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Stephen Curry Expected To Miss Three More Games

December 3rd, 2025 at 8:09am CST by Luke Adams

Injured star Stephen Curry won’t travel with the Warriors as they embark on a three-game road trip that begins on Thursday in Philadelphia, head coach Steve Kerr told reporters on Tuesday night.

That means that in addition to missing Thursday’s game against the Sixers, Curry will be unavailable for a weekend back-to-back in Cleveland on Saturday and Chicago on Sunday. After that trip, Golden State will have four full days off before hosting the Timberwolves on December 12.

“It was a long shot for him to play in the back-to-back and we don’t play again until (next) Friday,” Kerr explained, per Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports Bay Area. “So it just makes perfect sense for him to stay home with (director of sports medicine and performance) Rick (Celebrini), get the rehab done here, get his work in and hopefully be ready for Minnesota next Friday.”

Curry exited last Wednesday’s loss to Houston with an injury that the Warriors later diagnosed as a quad contusion and muscle strain. He was initially ruled out for Saturday’s game against New Orleans and Tuesday’s matchup with the defending champion Thunder.

The Warriors beat the Pelicans over the weekend and put up a valiant effort on Tuesday against an Oklahoma City team that has been dominating the league this season, but couldn’t pull off the second-half comeback without Curry and star forward Jimmy Butler, who exited the game due to left knee soreness, as Anthony Slater of ESPN writes.

It’s unclear whether Butler, who was initially listed as questionable to play vs. OKC due to a glute contusion, will be available on Thursday vs. Philadelphia, Slater adds.

“I don’t know anything more,” Kerr said after the game when asked about Butler’s injury. “I didn’t even know (he was out) until I was drawing up a play with a minute to go (before the second half) and somebody came in the huddle and said Jimmy is down.”

The 11-11 Warriors, who have an overall net rating of +0.7 so far this season, are at +6.3 when Butler is on the court, +3.6 when Curry is playing, and +10.6 when they’re on the floor together.

Rockets Sign Tyler Smith To Two-Way Deal

December 2nd, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Luke Adams

10:00 pm: The Rockets have officially signed Smith and waived Harris, per NBA.com’s transaction log.

3:12 pm: The Rockets intend to sign free agent forward Tyler Smith to a two-way contract, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, who reports (via Twitter) that Houston will waive guard Kevon Harris in order to open up a roster spot for the newcomer.

Smith, 21, was the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 draft and spent his rookie season with the Bucks. However, he played a very limited role in Milwaukee, logging just 122 total minutes across 23 NBA appearances.

Smith played more regularly in the G League, averaging 25.1 minutes per contest across 25 outings for the Wisconsin Herd, but he didn’t put up big numbers for the Bucks’ NBAGL affiliate, averaging 10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game with a .415/.327/.824 shooting line.

The victim of a roster crunch in Milwaukee, Smith was waived by the Bucks in October and entered the G League draft, where he was selected second overall by the Osceola Magic. The 6’9″ forward was subsequently traded to the Capital City Go-Go, Washington’s affiliate, and has averaged 10.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 1.5 APG on .378/.243/.846 shooting through eight games for the Go-Go this fall.

Despite his underwhelming production in the G League, Smith still has enough value to earn a shot from the 13-5 Rockets, one of the NBA’s best teams so far this season. Smith is more likely to stay in the G League and join the Rio Grande Valley Vipers than to see regular playing time at the NBA level for Houston, but it’s worth noting that he could be active for up to 38 NBA games for the rest of the season.

Harris, 28, hadn’t played at all for the Rockets this season. A G League veteran, he made 34 total NBA appearances from 2022-24 while on two-way contracts with Orlando.

Zion Williamson Out At Least Three Weeks With Adductor Strain

December 2nd, 2025 at 3:48pm CST by Rory Maher

3:48 pm: The Pelicans put out a press release (via Twitter) confirming the news. According to the team, Williamson underwent imaging on Tuesday which revealed a Grade 2 right hip adductor strain. There’s no official timetable for his return.

