. The 19-year-old, selected with the No. 2 pick last summer, has been taking particular pride in his recent play on defense. “I love that he celebrated a defensive play,” coach Brian Keefe said, referring to a key block in a late-game situation in March. “It wasn’t just an offensive play. That’s winning stuff. That’s a winning play he made. If he wanted to be excited about that, that’s great, because we want him to anchor our defense.” Sarr’s shooting from distance has come and gone this season, but he has been enjoying consistent minutes, which he appreciates. “Being able to have freedom helps you develop as a player,” Sarr told Robbins, “knowing the things maybe you shouldn’t do, the things you have to work on.”
- Former All-Star wing Khris Middleton, just two months into his Wizards tenure, has become a stabilizing veteran presence. According to Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network (subscriber link), Middleton already leads Washington in taking charges. The 33-year-old veteran’s willingness to put his body on the line has inspired his young teammates, Hughes opines.
- In case you missed it, veteran Heat wing Andrew Wiggins is hoping to be back before Miami’s regular season ends, although there is no set timeline yet for his return from his right hamstring tendinopathy.
Northwest Notes: Collier, Hendricks, Nuggets
Jazz rookie guard Isaiah Collier recently surpassed Hall of Fame former Utah guard John Stockton‘s longstanding rookie-season assists record for the franchise of 415, writes Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. Stockton had held the record for 40 years.
Selected with the No. 29 overall pick out of USC, Collier has carved out a solid bench role for himself on the rebuilding Jazz. Across 70 contests, including 45 starts, the 6’3″ pro is averaging 8.5 points, 6.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 25.8 minutes per game. Stockton averaged just 18 MPG during his first pro season, Larsen notes.
Collier has now recorded 434 assists as a rookie. The rookie-season assists record is 868 dimes, courtesy of then-New York guard Mark Jackson. The 16-62 Jazz have four games left on their 2024/25 regular season slate for Collier to keep adding to his franchise-record sum.
Larsen observes that Collier may finish among the top 40 rookies in first-year assists when all is said and done, a promising indicator of his potential long-term upside.
Stockton still leads the NBA, by a significant margin, with 15,806 career regular season assists. His 10.5 APG represents the second-highest average rate of dimes per game, behind only Los Angeles Hall of Fame guard Magic Johnson‘s 11.2 APG.
There’s more out of the Northwest Division:
- During the second quarter of Friday’s 140-112 loss to Indiana, second-year Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks spoke on the broadcast about the broken leg that’s forced him to miss all but three games, Larsen writes in another piece (subscriber link). Hendricks said he has been able to jog a bit and has been partaking in his teammates’ pregame shootarounds, adding that he expects to be fully recovered by May — long after Utah’s 2024/25 season will be over. He also revealed that he has gained 33 pounds since being listed at a weight of 210 as a rookie. Larsen confirms that Hendricks appears to have put on quite a bit of muscle, but notes that the forward hopes to eventually play at around 230-235 pounds.
- At 47-31 on the year, the Nuggets currently occupy the Western Conference’s No. 4 seed. But the 2023 champs are just one game better than the Nos. 6-8 seeds in the conference, with four games remaining on their schedule. Denver is looking to strike a balance between resting its ailing stars ahead of the postseason and securing a favorable playoff position, per Bennett Durando of The Denver Post (subscriber link).
- In case you missed it, second-year Nuggets guard Jalen Pickett has been thriving with an extended role in Denver of late.
Central Notes: White, Porter, Cade
Having been fully given the keys to the Bulls‘ offense in the wake of Chicago’s Zach LaVine deadline trade, guard Coby White has been playing at the highest level of his career of late, writes Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune.
The 6’5″ pro has scored at least 20 points in 16 of his last 17 games, and he and LaVine are now the only Chicago players ever to have racked up over 400 points and 40 three-pointers in a single month. White surpassed his own franchise record on Sunday for the most made three-pointers in a single season.
“I’m not going to limit myself to anything,” he said. “I’m going to continue to get better, continue to be who I am and put my all into this game. Whatever happens after that happens.”
There’s more out of the Central Division:
- Newly acquired Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. enjoyed a superlative performance in a critical 121-115 overtime victory over the Heat on Saturday, writes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Porter scored 24 points, grabbed 12 boards, and dished out eight dimes. He has been counted on more for ball-handling and play-making in the wake of Damian Lillard‘s absence due to a blood clot. Porter also sealed the win with a clutch late bucket beneath the basket. “Fortunate enough I’ve been in those moments where one shot can win the game, or one play, so I just trusted my work, trusted myself and I felt good and confident when I got the trust in my teammates to make that last play,” Porter said. “Those are the moments we live for. I love being in those moments, and I’ll take that shot every chance I get.”
