Injury Notes: Shannon, Shamet, Barrett, Bulls
Terrence Shannon Jr. has been cleared for full-contact, five-on-five practice, the Timberwolves announced in a press release. He is being listed as questionable for Monday’s game against the Kings.
Shannon has missed the last nine games for the Wolves with a left foot fifth metatarsal bone bruise. After playing 339 regular season minutes in his rookie season, he saw his playing time increase following the departure of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, but has struggled to increase his production in the early going, averaging 3.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game through the team’s first seven contests.
In Shannon’s absence, Minnesota has turned to Jaylen Clark, Bones Hyland, and Leonard Miller, among others. The Wolves are 10-6 on the season and have gone 8-3 in their last 11 games.
We have more injury notes from around the league:
- Landry Shamet exited the Knicks‘ loss to the Magic in the first quarter and is now listed as out for Monday’s game against the Nets with a sprained right shoulder, tweets Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. Bondy notes that head coach Mike Brown stated Landry would have a full evaluation in “the coming days,” and that this designation is only tied to the next game’s status. Shamet has been a productive role player for the Knicks this season, starting six games and averaging 9.3 PPG on 42.4% shooting from deep.
- RJ Barrett exited the Raptors‘ win against the Nets on Sunday early with a right knee sprain after landing awkwardly on a dunk, reports Danielle Michaud, as relayed by Blake Murphy of Sportsnet (Twitter link). According to Michael Grange of Sportsnet (via Twitter), Barrett will get imaging done on his knee on Monday.
- Isaac Okoro and Dalen Terry are listed as out for the Bulls‘ game against the Pelicans on Monday, writes K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link). Kevin Huerter and Patrick Williams are listed as questionable with an illness and wrist injury, respectively.
Bulls Notes: Buzelis, Essengue, Smith, Vucevic
Matas Buzelis has embraced the physicality and gritty style of play demanded by the Bulls and head coach Billy Donovan, writes Joe Cowley for the Chicago Sun-Times. The transformation began in the offseason, when Buzelis added 10 pounds of muscle in preparation for stepping into a starring role for Chicago.
“I said before the season started that this would be a great year of growth for him because he’s going to see things he hasn’t seen his rookie season,” Donovan said. “The thing I love about Matas is he leans into it and he’s eager to improve.”
The second-year forward has raised his averages is nearly every meaningful category so far in his second NBA season. He’s currently contributing 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 27.8 minutes per game, and he’s embracing the increased focus that comes from his newfound status on the team.
“Most of the time the best defender is guarding me and that puts a target on my back,” Buzelis said. “I like that, that’s how I’m going to get better and stride forward.”
We have more from the Bulls:
- After being selected 12th overall in the 2025 draft, Noa Essengue finally made his NBA debut in the Bulls’ 16th game of the season. The patience he displayed in waiting for his chance to take the floor extended to his first stint on the floor, according to Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune, who notes that a single missed field goal represented Essengue’s only contribution to the box score in four minutes of action. Still, he wasn’t discouraged by the outing or by the time it took to get there. “It was nice to get on the court with my teammates since I’ve worked two or three months now,” Essengue said. “I just enjoyed it. I know I don’t got a lot of time so I just tried to enjoy every moment.” Even that brief appearance provided Donovan with some insights to take away. “I’d like to see him get his motor going a little bit more,” the Bulls’ coach said, “but I was happy I could throw him in there for a few minutes.”
- Donovan hinted that Jalen Smith will likely be in the rotation even when Zach Collins returns from wrist surgery, reports Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic, who says (via Twitter) that Donovan compared it to how the Spurs and Cavaliers use their big men. “We may have to look at two bigs together some, or playing three bigs rotationally,” Donovan said. “I think we gotta find what’s best to play all three.” Smith has performed well for the 9-7 Bulls, averaging 10.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in just 16.4 minutes per night while shooting 37.1% from three.
