NBA Rumors - HoopsRumors.com

RJ Barrett Receives PRP Injection, Out At Least One More Week

December 8th, 2025 at 8:25pm CST by Rory Maher

Raptors wing RJ Barrett recently received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his sprained right knee, and while he’s making progress in his recovery, he will be out at least one more week, the team announced on Monday (Twitter link via Marc J. Spears of Andscape).

As Spears notes, Toronto hosts New York in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup on Tuesday, and the Raptors will be without Barrett, their third-leading scorer. Jamison Battle (left ankle sprain) is doubtful for Tuesday’s matchup, while key reserve Jamal Shead is questionable because of a right quad contusion.

The No. 3 overall pick of the 2019 draft, Barrett was off to a solid start to 2025/26 prior to sustaining the injury on November 23 vs. Brooklyn. Through 17 games, the 25-year-old guard/forward averaged 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 30.9 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .506/.356/.725.

It’s been an unusual season for Toronto, which won its first game, lost four in a row, won four straight, lost another, reeled off nine consecutive victories, and has now dropped five of its past six games. Despite the recent downturn, the Raptors are still 15-10, the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, though only one game separates them from the No. 9 spot.

Barrett has missed the past eight games due to the knee sprain. The Raptors have gone 3-5 so far without the Toronto native available.

Second-year guard Ja’Kobe Walter has started each of the past five games for Toronto with Barrett sidelined, but has struggled mightily in the past two, going 0-for-9 from the floor in 37 combined minutes. The Raptors were minus-40 when the 21-year-old was on the court over that two-game span.

Magic’s Desmond Bane Fined $35K By NBA

December 8th, 2025 at 7:04pm CST by Rory Maher

Magic guard Desmond Bane has been fined $35K for throwing the game ball at Knicks forward OG Anunoby with force and in an “unsportsmanlike manner” the NBA announced today (via Twitter).

Bane was assessed a technical foul for the incident, which occurred with 6:13 remaining in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s contest in New York (YouTube link). Orlando lost the game by six points.

After an errant pass from Jalen Suggs was stolen by Mikal Bridges, Anunoby and Anthony Black raced down the court in a fast-break opportunity for New York. Black tried to intercept Bridges’ pass to Anunoby but still caught up to the play, stripping the ball from Anunoby, who fell out of bounds.

Bane, who was trailing the action, collected the ball easily while in-bounds and instead of turning around to go to the offensive end, decided to wind up and throw the ball off Anunoby. It the play was ruled a hostile act by Bane, resulting in the technical, though the Magic retained possession since Anunoby was out of bounds.

It was an odd incident, and not the first time Bane has thrown the ball off an opponent this season. The 27-year-old was ejected from a November 4 game at Atlanta after receiving a flagrant 1 foul and a technical for pulling down Onyeka Okongwu on a fast break and spiking the ball off him when Okongwu lost possession (YouTube link).

Bane is earning $36.7MM this season as part of a lucrative long-term contract, so the fine won’t impact him much financially.

Hawks’ Jacob Toppin Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

December 8th, 2025 at 5:22pm CST by Rory Maher

Third-year forward Jacob Toppin, who is on a two-way contract with the Hawks, will miss the remainder of the 2025/26 season after undergoing surgery on Monday to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, the team announced in a press release.

According to the Hawks, Toppin sustained the shoulder injury in a November 29 G League game with the College Park Skyhawks.

After going undrafted out of Kentucky in 2023, Toppin spent most of his first two NBA seasons on a two-way deal with New York. He was waived by the Knicks in early March and quickly caught on with Atlanta, signing with the Hawks a few days later. He re-signed with the Hawks on another two-way contract in July.

Toppin hasn’t played much in the NBA to this point in his career, making 31 total appearances for a total of 131 minutes (4.2 minutes per game). He appeared in five games for Atlanta in ’25/26, averaging just 3.4 MPG.

While his NBA role has been very modest, Toppin has been a productive contributor in the G League. In five games with College Park this season, he filled the stat sheet, averaging 18.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.2 blocks in 31.0 minutes per contest, with a shooting slash line of .480/.357/.600.

The 25-year-old averaged 22.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 3.3 APG on .503/.371/.812 shooting in 23 total G League games in ’24/25 (36.6 MPG).

