Suns Notes: Paul, Shamet, Ayton, Jokic, Durant, Williams, Ishbia
The Suns have ruled out Chris Paul for Game 5 of the team’s second-round series against the Nuggets on Tuesday, ESPN’s news services relay. Paul has already missed the last two games after suffering a groin injury in Game 2.
Although these types of injuries normally take weeks to heal, there’s a possibility that Paul will return for the Suns in Game 6, Shams Charania said on Fan Duel TV (Twitter link). “I think the window for him to return from that groin strain is Game 6, potentially,” Charania said.
We have more from the Suns:
- Guard Landry Shamet and center Deandre Ayton shrugged off criticism and made major contributions in Game 4, Gerald Bourguet of GoPhnx.com notes. Shamet had 19 points in 30 minutes off the bench, more points than the Nuggets’ entire bench produced. Shamet had only 14 points in the first seven playoff games. Ayton’s numbers were modest but he found ways to impact the game. “I thought he came out in that fourth quarter and made some huge defensive plays for us,” Kevin Durant said of Ayton.
- How do the Suns feel about Nikola Jokic only getting fined after his sideline incident with new owner Mat Ishbia? Durant is happy that a potential suspension didn’t overshadow a pivotal contest, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “Glad none of that can get in the way,” he said. “We can just focus on basketball.” Coach Monty Williams feels the same way. “I just heard about the decision and that’s that,” he said. “I’m focused on us playing better, making the adjustments that we need to make. Being better at things we need to be better in. That’s my mindset. I don’t want to give energy and time to something that I can’t control. I’m good with it.”
- Regarding the same incident, Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler wonders why Ishbia didn’t receive some disciplinary action from the league for holding the ball away from Jokic. Keeler suggests Ishbia should pay Jokic’s fine or that he also should get docked $25K.
Eastern Notes: Hawks, Quickley, Pistons, Banchero
The Hawks will take a look at six draft prospects on Tuesday, Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. That group includes three guards — UCLA’s Tyger Campbell, Furman’s Mike Bothwell and Ole Miss’ Matthew Murrell — along with Miami (Fla.)’s Norchad Omier, UTC’s Jake Stephens and Arizona State’s Marcus Bagley.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Immanuel Quickley missed Game 4 of the Knicks’ playoff series against the Heat on Monday due to a sprained left ankle, the team’s PR department tweets. Quickley had been listed as doubtful on Sunday after suffering the injury on Saturday.
- The Pistons need to prioritize perimeter shooting and defense, as well as veteran guards, during the offseason, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press opines. Veteran options for their perimeter needs includes the likes of free agents Jerami Grant and Cameron Johnson (restricted), while Dennis Schroder and Patrick Beverley could fill the other need, unless they bring back free agent Cory Joseph.
- Magic forward Paolo Banchero, who was named Rookie of the Year last week, said he had no idea he might be taken with the top pick last June until draft day, when he saw a report from Adrian Wojnarowski, Banchero told the ESPN analyst on the Woj Pod (Twitter link). “My mom was in complete shock. … I was freakin’ out. Going No. 1 is a whole different thing, especially when you’re not expecting it,” he said.
Lakers Notes: Walker, Davis, James, Defense, Free Throws
Lonnie Walker IV finally got some significant minutes on Game 3 of the Lakers’ second-round series against the Warriors and he gave the team a lift, Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times notes.
Walker played 25 minutes in Game 3 after logging just 28 in the previous eight games combined. His 12 points were five fewer than he contributed in the previous five postseason contests. Walker, an unrestricted free agent after the season, stayed razor sharp despite those limited minutes.
“I’m in love with this game. I’m obsessed with this game and most importantly I’m only 24 so what’s yet to become always keeps me optimistic in life,” he told Turner. “So, day to day, giving it the best I can and understanding once my time is called, once my number is called, just being ready. Can’t make no excuses. At the end of the day, no one is going to feel bad for you. So, you got to go out there and play.”
We have more on the Lakers:
- Anthony Davis (right foot stress injury) and LeBron James (right foot soreness) are listed as probable for Game 4, Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times tweets. Mohamed Bamba (left ankle soreness) has the questionable tag.
- The Lakers’ defense was dominant on Saturday, a major turnaround after Golden State’s Game 2 win. Jovan Buha of The Athletic breaks down the Lakers’ defensive strategy for the game, as coach Darvin Ham notes that the playoffs require continued focus. “I think once you get to a certain point within a series, then there’s no more fooling anyone,” Ham said. “It’s just who does what they do the best. … The more you get deeper into a playoff series headed towards seven games, it’s just the more disciplined you have to be with the little things, the intangibles.”