- The Bulls came out of Saturday’s game against the Wizards with a one-point win, but Nikola Vucevic was unimpressed by the team’s mentality, writes Lorenzi for The Athletic. “For three quarters, we were very soft,” Vucevic said. “We gave no resistance. We didn’t do anything that we talked about. Just played really soft. It was really bad… I don’t think we understand that it’s just not sustainable to play this way.” Buzelis, whose celebration of the victory irked Vucevic during a post-game interview (Twitter video link), conceded his teammate’s point when he spoke to reporters a little later. “He believes that we should beat that team by a lot more, and I totally agree with him,” Buzelis said. “He has every right to be upset. We have to be better, for sure.”
Tyler Herro Set To Make Season Debut Monday
Tyler Herro will make his season debut for the Heat on Monday as long he doesn’t experience a setback before then, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports (via Twitter).
Herro has been sidelined since September, when he underwent surgery to alleviate posterior impingement syndrome in his left ankle. Monday’s game against the Mavericks has been viewed as his targeted return date for the last week or so, as he returned to practice with the Heat.
Herro is coming off the first All-Star season of his career and will look to resume his place at the head of Miami’s offense, which looks dramatically different – and is much faster-paced – than a year ago.
The Heat are currently 11-6 following their victory over the Sixers on Sunday and have won 9 of their last 11 games.
Al Horford Out At Least A Week With Sciatic Injury
Al Horford will miss at least a week for the Warriors with sciatica, per Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area (via Twitter).
The injury is being classified as right sciatic nerve irritation, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN (Twitter link), who notes that Horford will be out for at least three games: Monday vs. Utah, Wednesday vs. Houston, and Saturday vs. New Orleans.
Horford is currently averaging the fewest minutes, points, rebounds, and assists per game of his career, as well as his lowest three-point percentage in 11 seasons, as he adjusts to coming off the bench for Golden State.
Sciatica is the same type of medical issue that kept LeBron James sidelined for the Lakers’ first 14 games, though the wording on Horford seems to suggest that his ailment is less severe than James’ was.
The Warriors have cooled off since their 4-1 start to the season and are now 9-9 after losing their last three games. Horford’s injury will provide yet another test for Golden State’s frontcourt depth, as Jonathan Kuminga remains out with knee tendonitis and Draymond Green is listed as questionable for Monday’s game with a foot sprain.
Anthony Davis Upgraded To Doubtful For Monday
Anthony Davis has been upgraded to doubtful for the Mavericks‘ game against the Heat on Monday night, tweets Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News.
Curtis had noted earlier in the day (via Twitter) that Davis had joined the Mavs on their trip to Miami, and that today marks seven days since the team announced the big man would be re-evaluated in seven-to-10 days as he looks to return from the left calf strain that has caused him to miss the previous 13 games.
Davis has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks following Dallas’ decision to part ways with former general manager Nico Harrison. While many have expected the personnel change to mark the start of a new era of Mavs basketball built around former No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, minority owner Mark Cuban insisted that the club won’t try to trade Davis this season.
Other reports have indicated that proving he can stay healthy and leading the Mavs – who are currently 5-13 – to some wins would be determining factors in whether a team would be willing to put together the type of trade package that would force Dallas to consider dealing the incredibly talented but often-injured forward/center.
Davis is not the only player on the Mavs’ injury report, Curtis writes. Dereck Lively II is out with what the team calls right knee injury management, while guards Brandon Williams and Ryan Nembhard are questionable with lower back tightness and a left knee sprain, respectively.
Georges Niang To Be Reevaluated In 10-14 Days
Georges Niang will be reevaluated in 10-14 days as he seeks to return from a fourth metatarsal stress reaction in his left foot, the Jazz announced in a press release on Saturday.
The injury has kept Niang sidelined since Utah acquired him from Boston in a financially motivated trade that sent rookie second-round pick RJ Luis to the Celtics in exchange for Niang and two second-round picks.
Niang spent five seasons in Utah after playing his rookie year with the Pacers. He split last season between the Cavaliers and Hawks, averaging 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while making 40.6% of his three-pointers in 79 total appearances.