- Pistons All-Star guard Cade Cunningham missed two weeks of action with a left calf contusion. In his first game back on Saturday, a 109-103 loss to Memphis, Cunningham looked pretty much like himself, putting up 25 points, nine boards, and four assists. As The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson relays, Cunningham told reporters he was comfortable returning to the hardwood. “I got hit in my left calf and then it made my right calf tighten up a lot,” Cunningham said of the initial injury. “So it’s just a lot going on. I got sick at the same time, so it was just trying to battle a lot of different things. (Our) training staff got me right, though. I feel great now. So, I feel good going into the playoffs. It was a good game for me to try to shake off the rust.”
- In case you missed it, Detroit big Isaiah Stewart returned from a recent two-game suspension in the Memphis matchup.
And-Ones: NBA’s European Project, Dellavedova, Badji, Cui
Commissioner Adam Silver‘s interest in starting a new NBA venture in Europe goes beyond the potential financial rewards, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. The biggest benefit, according to Vardon, would be direct access to a player development pipeline that has produced numerous NBA stars over the past decade.
“The European development of the kids, especially in the Yugoslavian area, especially in terms of fundamentals, is 10 times better than in the States,” said Misko Raznatovic, the former head of Mega Basket, Belgrade’s pro club, and current Serbian-based agent for Nikola Jokic. “This is the reason you are getting more and more players from Europe.”
Vardon explains that there are no school teams in Europe, so the top players join clubs run by the professional organizations. Unlike the AAU system in the United States, there’s more of an emphasis on developing skills than on playing several games in a weekend. Players who show early signs of stardom like Jokic, Luka Doncic or Victor Wembanyama quickly move on to the pro team, often by the time they’re ready for high school.
“At the age of 15 you get Jokic, you get Doncic, that kind of player, if you don’t teach them how to play basketball, don’t develop their skills and don’t develop their IQ, they will score zero points because based on their athleticism, their quickness, they cannot score anything (in the NBA),” Raznatovic added. “That’s the reason that the guys from this area are getting more skill and a better basketball IQ.”
There’s more from around the basketball world:
- EuroLeague teams will hold an internal meeting Monday in Barcelona to discuss the league’s future amid the proposed NBA project, per Domantas Urbonas of BasketNews. Sources tell Urbonas that shareholders are hoping for “full transparency” on which teams are committed to staying in the league and which might be open to other opportunities.
- Former NBA guard Matthew Dellavedova has agreed to a multiyear contract with the Sydney Kings after being the most sought-after free agent in Australia, per Olgun Uluc of ESPN. Dellavedova, 34, unites with Andrew Bogut, his longtime teammate on the Australian national team, who was recently named an assistant coach in Sydney.
- Ibou Badji, who finished second in this year’s G League Defensive Player of the Year voting, has signed with La Laguna Tenerife in Spain for the rest of the season. Badji had been playing for the Wisconsin Herd.
- Yongxi Cui, who was waived by the Nets in December after tearing his ACL, recently talked about returning to the NBA in a video released by the G League, according to NetsDaily. “In social media, a lot of people thought I’m done,” Cui said. “But a lot of people, like 70 to 80%, think I will get back to the NBA.”
Knicks Notes: Brunson, McBride, Hart, Thibodeau, Anthony
The Knicks‘ backcourt is about to get much healthier for the final week of the regular season, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Star guard Jalen Brunson is expected to be in the lineup tonight against Phoenix after missing 15 games with a sprained right ankle. Miles McBride is also due back soon from a groin injury that has sidelined him since March 20.
“I know any team would be very much improved with Deuce McBride and Jalen Brunson,” Karl-Anthony Towns said after Saturday’s win over Atlanta. “We’re going to do everything we can because the goal was that we’re farther along when we’re back to integrating them back — that we give him a better team than where they left it.”
Cameron Payne returned to action Saturday after missing four games with an ankle sprain, as rookie guard Tyler Kolek slipped out of the rotation. Delon Wright, who made his fifth consecutive start at point guard, also figures to have a reduced role with Brunson and McBride back, but coach Tom Thibodeau didn’t want to answer questions about the rotation.
“The notion of all that stuff, it’s white noise,” Thibodeau said. “The game tells you what to do. Whose shot is it in transition? The open man. And if there’s two on somebody, whose shot is it? You have the responsibility as a primary scorer to make the right play.