- Free throw shooting has helped the Lakers neutralize the Warriors’ perimeter game, Law Murray of The Athletic writes. The Lakers outscored the Warriors 28-12 from the free throw line in Game 3 after the teams each made 10 free throws in Game 2. The Lakers won Game 1 in large part due to a 25-5 advantage in made free throws.
Warriors Notes: Kuminga, Fifth Starter, Bounce Back, Road Woes
It’s time for Warriors coach Steve Kerr to let Jonathan Kuminga out of the doghouse, Dieter Kurtenbach of the San Jose Mercury News opines. Kurtenbach argues that Kuminga could provide much-needed size and athleticism against Lakers star big man Anthony Davis.
Kuminga didn’t play in Game 1 of the second-round series and only played a combined 19 minutes in the past two games, but he has looked pretty good in garbage time during those minutes, Kurtenbach adds.
We have more on the Warriors:
- Kuminga is one of a handful of options for Game 4, according to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic. Golden State could also look at a small lineup with either Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, Gary Payton II or Moses Moody filling the fifth slot.
- The Warriors didn’t seem worried after getting blown out by the Lakers in Game 3 and with good reason, Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic notes. The last eight times they have suffered lopsided defeats in the postseason, they’ve won the next game. That includes their Game 7 victory against the Kings in this year’s playoffs s after losing Game 6 at home by 19 points.
- On the flip side, the Lakers’ home court has become a house of horrors for the Warriors, Thompson writes in a separate story. Game 3 was their fourth consecutive road loss to the Lakers and sixth in the last eight meetings. The last time they beat the Lakers on their home floor was in the 2021/22 season opener.
Nikola Jokic Fined $25K; No Suspension
Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic won’t be suspended for a pivotal Game 5 of their playoff series against the Suns on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets. Rather, Jokic will be fined $25K by the league.
A tweet from the league confirms the fine.
There were questions whether Jokic would have to sit out a game due to the Game 4 incident along the sidelines involving new Suns owner Mat Ishbia on Sunday night.
Suns forward Josh Okogie dove into the crowd for a loose ball that bounced into the hands of Ishbia. Jokic then tried to take the ball from Ishbia, who was slow to give it up. The Nuggets center made contact with him after the ball came free and Ishbia fell backward. Jokic was assessed a technical foul during the late second quarter altercation.
One fan was removed from his seat for making contact with the Nuggets big man, while Ishbia remained in his seat after the incident.
Denver can breathe a sigh of relief that its franchise player won’t miss Game 5 with the series tied at 2-2. He is averaging 30.8 points, 13.1 rebounds and 9.2 assists this postseason, including a 53-point explosion in the Game 4 loss.
And-Ones: Boomers, Awards, Thibodeau, Butler, Gilbert
All but one of the 11 Australian players in the NBA have been named to the extended Australian Boomers squad for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Olgun Uluc of ESPN reports. The exception is a notable one — the Nets’ Ben Simmons, though there’s a possibility he’ll be added ahead of the selection camp.
Simmons recently expressed interest in playing for Australia in this year’s World Cup.
Some of the NBA current or past players who made the 18-man list include Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Josh Green, Jock Landale, Matisse Thybulle, Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Xavier Cooks and Thon Maker. The team will eventually be pared to 12 players.
We have from around the basketball world:
- It’s going to be a busy week in terms of NBA awards announcements, the league’s communications department tweets. The All-Rookie team will be revealed on Monday, the All-Defensive Team will be unveiled on Tuesday and the All-NBA team will be announced on Wednesday. The Teammate of the Year award will be announced on Thursday.
- Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is looking for ways to slow down red-hot Jimmy Butler and the Heat. ESPN’s Nick Friedell takes an in-depth look at the relationship between Thibodeau and his former player.
- Nick Gilbert, son of Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, has died at the age of 26, according to ESPN’s News Services. Nick Gilbert had a lifelong battle with neurofibromatosis (NF1), which causes noncancerous tumors to grow on the brain, spinal cord and skin. He became well-known to NBA fans for being Cleveland’s good luck charm at the draft lottery, as the Cavs twice got the top pick when he was the team’s lottery representative.
David Adelman To Interview For Raptors’ Coaching Job
The Raptors are interviewing the Nuggets’ top assistant, David Adelman, for their head coaching job this week, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. Adelman has spent the past six seasons with Denver.
Adelman filled in for head coach Michael Malone for a couple games this season when Malone was placed in the league’s health and safety protocols. The veteran assistant impressed Denver’s franchise player.
“I really think that DA’s a guy who’s gonna be next head coach because he has that, I’m gonna say ‘head’ for a head coach,” star center Nikola Jokic said at that time. “… He knows the answers. He reads, reacts.”
Adelman signed a two-year extension prior to the season.
Toronto has already interviewed Bucks assistant Charles Lee as it searches for Nick Nurse’s replacement. Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez has also been interviewed. The Raptors are looking at a wide variety of candidates for the job.
