Pacers Notes: Huff, McConnell, Injuries, Bradley
Pacers center Jay Huff had a career night in Friday’s win over New Orleans, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star (subscription required). The 7’1″ big man posted a career-best 29 points (on 13-of-17 shooting) while chipping in nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 29 minutes.
“(Huff’s) getting better just at understanding where he needs to be,” Pascal Siakam said. “Continuing to run the floor, get some good rolls. He’s a shooter, so sometimes I think he forgets that he’s seven-feet, you know?
“So get down there. Get some of those dunks, those tricky ones — he owes me an assist today too for that missed dunk he had — but naw, I think he’s just playing free, shooting open shots, running hard and playing hard and getting those rolls and he’s able to get buckets.”
Huff, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Memphis, got off to a relatively slow start with Indiana, averaging 7.8 points and 3.9 rebounds on .413/.294/.833 shooting in 34 games through the end of December (19.5 minutes per contest), Dopirak notes. However, the 27-year-old has played some of the best basketball of his career since the start of the new year, scoring 20-plus points three times and averaging 13.4 PPG and 3.6 RPG on .667/.424/.833 shooting over the past eight games (23.0 MPG).
“There’s growth with his connection with his teammates,” head coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s feeling the game that we play better and better all the time.”
Known for his shot-blocking prowess, Huff — a former G League Defensive Player of the Year — is second in the league in blocks per game (2.1) among players who qualify, Dopriak adds.
Here’s more from Indianapolis:
- While there was little doubt that he would reach the threshold given that he’s been regular part of the rotation, Huff also had his salary for 2026/27 fully guaranteed after playing at least 825 minutes in 2025/26 — he’s currently at 845. His contract previously featured a $379K partial guarantee for next season, but he will now earn a guaranteed $2,667,944. The Pacers have a 2027/28 team option on Huff worth $3,005,085 — that figure will now be guaranteed as well if the option is exercised.
- Backup point guard T.J. McConnell joined Lou Williams as just the second player in NBA history to record at least 3,000 assists off the bench, per Tony East of Circle City Spin. The 33-year-old dished out nine assists on Friday to surpass that threshold. “Getting an assist, my teammates have to make the shots at the end of the day,” he said. “So for me, this says more about the players that I’ve played with in Philadelphia and especially here. Been fortunate to play with some great players in some great locker rooms, and just thankful for each and every teammate I’ve played with.”
- The Pacers will be shorthanded on Saturday in Detroit on the second of a back-to-back, tweets Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files. Siakam (rest), McConnell (left knee/elbow injury management), Aaron Nesmith (rest) and Andrew Nembhard (lower back injury management) are all out. However, center Isaiah Jackson has a chance to return — he has been upgraded to questionable. Jackson has been out since December 23 due to a concussion.
- Tony Bradley‘s 10-day contract will expire on Saturday night, East notes (via Twitter). The veteran big man was waived at the beginning of January before his contract became guaranteed but Indiana brought him back a few days later. The Pacers have the option to re-sign Bradley to a second 10-day deal.
Pacific Notes: Luka, Lakers, Achiuwa, Kawhi, Santos
The Lakers are coming off a disappointing home loss to Charlotte and will be without the NBA’s leading scorer for Saturday’s matchup in Portland, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN relays. Star guard Luka Doncic will miss Saturday’s game due to left groin soreness, while centers Jaxson Hayes (left hamstring tendinopathy) and Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness) are questionable to play.
Veteran guard Marcus Smart was critical of the Lakers’ defensive effort on Thursday after the Hornets shot 53.5% from the field and 46.5% from three-point range en route to 137 points, per Janis Carr of The Orange County Register.
“It doesn’t matter who it is. The team or the player doesn’t matter. When they play [against] us, everything goes through the roof,” Smart said. “If they were shooting 20%, they shoot 50% [against us]. It’s unfortunate, but that’s part of the game. It’s tough. We have to figure it out.
“We must play [with] a little bit more urgency on that end, especially, and kind of impose our will. Teams are doing a really good job of picking straight matchups and picking certain plays that they want.”