Niang holds value as both a locker room presence and a reliable offensive player at the power forward spot for the Jazz, who are off to a 5-10 start this season. With starting center Walker Kessler out for the season, the team could use reinforcements in the frontcourt, and Niang could slot in either beside or in place of Kevin Love in the rotation.
Tyler Herro Targeting Monday For Season Debut
Tyler Herro is nearing his return from the ankle surgery that has kept him sidelined since September, and is targeting the Heat‘s matchup against the Mavericks on Monday for his season debut, reports Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press (via Twitter).
Herro returned to practice last Sunday for the first time since the season began. Both he and head coach Erik Spoelstra spoke previously about their confidence that the star shooting guard will be able to fit in smoothly with the team’s new offensive approach, which has dramatically de-emphasized pick-and-rolls in favor of quick drive-and-kick attacks.
Herro is coming off his first All-Star season with the Heat, as he averaged 23.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 37.5% from three in 2024/25. He took on a large portion of the team’s ball-handling responsibility last season, and it will be interesting to see how he can adjust to the team’s new pace, as well as the acquisition of fellow shooting guard Norman Powell from the Clippers this Summer.
Powell, so far this season, has improved on last season’s career-best performance. In 11 games this season heading into Wednesday night, he has averaged 25.5 points while shooting a blistering 46.1% on three-point tries. While those numbers will likely drop as the season goes on, Powell has been an elite shooter throughout his NBA tenure, shooting 40.0% on 2,735 career three-point attempts over 11 seasons.
It’s unclear whether the overlap in Powell and Herro’s skill sets will result in one of them coming off the bench (Herro was the Sixth Man of the Year in the 2021/22 season), or if Davion Mitchell will be the one who ends up being moved to the second unit.
Mitchell has done a good job organizing the Heat’s offense this season, averaging 7.4 assists per game in 14 outings, all starts, while adding 10.8 points per night and playing tenacious on-ball defense, which isn’t a strength for Herro or Powell.
Jason Kidd Speaks On Knicks’ Offseason Pursuit
Ahead of the first matchup between the two teams this season, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd spoke about the Knicks‘ public desire to interview him for their head coach vacancy this summer, according to Christian Clark of The Athletic.
Kidd confirmed the summer reporting that Dallas denied the Knicks’ request to interview him, but added that it wouldn’t have mattered either way.
“I was never thinking about leaving Dallas,” Kidd said. “Understanding that we have a lot of work here to be done. I’m all in to be able to do that. I was drafted here. I have won here. I love the city. I love the fans. It never crossed my mind to leave Dallas.”
Reports during the Knicks’ coaching search suggested that there was mutual interest between Kidd and New York, which was the Hall of Fame point guard’s final stop in his playing career. However, that interest ultimately didn’t lead anywhere, as Kidd ended up signing a multi-year extension with the Mavs a month after the Knicks hired Mike Brown.
That’s not to say that Kidd didn’t appreciate the pursuit, though.
“I think it’s safe to say we all enjoy being wanted,” Kidd said. “That was a nice touch.”
This is the fifth season Kidd has spent as the head coach of the Mavs. He holds a record of 183-160 in that time, with a run to the NBA Finals in 2024 standing out as the high point of his tenure in Dallas.
Central Notes: Atkinson, Antetokounmpo, Turner, Cunningham
Cavaliers’ head coach Kenny Atkinson had a strong reaction to the news that Cleveland had been fined $100K for violating the league’s player participation policy, Chris Fedor writes for Cleveland.com.
“I think my number one job is to continue to protect the health of our players,” Atkinson said. “So [it’s] kind of that simple. I think that Miami game, we came home at 3:30 in the morning, so you have to anticipate sometimes too, what the schedule looks like. We have those discussions, we make decisions. I’ll rock with that decision.”
The player participation policy was changed prior to the 2023/24 season in an attempt to address what the NBA felt was an issue of star players resting despite being otherwise healthy. Stars under the policy are defined as players who have made an All-Star or All-NBA game within the past three years.
[RELATED: NBA Stars Affected By Player Participation Policy In 2025/26]
The Cavaliers violated the policy last Wednesday by resting both Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, though Atkinson disagrees with the message the NBA’s fine sends.