Knicks Notes: Quickley, Randle, Struggles, Butler
The Knicks will likely be without one of their key reserves for Game 4 of their second-round playoff series against Miami. Immanuel Quickley is listed as doubtful to play on Monday due to a sprained left ankle, the team’s PR department tweets.
Quickley suffered the injury in Game 3 on Saturday, when he scored 12 points in 20 minutes. He’s averaged 9.0 points during the postseason, though he’s struggled with his shooting (34.8%).
We have more on the Knicks:
- Trailing 2-1 in the series, the team needs Julius Randle to break out of his postseason funk, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes. He was limited to 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting and committed four turnovers in Game 3. Overall, he’s averaging just 15.3 points on 34.6% shooting this postseason. “Some of the looks are different. Defense is a little bit tighter,” Randle said. “So I’ve got to do a better job of finding ways to execute off of that.”
- Randle’s struggles are far from the only issues the Knicks have encountered against the Heat, Fred Katz of The Athletic opines. Their perimeter shooting and offensive spacing have been subpar, they’re getting out-hustled and they’re not dominating the glass, as they did in the first round against Cleveland.
- Unless they find a way to counteract Jimmy Butler, the Knicks are doomed, Tom D’Angeleo of the Palm Beach Post opines. Butler returned from a one-game absence to score 28 points in 36 minutes.
Southeast Notes: Isaac, Adebayo, Perry, Wizards’ Draft
Jonathan Isaac only appeared in 11 games this season but the Magic forward is optimistic he’ll be fully healthy by training camp, according to Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel. Isaac’s career has been marred by lower body injuries.
“This is really going to be the first summer I have to fully work,” he said. “Every other summer I’ve been rehabbing trying to get back onto the court. So I’ll hopefully in the next few weeks be a full go. And doing everything I need to do to have a healthy next season.”
Isaac’s contract for next season has a base salary of $17.6MM. It is partially guaranteed for $7.6MM before it becomes fully guaranteed on Jan. 10.
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- Bam Adebayo racked up 17 points and 12 rebounds in Game 3 of the Heat’s playoff series against the Knicks and coach Erik Spoelstra said his impact went beyond the numbers, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald relays. Adebayo also hounded Julius Randle defensively, among other contributions. Spoelstra feels players who don’t put up big offensive numbers often get overlooked. “The average eye might not realize how dominant Bam’s game was to impact a win. He was dominant,” Spoelstra said. “And the shame of it is in today’s day and age, people only view that as dominant if you score 40 points or more or have some kind of gaudy stat line.”
- The Wizards should seriously consider longtime NBA executive Scott Perry to be their next GM, Jerry Brewer of the Washington Post opines. The current Knicks GM is the type a multidimensional talent evaluator who could give the Wizards an identity, according to Brewer, who says Perry also has the skill set and personality to lead the organization.
- What would the Wizards do if they wound up with the No. 10 pick in the draft for the second consecutive season? Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington explores that question using the RealGM draft simulator. The Wizards ended up with Kentucky point guard Cason Wallace in that simulation, which would fill their biggest need at a great value, Hughes notes.
Southeast Notes: Hornets Workouts, Bridges, Suggs, Banchero
The Hornets have begun working out draft prospects as they try to bounce back from a 27-win season. They brought in six prospects on Tuesday — Angelo Allegri (Eastern Washington), Malique Jacobs (Kent State), Jarkel Joiner (NC State), Seneca Knight (Illinois State), Jake Stephens (Chattanooga) and Qudus Wahab (Georgetown), the team’s PR department tweets. Joiner barely makes the cut on ESPN’s Best Available rankings — he ranks No. 100 on the list.
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- NBA commissioner Adam Silver defended his suspension of Hornets forward Miles Bridges, which will keep him out of action for just 10 games next season, Shauntel Lowe of The New York Times writes. Bridges, who didn’t play this season, was technically suspended for 30 games for domestic violence but was given credit for 20 games for time served. Silver said crediting Bridges for 20 games seemed like the right thing to do because he missed a year of income.
- Jalen Suggs showed signs of living up to his draft status during the second half of the season, Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel opines. The fifth pick of the 2021 draft appeared in just 14 of the Magic’s first 38 games due to right ankle ailments. His health improved as the season went along and he averaged 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 24.3 minutes in his final 28 games. He also knocked down 38.1% of his 3-point attempts during that stretch.
- Italian Federation President Gianni Petrucci is pessimistic that Paolo Banchero, the league’s Rookie of the Year, will play in the FIBA World Cup this summer, Sportando relays. “Banchero has been overwhelmed by events in recent months. If he won’t be with us for the World Cup, we now hope for the Paris Olympics,” Petrucci said of the Magic forward.