Southwest Notes: Collins, Grizzlies, Murray, Pelicans
Spurs big man Zach Collins played his first NBA game in nearly 18 months on Friday night, recording 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals off the bench in just 13 minutes. His performance helped San Antonio defeat Houston 131-106, as the Spurs bounced back from a 17-point loss to Miami on Thursday.
“He was pretty awesome for his first pro game in two years,” head coach Gregg Popovich said of Collins, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News (Twitter link). “I can’t even imagine what was going through his head before and during the game. He was very good. A lot of rust in there probably after a couple of years. We are happy for him.”
Collins last played in August of 2020 with the Blazers. He has undergone two surgeries on his foot since then, also signing a three-year, $22MM deal with San Antonio as a free agent last offseason.
Collins only played 11 games in 2019/20 and missed the entire ’20/21 season. During the ’18/19 campaign with Portland, he averaged 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 17.6 minutes per game, appearing in a total of 77 contests.
There’s more from the Southwest Division today:
- Mark Giannotto of the Memphis Commercial Appeal makes a case for why the Grizzlies shouldn’t harm their chemistry by making a major deal ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. Memphis currently owns the third-best record in the NBA at 36-18. The team has seen productive seasons from MVP candidate Ja Morant, big man Jaren Jackson Jr. and others, showing great chemistry on both ends of the floor.
- Spurs guard Dejounte Murray isn’t bothered by not making the All-Star team, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News tweets. Murray is averaging a career-high 19.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game. “I am not going to be mad, angry about it,” he said. “I didn’t make it, it’s fine. Everyone that made it, we were well deserved. Good for them. Just to be in the conversation, from where I come from…I am thankful and grateful.”
- William Guillory of The Athletic examines potential trade scenarios for the Pelicans, who currently rank 11th in the Western Conference at 20-32. New Orleans is only one game behind Portland (21-32) for a spot in the play-in tournament. The team will be seeking its third straight win when it plays Houston on Sunday.
Southeast Notes: Okongwu, Anthony, Heat
Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu believes he deserves to be part of this year’s Rising Stars Game over All-Star Weekend, he told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. On the season, he’s averaged 9.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game, though he’s only played in 16 contests to date.
“I think I should, honestly,” Okongwu said. “Everybody can see what I do out there on the court. I think my play really speaks for itself, especially defensively with what I’ve been able to do, guarding on the ball and helping. Offensively, I’ve got my confidence back. I’ve doubled my points scoring to almost 10.
“At the end of the day, we’re on a six-game winning streak playing good basketball, and I’m part of the mix, which is always a blessing. I’m thankful to be able to be on the Hawks, and we’re playing good basketball. I think, all things considered, I should get a Rising Stars nod.”
Okongwu also discussed other topics in the interview, including who he compares himself to as a player and what the team’s expectations are. Atlanta selected the 21-year-old with the No. 6 pick in 2020.
Here are some other notes from the Southeast Division:
- Magic guard Cole Anthony was fined $25K for directing profane and derogatory remarks toward a game official, the NBA announced this week (Twitter link). Anthony made his comments after the team’s 111-102 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday. He finished with 19 points, 11 assists and three steals in the contest, shooting 5-of-11 (45%).
- Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel examines whether the Heat need more versatile players in the closing moments of a game. Miami has finished with either Tyler Herro or Duncan Robinson in most of its close games, adding offense but hurting its defense. Once Victor Oladipo returns, head coach Erik Spoelstra will have another defensive option to insert when necessary.
Joe Ingles To Undergo MRI On Injured Knee
Jazz forward Joe Ingles will undergo an MRI on his injured left knee on Monday, according to Adrian Wojnrarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). Wojnarowski adds (via Twitter) that the team fears he has suffered a significant injury.
Ingles’ left knee buckled during the club’s game against Minnesota on Sunday. He was helped off the floor after recording two rebounds and three assists in just over 12 minutes.
The Jazz are already playing without Donovan Mitchell (concussion), Rudy Gobert (calf) and Trent Forrest (ankle). The team also lost head coach Quin Snyder and forward Danuel House to protocols on Sunday. Utah is 30-20 on the season and 2-8 in its last 10 games.
Ingles has played a regular rotation role for the Jazz this season, averaging 7.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game. He’s started in 14 of those 44 games to this point.
And-Ones: Brown, Fredette, Vaughn, Timma
Long Island Nets guard Bryce Brown is looking to be a steady contributor as he continues to eye his NBA dreams, he told Alec Sturm of NetsDaily in an exclusive interview.
Brown has averaged 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists with Long Island this season, shooting 40% from the floor and 37% from three-point range. He signed training camp deals with the Knicks in 2020 and the Nets last year, but he hasn’t appeared in an NBA regular season game.