“We win that game too,” Atkinson said. “So, to me, you throw that on top of it and it’s like, wait a second, are you discrediting the guys that played that night? Is that a weird way to look at it? We’re in a competitive environment here. So, on top of it, we helped develop guys and we won the game and then we get penalized for it.”
Atkinson said that while he understands the policy, he doesn’t plan to change his approach moving forward.
We have more from around the Central Division:
- The Bucks have struggled to maintain leads with Giannis Antetokounmpo off the floor, a trend that will be put to the test with the news that the star forward will miss at least the next week or two, writes Eric Nehm for The Athletic. Nehm notes that the Bucks this season have outscored opponents by 7.6 points per 100 possessions with Antetokounmpo on the floor, but have been outscored by 12.8 points per 100 possessions when he’s not playing. According to Nehm, the team will have to lean heavily on early-season breakout guard Ryan Rollins, who has led Milwaukee in scoring in games Antetokounmpo has missed. “It doesn’t look good right now,” coach Doc Rivers said. “We got [Kevin Porter Jr.] out and Giannis out. That’s not great for our team, but we’re either going to find somebody or find something to run that will pay dividends later, and that’s the stretch we’re about to go through.”
- The news of Antetokounmpo’s injury is also a blow to the budding chemistry between the Bucks‘ newly formed partnership between the two-time MVP and Myles Turner. Grant Afseth of RG.org writes that the addition of Turner has given the Bucks a chance to bridge the past iterations of the team to its future. That connection started on the court, but extends to how they support each other in terms of the mental side of the game, which was evident when the team visited Indiana for the first time following Turner’s Pacers exit. “To be able to come here in Indiana, all-time leading block leader, to be booed… he might not say it, but it kind of hurt,” Antetokounmpo said. “We are here to pick him up, tell him how much we love him and respect him. We understand how much he gave for the team Indiana and how much he’s willing to give for Milwaukee.”
- As the Pistons have gotten off to one of the hottest starts in the league, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been particularly impressed by star Cade Cunningham‘s demeanor and relationships with his teammates, regardless of whether the team is having success or piling up losses like it did earlier in his career, writes The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson. “He could’ve been pissed off. He could’ve been frustrated. He could’ve blamed everybody else, but never once did you hear him do that. The only thing he ever did was put his head down, go to work and accept responsibility,” Bickerstaff said. “I marvel at a guy that age, who is able to handle his teammates the way he does. (He’s) a guy who very easily could separate himself from the group, but he never does. He’s always the one pulling people together. He doesn’t want to be treated any differently. He can eat without taking food off your plate. There’s nothing better than that from your superstar.”
Kevin Porter Jr. On Track For Early December Return
Kevin Porter Jr. is ramping up his right knee meniscus rehabilitation and is on pace to hit the Bucks‘ previously reported timeline of early December, reports The Athletic’s Eric Nehm (Twitter link).
“Yeah, I think right on track,” head coach Doc Rivers said on Wednesday. “He looks good. He ran skeleton today and he looked good.”
Rivers said that Porter’s energy has been much improved since returning to the court, per Nehm (Twitter link). Porter, when informed of Rivers’ assessment, discussed the injury and its impact on him.
“This is my first surgery ever,” Porter said. “So, two weeks (ago), (on) Monday, that was when I woke up and everything like that, couldn’t walk. I was on crutches for the first time, so of course, I’m human, so my energy is going to be a little low. But being back, being able to walk, being able to sleep regular, just live by my daily routines again is definitely uplifting.”
Porter also spoke about the work he’s been doing as part of his ramp-up, as Nehm relays (via Twitter).
“Just stationary shots, moving shots,” he said. “I did a lot of moving today. Today was the best day, I would say, as far as movement and cardio and things like that, but I think now I’m at the place where I’m trying to get my body back active.”
After signing a new two-year, $10.5MM contract with Milwaukee over the summer, Porter has played just one game this season, scoring 10 points in nine minutes. The Bucks have gotten out to an 8-7 start to begin the year.