We have more from around the Pacific:
- Precious Achiuwa is embracing the opportunity to log most of his minutes at power forward with the Kings, he tells Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link). “This is how I’ve always played. All throughout high school, college. First couple years in the league in Toronto, that’s how I played. Mainly playing the four position, which is my natural position,” Achiuwa said. “And that’s how I had a lot of success my first year in New York. Just the ball is able to move around a lot better. Guys are able to play the game with a sense of freedom better. Well, for me at least, I would say a better sense of freedom. Instead of just being pigeonholed.”
- In addition to a right ankle sprain, star forward Kawhi Leonard is also battling a left knee contusion he suffered last weekend, according to the Clippers (Twitter link via Law Murray of The Athletic). Leonard, who missed Friday’s overtime win in Toronto, is considered day-to-day.
- Warriors forward Gui Santos will be sidelined for Saturday’s game against Charlotte after spraining his left ankle in the first quarter of Thursday’s win over New York, writes Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. It’s possible Santos, who has been a rotation regular of late, could miss additional time as well. “It’s a big loss,” head coach Steve Kerr said after Friday’s practice. “The energy, the offensive rebounding but also the size. When we go to him and Gary [Payton II] we’re generally playing him at the four next to Draymond [Green] at the five. He’s a rebounder, especially on the offensive side, and a great screener. But the size that he brings will be missed.”
Suns Notes: Brooks, Booker, Green, Bouyea
In a feature story for ESPN.com, Tim MacMahon details how veteran small forward Dillon Brooks helped reshape the cultures — and drive winning — in Houston and Phoenix after his unceremonious departure from Memphis in the 2023 offseason.
“I felt like a lot of people counted me out, thinking I was just going to wash away with the rest of NBA players that had their shine and then were not able to figure out how to evolve and be able to stay in this league,” Brooks said. “I didn’t want to fall off. I didn’t want to call it where I got to go either overseas or chill at home or change my whole career point. I love this game, and I play it because I really love it. I knew that I had to put in the work to be better every single day.”
Known for his relentless work ethic and fiery competitiveness, Brooks has had a positive two-way impact on the surprising Suns, who are currently 24-17 after finishing last season with a disappointing 36-46 record.
“He’s in the gym more than anybody that I know,” guard Collin Gillespie said. “You see how hard he works, how competitive he is, and you want to not let your teammate down when you see that. He makes you want to work harder. He challenges you to be in the gym with him, challenges you to play harder.
“You might not like it sometimes if he’s getting on you, but it makes you a better player for sure.”
Suns owner Mat Ishbia has been thrilled with Brooks’ toughness and intangibles on top of his play, according to MacMahon.
“He’s exactly the type of player [who fits] what we talk about here in Phoenix, what we want to be, the identity of the Suns,” Ishbia told ESPN. “He gets up more shots than everybody else before practice. He cares about winning. He plays defense, he plays offense, he’s a leader. He’s tough. He’s doing everything.
“We wanted Dillon. I envisioned him from a cultural perspective, a leadership perspective and an impact perspective at a really high level. He’s been even better than expected.”
Here’s more from Phoenix:
- Star guard Devin Booker is questionable for Saturday’s contest in New York due to the left ankle sprain that caused him to miss Thursday’s loss at Detroit, tweets Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Fellow guards Jalen Green (right hamstring strain) and Jamaree Bouyea (concussion) remain out.
- Although Green will be out again tomorrow, he’s inching closer to a return from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him for all but two games this season, Rankin writes in a full story. “He’s looking more and more confident,” center Mark Williams said. “He’s looking more and more comfortable. Whenever that time is for him, we’ll be excited.” Green’s return might force Gillespie, who has been starting, back to the bench, Rankin notes.
- Brooks says Green will provide a “big spark” for the Suns, according to Rankin, though he’s expected to be on a minutes restriction after a long layoff — he last played on November 8. Head coach Jordan Ott says the team will be cautious with Green, but the club is looking forward to having him back. “Full of talent, full of youthful energy we need,” Ott said. “His speed. His ability to attack off the dribble. We need him, but we need him healthy.”
Trade Rumors: MPJ, Kuminga, Raptors, Rockets, Clippers
Recent reporting from ESPN and The Athletic indicated that the Warriors haven’t engaged in any substantive talks with the Nets about Michael Porter Jr. Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area also hears Golden State has been “hesitant” to pursue Porter and suggests the team’s interest in the veteran forward has been overstated.