“You know, I feel like everybody’s big goal at the end of the year is to get a call up,” Brown said. “But at the end of the day, I just want to get better. I want to become a better all-around player. And if I haven’t got a call up yet, like right now or in [the] next couple of weeks or before the season even ends, at the end of the day I just want to learn what do I need to do to get there?”
Here are some other odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Veteran guard Jimmer Fredette is returning to China to play with the Shanghai Sharks, according to Dario Skerletic of Sportando. Fredette holds 241 games of NBA experience and has made multiple stops in China. “It’s more about trying to win and help these guys, to fit in, to be a leader, and give a sense of calmness and a sense of someone who’s been there and done it with these guys to try to help them in tough situations and provide something they need,” he said.
- Free agent guard Rashad Vaughn has signed in Greece with Lavrio BC, the team announced (via Twitter). Vaughn owns NBA experience with the Bucks, Nets and Magic. He was also the No. 17 pick of the 2015 NBA Draft.
- EuroLeague veteran Janis Timma has signed a contract in the NBA G League, according to the league’s transactions page. Timma will be acquired by the Lakeland Magic, as they hold his returning player rights. He played Summer League with Orlando last August.
Eastern Notes: Dragic, Olynyk, Rose, Grimes
The Raptors are receiving a great deal of interest in veteran point guard Goran Dragic ahead of the February 10 trade deadline, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star writes. Smith reports that Dragic will most likely be traded — not bought out — in the near future.
Dragic, 35, is set to make $19.4MM this season. He’s spent the past six-and-a-half seasons with Miami, who sent him to Toronto last offseason as part of a sign-and-trade for Kyle Lowry. Since then, he has only played five games with the franchise, the last of which was on November 13.
Dragic has been away from the Raptors due to personal reasons. In August, he suggested that he didn’t want to stay in Toronto, a comment that he later apologized for making. He started for Miami just over a year ago on its run to the NBA Finals, averaging 19.1 points in 17 playoff games.
There’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- Pistons big man Kelly Olynyk has cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols, Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press tweets. Olynyk recently returned from a knee injury, but he only played in two games before entering protocols. He’ll miss Sunday’s game against Cleveland (return to play conditioning).
- Knicks guard Derrick Rose revealed that his December ankle surgery was a regular scope and removed a bone spur from his deltoid ligament, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Rose is hopeful to return shortly after the All-Star break. “I felt relief right away after the surgery,” Rose said. “I felt the relief. I’m just being very, very appreciative of where I am at and how much I did just to get to where I am right now.”
- Steve Popper of Newsday examines why starting Quentin Grimes could help change the Knicks‘ fortunes. Grimes has shown potential at just 21 years old, connecting on 40% of his attempts from deep this season. He was drafted No. 25 overall last year.
Quin Snyder, Danuel House Enter Protocols
Jazz head coach Quin Snyder has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the team announced (via Twitter). Lead assistant Alex Jensen will serve as acting head coach when the club plays the Timberwolves on Sunday.
According to Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune (Twitter links), Snyder was at the team’s morning shootaround. He’s currently feeling “alright,” Jensen said. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN also notes (via Twitter) that Snyder is the 18th head coach to enter health and safety protocols this season.
The Jazz will be playing without Donovan Mitchell (concussion), Rudy Gobert (calf) and Trent Forrest (ankle) in the contest. The team has been dealing with availability issues throughout the month, dropping to fourth in the Western Conference at 30-20. Utah owns just a 2-8 record in its last 10 games.
In addition to Snyder, forward Danuel House has also entered protocols. House is currently on his third 10-day contract with Utah. His first deal was signed via a hardship exception, so he’s currently on his second traditional 10-day contract.
Snyder is in his seventh season as Utah’s head coach. Following Sunday’s road game, the Jazz will return home for a six-game stint that starts with facing Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets on Wednesday.
Central Notes: Young, Wigginton, Hayes, LaVine
Former Bulls forward Thaddeus Young discussed a variety of subjects with K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, including his time with the team and how he found out that he was being traded to San Antonio.
Young has only played in 25 games with the Spurs, a team clearly focused on building for the future. He remains grateful for his time with the Bulls, where he averaged an impressive 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game last season.
“Just the moments that I had with my teammates,” Young said when asked about what stands out from his Bulls tenure. “Those are all great guys. We all know I love Zach (LaVine) to death. And he feels the same way. Getting a chance to help groom Pat (Williams) and Coby (White) a little bit. And then the staff was great. I loved having conversations with everyone on staff and making sure the guys were good.”