“The notion that it has to be this way, that way, there has to be a willingness to sacrifice by everybody. The team has to come first. What’s best for our team? What gives the team the best chance to win? And that’s all anyone should be thinking about. They shouldn’t be thinking about who’s doing this, who’s doing that. That’s not the way this game works. If you care about winning, that stuff shouldn’t matter.”
There’s more on the Knicks:
- Josh Hart, who finished one rebound short of a triple-double on Saturday, admitted that he didn’t react well when he stormed off the court after being pulled from the game with 90 seconds remaining, Bondy states in a separate story. “I wanted to stay in to get the last one, but I wasn’t playing the game the right way,” Hart said. “I was trying to play for that. I didn’t really deserve it, and that’s probably why I didn’t get it. I was playing the game the wrong way at that point, so it is what it is.”
- Saturday’s win was Thibodeau’s 224th with the Knicks, moving him past Pat Riley on the franchise victories list, Bondy adds. Thibodeau trails only Red Holtzman, Joe Lapchick and Jeff Van Gundy.
- Carmelo Anthony, who was announced Saturday as part of the Naismith Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, would like to see the Knicks retire his number, per Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Anthony spent six and a half years with the organization and is one of just seven Knicks players to reach 10,000 points. “A lot of surprises are happening right now around me, so I’m trying to stay in the moment,” Anthony said, “and if that’s one of the surprises, then I would be ecstatic about that. I would love to see that jersey hung up.”
Sixers Notes: Castleton, Butler, Grimes, Bona
The Sixers‘ late-season collapse has been ugly, but it’s providing opportunities for several players who might not otherwise get them, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia dropped its 11th straight game Saturday night and has lost 28 of the past 31. Most of that losing has come with a makeshift roster, as Pompey notes that the team has played without an average of eight rotation players for more than a month.
Among those seeing playing time are Lonnie Walker, who started the season in Lithuania, Jalen Hood-Schifino, who had only appeared in two games this season before signing a two-way deal last month, and Colin Castleton, who inked a 10-day contract on Thursday after two 10-day deals with Toronto.
“I’m (focused on) continuing off my previous stop, just continuing to do what I do well,” Castleton said. “Even though this is the last 10 days, I’m just doing what I can to maximize the minutes that I am getting and just the opportunity. … So I’m just taking advantage of it and whatever comes with it.”
Also benefiting from the situation is Jared Butler, who was promoted from a two-way deal to a standard contract after being acquired from Washington at the trade deadline. After bouncing around the league since 2021, Butler is averaging a career-high 23.8 minutes per night in 24 games with the Sixers.
“It’s been four years, and it’s my first time getting straight-up games where I know I’m going to play,” he said. “Like, the fourth year? Somebody telling you just wait four years until you’re going to be able to play, get a real opportunity. It’s a blessing. I’m just glad I’m healthy and I’m able to play. So I think it’s good for my career.”
There’s more from Philadelphia:
- Quentin Grimes has become a star in the Sixers’ depleted lineup since being acquired from the Mavericks at the deadline, but he’s had to adjust to constant losing for the first time in his career, Pompey adds. Grimes leans on some advice he got from former Dallas teammate Klay Thompson, who said NBA players have the best jobs in the world. “That kind of really stuck with me to put in perspective that I do play basketball,” Grimes said. “People would love to do this every day. I get to come in and work every single day. So I love to do what I do, even though we’re losing now.”
- Adem Bona enjoyed the best game of his career on Thursday, scoring 28 points against Milwaukee, Pompey states in a separate story. The rookie center has been one of the team’s few bright spots and is showing he might have a role beyond this season. “Playing consistent minutes every game, it helps boost your confidence,” Bona said. “It also helps knowing you’re going to be out there tonight — every night. So I think it has helped me, it’s gone a long way. Also, it’s kind of a launchpad into next year, getting ready to play with all the great players we have on our team. I think this is just helping me and building my experience.”
- Although the Sixers came into training camp hoping to contend for a title around Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, there were plenty of warning signs that their Big Three couldn’t hold up for an entire season, Pompey explains in another piece.
Mavericks Notes: Davis, Dinwiddie, Hardy, Gafford
The spotlight will be on Luka Doncic‘s return to Dallas when the Lakers meet the Mavericks on Wednesday, but Anthony Davis will also be facing his former teammates. The All-Star big man, who spent five and a half years in L.A. and helped deliver the 2020 NBA title, downplayed the upcoming event after Saturday’s loss to the Clippers.
“No emotions,” Davis responded when asked how he feels about taking on the Lakers (Twitter video link from Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports).