According to Johnson, if the Warriors do make a run at Porter, it would likely require a third team, as the Nets aren’t interested in Jonathan Kuminga.
However, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com has heard differently, citing sources who say the Warriors are not only interested in Porter but have “something brewing” in regard to the 27-year-old ahead of the February 5 trade deadline. As Afseth writes, Porter is having a career year in Brooklyn and scouts think he could help just about any team.
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- Both Johnson and Afseth confirm the Lakers are a team to watch for Kuminga, who demanded a trade on Thursday, the first day he was eligible to be moved. President of basketball operations Rob Pelinka likes Kuminga’s game, sources tell Johnson, and the Lakers think the 23-year-old would provide athleticism on the wing alongside Luka Doncic. Still, it’s unclear if the two Pacific Division rivals would make an in-season trade, Johnson notes.
- Although the Raptors have been described as a buyer heading into the deadline, Afseth’s sources refer to Toronto’s approach as being “opportunistic” in search of potential buy-low opportunities. That may be why the team has been linked to stars like Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis and Ja Morant, all of whom have dealt with significant health issues this season.
- Houston’s front office isn’t overreacting to the Rockets‘ recent struggles, writes Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports. Team sources tell Iko the Rockets have discussed trade concepts with approximately half the teams in the league, but no deals are imminent and they aren’t aggressively searching for upgrades. Opposing teams have checked in on the availability of Tari Eason, Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith, Iko adds.
- There was speculation that the Clippers might be a seller after a miserable start to the season, but now they’re considered a possible buyer after reeling off 11 wins in their past 13 games, per Afseth, with John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic viewed as potential trade candidates. Collins is on an expiring $26.6MM contract, while Bogdanovic earns $16MM this season with an identical team option for 2026/27.
Mavericks Rumors: Davis, Marshall, Gafford, Klay, Russell
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported a few days ago that Anthony Davis is still a trade candidate despite dealing with a hand injury that will keep him sidelined for at least six weeks. A subsequent report from his ESPN colleague Tim MacMahon stated that Davis’ agent Rich Paul hopes the 10-time All-Star is traded by the Mavericks prior to the February 5 deadline, but the team doesn’t feel any pressure to deal Davis just to move off his contract.
The Hawks and Raptors have been frequently linked to Davis, but neither team is close to trading for the 32-year-old big man, sources tell Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported earlier on Thursday that Atlanta isn’t operating with any urgency in the wake of Davis’ latest injury.
“The Mavericks’ leverage is materially worse after the hand injury,” one Western Conference executive told Afseth. “I don’t think [Davis] has much of a market.”
Here’s more from Afseth on the Mavericks:
- Forward Naji Marshall is having a career year with Dallas and has popped up in some trade rumors this winter. Confirming recent reporting from Marc Stein, Afseth says there’s a sense that Dallas prefers to hang on to Marshall rather than move him in the coming weeks. The 28-year-old wing is earning $9MM in 2025/26 and will make $9.4MM in ’26/27 before potentially becoming a free agent.
- Although Daniel Gafford has been repeatedly mentioned as one of the team’s top trade chips, his value seems to be diminishing because of health concerns, Afseth reports. The 27-year-old big man has missed 13 games this season due to a right ankle sprain he initially suffered on the first day of training camp and is doubtful for Saturday’s rematch with Utah, tweets Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. “If Gafford is healthy, he can help a team. I don’t think he’s been healthy all season,” one Eastern Conference scout told Dallas Hoops Journal. “That ankle has been a problem for months. It looks like he’s frequently playing through something. He doesn’t pop when you watch the Mavericks like he did last season.” No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg is also doubtful for tomorrow’s game with a left ankle sprain, Curtis adds.
- Veterans Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell are two other trade candidates for the Mavs, but neither player seems to have much of a market, sources tell Afseth. While one Eastern executive told Afseth he thinks Thompson can still contribute on a contending team, his contract — he’s earning $16.7MM this season and $17.5MM in 2026/27 — isn’t viewed positively. Russell, meanwhile, is shooting a career-low 29.5% from three-point range, has been out of the rotation for most of the past month, and holds a $6MM player option for ’26/27.