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Hawks waive Toppin in the coming days or weeks in order to add a healthy two-way player to the roster. Toppin is the younger brother of Pacers forward Obi Toppin, who is also dealing with a long-term injury — he underwent foot surgery at the end of October and is expected to be out until at least the start of February.

Jaylen Brown, Jamal Murray Named Players Of The Week

December 8th, 2025 at 4:54pm CST by Rory Maher

Celtics wing Jaylen Brown and Nuggets guard Jamal Murray have been named the NBA’s Players of the Week, the league announced on Monday (via Twitter).

Brown won for the Eastern Conference, while Murray claimed the award in the Western Conference.

Brown, the 2024 Finals MVP, led Boston to an unblemished 3-0 record in games he played from December 1-7. He sat out the Dec. 4 contest at Washington, which the Celtics won by 45 points. The 29-year-old averaged 34.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.0 steal on .538/.471/.889 shooting in three appearances last week (37.7 minutes per game).

A Georgia native who played one season of college ball for California, Brown is well on his way to making his fifth All-Star game in 2025/26. He’s averaging career highs of 29.1 PPG and 4.9 APG while also contributing 6.2 RPG and 1.1 SPG through 23 contests (33.7 MPG).

Murray, meanwhile, helped guide Denver to a 3-1 record last week. The 28-year-old Canadian averaged 29.8 PPG, 7.5 APG, 4.5 RPG and 1.3 SPG on .595/.621/.929 shooting in four appearances (33.8 MPG).

Murray is off to a fantastic start to the season himself and appears well-positioned to make his first All-Star appearance. Through 22 games (35.0 MPG), he’s averaging 25.0 PPG, 6.8 APG and 4.5 RPG — all career highs — with an elite shooting line of .506/.447/.898.

According to the NBA, De’Aaron Fox (Spurs), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams (Thunder), and Murray’s teammate Nikola Jokic were the other nominees in the West (Twitter link). Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Jalen Johnson (Hawks), Tyrese Maxey (Sixers), Michael Porter Jr. (Nets), and Brown’s teammate Derrick White were nominated in the East.

Terry Rozier Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Gambling Charges

December 8th, 2025 at 3:56pm CST by Rory Maher

Heat guard Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty to two federal charges related to illegal sports betting on Monday in Brooklyn federal court, reports Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic.

Rozier, who was arraigned alongside friend and alleged co-conspirator Deniro Laster, was released on $3MM bond secured using his Florida home, Vorkunov adds.

Rozier was arrested on October 23 on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors allege the 31-year-old combo guard tipped off Laster that he would remove himself from a game in March 2023 when he was a member of the Hornets. The indictment states Laster then sold that information to two bettors for approximately $100K.

A former first-round pick (16th overall in the 2015 draft), Rozier is earning about $26.6MM this season in the final year of his contract. Both he and Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups — who was arrested in a separate but related illegal gambling case — were placed on immediate leave and aren’t being paid. Rozier’s withheld salary is in an interest-bearing account.

Word broke back in January that federal prosecutors in New York were investigating Rozier as part of a probe into illegal sports betting. Investigators were specifically looking at a game that took place on March 23, 2023.

Ahead of that game, one bettor reportedly placed 30 wagers in 46 minutes on the “unders” on Rozier-related prop bets at a casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, raising alarms about potential suspicious activity. At the same time, there was a rush on multiple sportsbooks in New Orleans of under bets on Rozier props. Sportsbooks and the NBA were alerted, and some books stopped taking bets related to Rozier’s performance that day.

After recording five points, four rebounds and two assists in 9:34 of action in the first quarter, Rozier exited the game during a timeout and didn’t return, citing a foot issue. All 30 of those “under” prop bets won as a result of the abbreviated outing, and Rozier didn’t play the final eight games of the 2022/23 season due to the injury.

A source tells Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald that the Heat still haven’t learned from the NBA whether or not they can use Rozier’s salary in a trade or potentially waive him before his salary becomes fully guaranteed in January; about $1.7MM of Rozier’s salary this season is non-guaranteed. While that sum might seem fairly trivial compared to the overall figure, removing it from the team’s books would give Miami extra flexibility below the luxury tax threshold, Chiang writes.