San Antonio could trade Young before the February 10 deadline, or the team could reach a buyout agreement with the 33-year-old. Chicago has a need at power forward, but is ineligible to reacquire Young unless he’s traded to another team and then waived. The Bulls could also pursue a veteran like Paul Millsap, who reportedly isn’t expected to play another game with Brooklyn.
Here are some other notes from the Central Division:
- Bucks two-way player Lindell Wigginton exited the NBA’s health and safety protocols this week, according to Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link). Wigginton entered protocols last weekend after signing with the team earlier this month.
- Pistons guard Killian Hayes is starting to adapt to his new reserve role, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press writes. Hayes, 20, is averaging 6.3 points per game on just 35% shooting this season. He’s come off the bench in each of the Pistons’ last three games.
- Bulls star Zach LaVine‘s priorities have changed this year, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times opines. With Chicago adding Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic over the last 10 months, LaVine is now playing for a championship contender, something that’s relatively new for him. The Bulls own the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 30-18.
Southeast Notes: Yurtseven, Todd, Anthony, Butler, Vincent
With the return of Bam Adebayo (thumb) and Dewayne Dedmon (knee), Heat center Omer Yurtseven has effectively fallen out of the team’s rotation for now, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes.
Yurtseven started 10 games as Adebayo and Dedmon dealt with injuries, logging double-digit rebounds in every contest. Miami went 7-3 during that stretch. On the season, the 23-year-old has averaged 6.2 points and 6.2 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game, shooting 52% from the floor.
“It’s hard, obviously, because you catch that rhythm and you have that raging fire to just keep going,” Yurtseven said. “But I trust in the coaches and the Heat culture, and I believe if they want me and need me in the game that they know that I’m ready.”
There’s more from the Southeast Division today:
- The Wizards suspended Isaiah Todd one game for conduct detrimental to the team, the club announced in a press release. Todd, who has been on a G League assignment for most of the month, served his suspension during the Capital City Go-Go’s game against the Ignite on Friday. The 20-year-old was selected No. 31 overall in last year’s draft.
- Magic guard Cole Anthony is committing to the 2022 NBA Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Weekend, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Anthony has seen his role increase with Orlando this season, averaging 17.9 points on 39% shooting from the floor.
- In a separate article for the Miami Herald, Anthony Chiang examines some takeaways from the Heat‘s Friday night victory over the Clippers. The Heat were led by Jimmy Butler, who finished with a game-high 26 points, as well as Gabe Vincent, who finished with 23 points in the absence of Kyle Lowry (personal). Lowry will also miss Saturday’s contest against Toronto, marking the seventh straight game he’s missed due to personal reasons.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander To Miss Multiple Weeks With Ankle Sprain
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will miss multiple weeks after suffering a right ankle sprain on Friday against the Pacers, the team announced today. Gilgeous-Alexander will be reevaluated after the All-Star break, which lasts from February 18-23.
In 43 games this season, the Thunder’s point guard averaged 22.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per contest, shooting 42% from the floor and 28% from three-point range. Each of those averages (with the exception of rebounding) are down from last season, but the 23-year-old remains the go-to option on his team.
The Thunder are 0-5 in games that Gilgeous-Alexander hasn’t played this season. One of those losses came against Memphis in a record-setting fashion — OKC was outscored by 73 points, the largest margin of defeat in NBA history. That contest was played in early December on the road.
With Gilgeous-Alexander on the shelf, expect guards Ty Jerome and Theo Maledon to receive more playing time. Oklahoma City owns the second-worst record in the West at 14-34, leading the Rockets by half a game.
Alex Caruso Undergoes Wrist Surgery, Out At Least 6-8 Weeks
JANUARY 24: Caruso underwent surgery on Monday morning and “everything went well,” according to coach Billy Donovan, Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago tweets.
JANUARY 22: Bulls guard Alex Caruso will undergo surgery for a fractured wrist, the team announced on social media (Twitter link). He’ll be re-evaluated in six-to-eight weeks.
Caruso suffered the injury in Chicago’s 94-90 loss to Milwaukee on Friday, getting hit by Bucks guard Grayson Allen on a fast break drive. Allen was issued a Flagrant 2 foul on the play and was ejected.
“For Alex to be in the air like that and for him to take him down like that, it could’ve ended his career,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said as part of a larger quote, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link). Donovan also noted that Allen “has a history of this.”
In addition to Donovan’s comments, the Bulls have also privately expressed outrage to the league office over the play, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports (via Twitter). There’s no word on whether Allen could be suspended for the foul.
Caruso has averaged 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game this season and is one of Chicago’s best defenders. The Bulls are already missing several players due to injuries, including Zach LaVine (knee), Lonzo Ball (knee), Patrick Williams (wrist), Javonte Green (adductor) and Derrick Jones Jr. (knee).