Pacers Notes: Missi, Mathurin, I. Jackson, Guy
The Pacers and Bulls are among the teams with interest in Pelicans center Yves Missi, sources tell Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com. Multiple reports have indicated that Indiana has inquired about the second-year big man.
According to Afseth, the Pacers are believed to have some traction in trade talks for Missi, with Bennedict Mathurin potentially heading to New Orleans. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported something similar on Thursday.
Here’s more on the Pacers:
- Speaking of Mathurin, head coach Rick Carlisle provided an update on the injured wing on Friday, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star (subscriber link). Carlisle said he went through a workout with Mathurin on Thursday and would do so again prior to Friday’s game against New Orleans. While the fourth-year guard/forward was out again Friday as he recovers from a right thumb sprain, Carlisle said Mathurin is “making a lot of progress” and there’s a chance he could return during the team’s five-game road trip, which begins Saturday in Detroit.
- Carlisle also gave an update on big man Isaiah Jackson, who has been sidelined since December 23 due to a concussion, Dopirak adds. Jackson has recovered from the head injury and is ramping up his conditioning after missing three-plus weeks. “He’s closer,” Carlisle said. “He’ll be on the trip. He’s doing well.”
- As Scott Agness reports in a pair of stories for Fieldhouse Files (Substack links), former NBA guard Kyle Guy has agreed to a buyout with the Pacers’ G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, after reaching a contract agreement to play in China. “We try to put our players in the best position possible,” Boom GM Chris Taylor told Agness. “Hopefully it’s an NBA call-up to compete at the highest level, but this is a heck of an opportunity — and 100% checks that box of helping him get to a better situation.” A former second-round pick, Guy briefly retired as a player in order to pursue coaching opportunities. The 28-year-old was leading Noblesville in points and assists per game, averaging 21.1 PPG, 7.6 APG, 4.1 RPG and 1.7 SPG on .450/.372/.714 shooting in 20 appearances (40.0 MPG).
Injury Notes: Garland, Merrill, Heat, Coulibaly, Pritchard
Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland has been ruled out of Friday’s game at Philadelphia due to right great toe soreness, tweets Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. As Fedor notes, Garland’s injury is not a recurrence of the toe ailment that required offseason surgery and has bothered him for several months — the injury is impacting a different toe on the opposite foot.
Cleveland will also be without sharpshooter Sam Merrill on Friday, per Fedor (Twitter link). Merrill is dealing with a right hand sprain, the same injury that caused him to miss 14 games earlier in the season. Both players were injured in Wednesday’s win in Philadelphia.
Here are a few more injury updates from around the NBA:
- The Heat will be down two key rotation members for Saturday’s game against Oklahoma City, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (Twitter links). Starting point guard Davion Mitchell will miss his second straight game with a left shoulder contusion, while sixth man Jaime Jaquez Jr. will be out for the second consecutive contest due to a left knee sprain. As Chiang writes for The Miami Herald, Jaquez underwent an MRI on Thursday which revealed irritation in his knee. Mitchell had not received an MRI as of Thursday. Guard Tyler Herro is questionable for tomorrow’s game due to contusions on his toe and rib.
- Forward Bilal Coulibaly, who exited Wednesday’s loss at the Clippers early due to a back injury, will miss the final two games of the Wizards‘ West Coast road trip with what the team is calling lower back stiffness, as Josh Robbins of The Athletic relays (via Twitter). Head coach Brian Keefe said the former lottery pick has returned to D.C. to receive treatment for his back.
- Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is doubtful to suit up for Saturday’s game at Atlanta due to left ankle soreness, per John Karalis of Sports Illustrated (Twitter link). Pritchard, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, has appeared in all 40 of Boston’s games thus far in 2025/26. Forward Josh Minott will miss his seventh straight contest due to a left ankle sprain, Karalis adds.
Hawks Sign Christian Koloko To Two-Way Contract
4:27 pm: Koloko’s two-way deal with Atlanta is official, the team confirmed in a press release.
3:35 pm: The Hawks intend to sign free agent center Christian Koloko to a two-way contract, reports Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter).
As our tracker shows, Atlanta currently has a two-way opening and won’t need to waive anyone in order to sign Koloko.