Warriors Add Malevy Leons On Two-Way Deal, Waive Alex Toohey

December 8th, 2025 at 3:18pm CST by Dana Gauruder

3:18 pm: The moves are official, according to the Warriors, who confirmed in a press release (Twitter link) that Leons has taken Toohey’s two-way spot.

2:29 pm: The Warriors are adding 6’9″ wing Malevy Leons on a two-way contract and waiving Alex Toohey, reports Anthony Slater of ESPN (via Twitter).

Toohey requires knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season, according to Slater.

Leons is averaging 14.8 points and 7.6 rebounds for the G League’s OKC Blue, the Thunder’s affiliate.

After going undrafted out of Bradley in 2024, Leons signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Thunder last September and was waived before the 2024/25 season began. However, he was re-signed on a standard contract and spent two-plus weeks with the Thunder last fall before being cut in mid-November. He made six cameo regular season appearances for Oklahoma City during his brief stint with the team.

Leons spent the rest of the 2024/25 season with the Blue, appearing in 47 G League games. He was on Oklahoma City’s training camp roster this year via an Exhibit 10 contract but was waived prior to opening night and rejoined the Blue.

Toohey, a 6’7″ forward out of Australia, played two years with the Sydney Kings prior to coming over to the NBA this year. Last season, he averaged 10.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 23.0 minutes per game.

Toohey was drafted in the second round in June and signed to a two-way in late September. He has yet to appear in an NBA game.

Magic’s Franz Wagner Has High Ankle Sprain

December 8th, 2025 at 2:45pm CST by Rory Maher

December 8: Wagner has a high left ankle sprain, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets. According to Charania, an MRI conducted on Monday showed no structural damage on his left leg, and the Magic forward is expected to be out two-to-four weeks.

December 7: Star forward Franz Wagner appeared to suffer a significant injury in the first quarter of Sunday’s matinee game in New York, tweets James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

According to the Magic (Twitter link), Wagner has a lower left leg injury and will miss the remainder of Sunday’s contest. He will be reevaluated when the team returns to Orlando.

The injury occurred on a fast break (YouTube link). After poking the ball away from Jalen Brunson, Wagner was the first player down the court and positioned himself near the basket. Teammate Anthony Black threw up an alley-oop attempt for Wagner, but Knicks big man Ariel Hukporti swatted the pass away, fouling Wagner in the process. Wagner fell awkwardly and immediately grabbed his left knee in pain.

Hukporti, a fellow German, clearly felt badly about Wagner’s injury and checked in with him. After staying down on the floor for an extended period, Wagner was helped off the court by older brother Moritz Wagner and rookie Noah Penda. He was unable to put weight on his left leg.

It’s a potentially devastating development for the Magic, who just got Paolo Banchero back from a groin strain on Friday. Wagner was off to a terrific start to the season, averaging 23.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals on .487/.354/.823 shooting through 23 games (34.5 minutes per contest).

Wagner, who has been wearing a face mask after breaking his nose in November, was nominated for the Eastern Conference’s Player of the Month award for October/November.

Hoops Rumors Chat Transcript: 12/8/2025

December 8th, 2025 at 2:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Hoops Rumors hosted a live chat today at 2:00 pm Central time (3:00 pm Eastern).

Click here to read the transcript.

Categories:
Hoops Rumors Chats

Timberwolves Notes: McDaniels, Edwards, Shannon, Beringer, Conley

December 8th, 2025 at 1:16pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Forward Jaden McDaniels scored 27 points as the Timberwolves notched their fifth straight victory on Saturday, a 109-106 win over the Clippers. He is averaging a career-high 16 points per game while shooting 48.5% from three-point distance.

McDaniels has been primarily viewed as a top-notch perimeter defender during his career but now his offensive game is coming along, as Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic details. McDaniels is applying some of the lessons he learned from Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard when they worked out together in the offseason.

“Just not letting the defense speed you up, play at your pace at all times,” McDaniels said. “And that’s something I took from him and just staying at your own pace. I don’t want to give out too much because, you know.”

His teammates are appreciative of his all-around contributions.