General manager Nico Harrison’s desire to rebuild his team around Davis was among the motivations for the shocking trade that sent Doncic to L.A. two months ago. Harrison envisioned a tall, talented team that could overpower opponents, but injuries to Davis, Kyrie Irving and others, along with a lack of manpower due to hard cap restrictions, have prevented that from happening.
Instead, Dallas is trying to hang onto a play-in tournament spot with one week left in the regular season. Back-to-back lopsided losses to the Clippers this weekend left the Mavs at 38-41, percentage points better than Sacramento and two games ahead of Phoenix. Aside from Doncic’s homecoming, Wednesday’s game will be important for the Lakers as they try to hold onto the third seed in a crowded Western Conference playoff race.
“It should be electric,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said, per Christian Clark of The Athletic (Twitter link). “I think the fans will be excited to see Luka. We will be excited to figure out how to protect home court.”
There’s more on the Mavericks:
- Spencer Dinwiddie has surprisingly become the team’s leader in minutes played this season, notes Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. The veteran guard, who was the last player the team signed to a standard contract before the campaign began, has appeared in 77 games and logged 2,071 minutes. “It’s adjustment on the fly,” Dinwiddie said. “My task changes game to game, and sometimes, within the game.”
- Dinwiddie was the only point guard available on Saturday after as Jaden Hardy was ruled out shortly before tip-off with a right ankle sprain, Curtis adds in a separate story. When Dinwiddie rested, Dallas ran its offense through Davis, Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin, which resulted in 16 turnovers that led to 19 Clippers points. There’s no word on how long Hardy might be sidelined.
- Daniel Gafford who returned this week from a knee sprain, told Mark Medina of Sportskeeda that the addition of Davis gives the Mavericks a “top-tier defense and top-tier offense.” “With how much gravity he absorbs, he can stretch the floor out,” Gafford said. “So I just have to make plays on the back end. That’s all I got to do, pretty much pick up where he leaves off.”
Pacific Notes: Curry, Lakers, Beal, Clippers
Warriors star Stephen Curry did a little bit of everything in Friday’s win over Denver, including some coaching, writes Ron Kroichick of The San Francisco Chronicle. Holding a lead during a play stoppage late in the game, Curry motioned for coach Steve Kerr to reinsert Gui Santos to provide energy and defense. Kerr took the suggestion, and Santos helped close out a 118-104 victory.
“I was like, ‘OK, if he’s saying it, then I’m going in,’” Santos said. “When the game matters a lot, in the most important moments, Steph wants everything to be perfect. He sees everything.”
Several players expressed the same message about Curry after the game, which was the Warriors’ first regular season win over the Nuggets in more than three years. Curry’s attention to detail when it’s time for “meaningful basketball” is part of what has made him one of the greatest players in NBA history.
“There’s a completely different focus, but you see the focus everywhere,” Draymond Green said. “It’s not just once Steph steps on the court in the game. It’s in practice, it’s in his workouts. He’s on the phone talking: ‘Yo, we need to do this.’ He gets into the weeds around this time. We try to keep him out of the weeds all year, because it can be a bit exhausting. But he kind of knows when it’s time for him to get in the weeds, and that’s where he is right now. … You can see the look in his eyes from a mile away.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Coach J.J. Redick ran several actions involving LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to finish off Friday’s win over New Orleans, per Khobi Price of The Orange County Register. The Lakers have started winning the minutes with their three stars on the court together, and Doncic believes their chemistry is improving. “Obviously, like we talk about, it’s still a work in progress,” he said. “We haven’t had many practices together, but I think we’re getting more comfortable, like you saw (on Friday). It’s getting better.”
- Suns guard Bradley Beal missed all seven of his shots from the field Friday at Boston, but he felt fine physically after returning to the lineup following an eight-game absence due to a strained left hamstring, per Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. “Just getting back into a rhythm, getting back into the pace of the game,” Beal said. “Just got to be a little more aggressive. It was a little bit trying to feel my way into the game.”
- The Clippers are in playoff mode already as they try to climb into the top six in the West and avoid the play-in tournament, according to Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. L.A. has won 10 of its last 12 and entered tonight in a three-way tie for the sixth spot. “Everyone is treating every game like the playoffs. Honestly, it’s fun,” Ivica Zubac said. “I think what the NBA did with that play-in, I think it’s a really good thing. It’s very competitive and it’s been good. The last few weeks have been fun. You just kind of lock in, treat it as a playoff game, a must-win, and I’m sure other teams are like that too.”