A 25-year-old big man, Koloko opened 2025/26 on a two-way contract with the Lakers, but was cut by Los Angeles near the end of November to make roster space for Drew Timme.
Koloko spent about a week with the G League’s Austin Spurs in mid-December and then signed a 10-day hardship contract with the Grizzlies on December 22. Memphis brought him back for a second 10-day deal, but opted not to sign him for the remainder of the season when that contract expired a few days ago.
Although Koloko played sparingly (six total minutes over two games) for the Lakers to open the season, he was a rotation regular during his 20 days with the Grizzlies, averaging 2.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks in 17.7 minutes per game across 11 appearances.
Koloko was selected No. 33 overall in the 2022 draft after three college seasons with Arizona. He showed some promise as a rookie with Toronto in 2022/23, but was forced to miss the entire ’23/24 season due to a blood clot issue which has since been resolved. Overall, the three-year veteran has played in 108 career NBA games, averaging 2.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG and 0.8 BPG in 12.5 MPG.
Domantas Sabonis Expected To Return Friday For Kings
January 16: Sabonis is expected to play on Friday, confirms Anthony Slater of ESPN.
January 15: Three-time All-Star center Domantas Sabonis was a full participant during Thursday’s practice and the Kings are optimistic he could return as soon as Friday’s game against Washington, reports Sean Cunningham of KCRA News (Twitter video link).
Sabonis will be listed as questionable for tomorrow’s contest vs. the Wizards, a league source tells James Ham of TheKingsBeat.com (Twitter link).
Sabonis, 29, has been out of action since November 16 due to a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. He has missed Sacramento’s last 27 games with the injury.
The Lithuanian big man has led the league in rebounds per game each of the past three seasons. In 11 games in 2025/26, Sabonis has averaged 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.2 minutes per contest.
The 11-30 Kings struggled mightily this season, but they’ve played better of late and are currently on their first three-game winning streak of the season. They’ve beaten three projected playoff teams — the Rockets, Lakers and Knicks — during the ongoing homestand, which wraps up next Wednesday against Toronto.
Sabonis’ name has popped up in several trade rumors this season with Sacramento near the bottom of the NBA’s standings — the Raptors have been the team most frequently linked to him. He’s on a lucrative long-term contract that runs through ’27/28.
Western Notes: Sengun, Booker, Horford, Cissoko, Love
Rockets center Alperen Sengun was expected to miss 10-to-14 days due to a right ankle sprain. However, he only ended up being sidelined for three games over seven days. Sengun admitted on Wednesday that he’s not fully healthy, tweets Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports.
“Still not 100 percent. It’s not going to be 100 percent for a while,” Sengun said. “But I’ve played through this all my life and I’m okay with it. Trying to get my treatment every day, feel as strong as I can be and go play.”
The Rockets have been in a slump lately, dropping four of their past five games, including a 20-point home loss to Oklahoma City on Thursday.
We have more from around the Western Conference:
- Suns guard Devin Booker missed Thursday’s loss in Detroit due to a left ankle sprain, but head coach Jordan Ott is optimistic he could return for Saturday’s game at New York, per The Associated Press. It was the four-time All-Star’s fourth absence of the season after he previously missed time due to a groin injury.
- Veteran big man Al Horford only spent one season with the Thunder, but he made a lasting impact on the organization, writes Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman (subscriber link). Horford also rebuilt his value in Oklahoma City after a disappointing season with Philadelphia. “He was one of the first vocal vets that I had been around,” Kenrich Williams told The Oklahoman. “He showed us how to prepare for games. He showed us how to stay ready. And when his number wasn’t called, he always was encouraging on the sideline. It’s kind of like what you see all the guys do today on the team. Even though there were only three (current) guys on that team, I feel like he played a big part in our success.”
- A pair of two-way players for the Trail Blazers are nearing their active games limits, according to Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report (Substack link). Assuming he’s active every game between now and then, forward Sidy Cissoko will reach his 50-game limit on February 11, Highkin writes, while guard Caleb Love is projected to hit his limit toward the end of February. Both players have made cases to be promoted to standard contracts after becoming rotation regulars amid a series of injuries, Highkin notes.