“What he’s bringing to us is huge,” guard Donte DiVincenzo said. “Throughout the game, sometimes we’re all looking for a spark and he delivers. Sometimes we’re looking to put our foot on the neck and he delivers. And sometimes we’re looking for just some steadiness throughout the game. He’s been doing everything we’ve asked him to do and what’s expected of him.”

We have more on the Timberwolves:

Star guard Anthony Edwards and Terrence Shannon Jr. are listed as questionable to play against the Suns on Monday due to illness, Krawczynski tweets. Neither player attending the team’s shootaround this morning.
Adjusting to the NBA game is just one of the things first-round pick Joan Beringer is learning this season. The French-born center is also trying to get comfortable with the English language while taking driving lessons. The Star Tribune’s Chris Hine talked to Beringer and some of the team’s coaching staff about the challenges the 19-year-old rookie has faced. Beringer has appeared in nine games off the bench.
Veteran point guard Mike Conley has been coming off the bench for Minnesota this season, but he has been on the floor during crunch time in four of the past five games that were within five points in the last five minutes, John Schuhmann of NBA.com notes. Conley made two free throws to tie Saturday’s game with the Clippers in the final minute, then set up Naz Reid’s game-winning three-pointer by attacking a close-out and getting into the paint.

Central Notes: Cunningham, Nesmith, Pacers, Bucks

December 8th, 2025 at 12:42pm CST by Dana Gauruder

It was only two seasons ago that the Pistons lost 28 games in a row and wound up with the league’s worst record. Many of the players from that squad now find themselves on the top team in the Eastern Conference.

Cade Cunningham said the team’s previous futility is a constant motivator.

“So many long car rides after the games and stuff, long nights thinking about what could’ve happened different, stuff like that,” Cunningham told The Detroit Free Press’ Omari Sankofa II (subscription required). “That stuff lives with you. I carry it on the court all the time. I know my teammates carry it. (Isaiah Stewart) has had a lot of experiences in this league that he carries with him every time he plays. I think we’re all better for it.

“It’s the small things that make it up, and we’ve been through the losing end of those things and now, every night, we’re just trying to find ways to come out on top,” he added. “It’s just the details and (it’s) still early. We’re not satisfied or content with where we’re at right now. We’re just trying to keep on stacking, see where it takes us.”

Entering Saturday’s game, each of Detroit’s previous seven matchups had been decided by six points or less. The Pistons were 4-3 during that stretch.

“It’s crazy this year,” Cunningham said. “The difference in those plays is so small, you know? A loose ball with a minute and a half left in the fourth quarter, this year we’re coming up with it. In the past we don’t come up with it. We lose those games. This year we had a game [against Orlando] where we gave up a few offensive rebounds at the end, we lose that game. It’s the little plays that make up the outcomes. I think we’re just getting better at finding those moments and taking advantage more.”

We have more from the Central Division:

Pacers wing Aaron Nesmith has been out since Nov. 13 with a left knee MCL sprain. He’s not close to coming back, according to Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “There’s no timetable,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “… It’s gonna be a while. Hopefully not too long. It would be great if he could be back playing some time this month. He’s making great progress with no setbacks. Time will tell, but I don’t have any set timetable for you.” Quenton Jackson, who has been out with a right hamstring strain since November 3, could return later this week. Second-round pick Kam Jones, sidelined since suffering a back injury in training camp, is ramping up his conditioning. Carlisle said Jones’ first games will most likely be with the Noblesville Boom, the Pacers’ G League affiliate.
Carlisle has been employing a center by committee approach with Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, and Tony Bradley sharing minutes. The Pacers were forced to improvise when Myles Turner left in free agency, and Carlisle has been pleased with the results in recent games. “A lot of progress,” he told Dopirak. “Doesn’t matter who starts. It’s a tag-team thing, it’s a brotherhood thing. Those guys’ job is to hold down the fort. Tony is included in that too. It’s important that the spirit is we just find a way to get it done.”
Bucks coach Doc Rivers gave his team two days off after playing back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. His banged-up squad will have two big practice days on Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday’s game against the Celtics, according to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “I think it’s a very pivotal time for us,” forward Kyle Kuzma said. “It’s sink or swim. We have to treat it like that.”