3:12 pm: Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a right adductor injury and will miss at least three weeks, which is the next time he’ll be reexamined, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).

A two-time All-Star, Williamson has been plagued by injuries throughout his time in the NBA after being selected No. 1 overall out of Duke in the 2019 draft. This season has been no exception, as Williamson missed eight games last month with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain prior to his latest ailment.

According to Charania (Twitter link), Williamson has a strained adductor, which a muscle in the hip, and will be out an extended period of time — far longer than the two-plus weeks he missed with the hamstring strain.

It’s unclear when Williamson’s adductor injury occurred, but he last suited up on Saturday, when New Orleans lost at Golden State. Through 10 games in 2025/26, the 25-year-old has averaged 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals in 30.9 minutes per contest.

Williamson has been limited to 30 games or fewer in four of his first full six years in the NBA, including missing the entire 2021/22 campaign. He has dealt with a variety of different injuries throughout his career.

The Pelicans have once again been hit hard by injuries this fall, with their five highest-paid players — and seven total — all sidelined on Sunday. That figure includes Williamson, who was held out of the second night of a back-to-back — he makes the most money on the team on his maximum-salary contract.

New Orleans should qualify for a hardship exception in the wake of the injuries, depending on how long other players will be out (Dejounte Murray presumably isn’t close to returning after rupturing his Achilles at the end of January). Still, that’s of little consolation to a club that does not control its 2026 first-round pick and currently holds the worst record in the NBA at 3-18.

Nikola Jokic, Cade Cunningham Earn Player Of The Month Honors

December 2nd, 2025 at 2:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Pistons guard Cade Cunningham are the NBA’s Players of the Month for October/November, earning the honor for the Western and Eastern Conference, respectively, per an announcement from the league (Twitter link).

It’s the ninth time that Jokic has won a Player of the Month award over the course of his 11-year career. He earned it in this case with a superlative start to the season that saw him comfortably average a triple-double – 28.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 10.9 assists per game – while leading Denver to a 14-5 record.

Jokic’s shooting percentages were arguably even more remarkable than his per-game averages, as he shot 63.7% from the field and converted 45.3% of his three-point attempts.

The Nuggets star came out on top of a competitive field that included nominees like fellow MVP candidates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder and Luka Doncic of the Lakers. Clippers guard James Harden, Rockets center Alperen Sengun, Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, Lakers guard Austin Reaves, and Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards were also nominated for Player of the Month in the West, according to the NBA (Twitter link).

In the East, meanwhile, Cunningham’s Pistons have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the season’s first six weeks. While Detroit was viewed as a strong playoff contender, few NBA observers expected the team to win 16 of its first 20 games and sit atop the Eastern Conference at the end of November.

Cunningham was the driving force behind the Pistons’ hot start, averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 assists, and 6.4 rebounds in 36.8 minutes per game across 17 outings, while shooting 45.6% from the floor and 81.5% from the free throw line.

Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, Celtics wing Jaylen Brown, Bulls guard Josh Giddey, Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey, Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, Heat guard Norman Powell, Magic forward Franz Wagner, and Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were also nominated for Eastern Conference Player of the Month, which Cunningham won for the first time in his career.

Warriors Sign LJ Cryer, Waive Jackson Rowe

December 2nd, 2025 at 12:24pm CST by Rory Maher

December 2, 12:24 pm: Cryer’s two-way contract with the Warriors is now official, according to the team (Twitter link).

December 1, 5:12 pm: Rowe has been released, the Warriors announced (Twitter link).

December 1, 4:42 pm: The Warriors plan to waive second-year forward Jackson Rowe, who is signed to a two-way contract, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line (via Twitter).

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link), the Warriors will sign free agent guard LJ Cryer to fill Rowe’s two-way spot — the former Baylor and Houston standout spent training camp and the preseason with the Warriors prior to being released in October.

The 24-year-old also played with the Warriors’ Summer League club after going undrafted in June, averaging 9.2 points and 2.8 assists on .500/.421/.833 shooting in four appearances (18.1 minutes per game). He averaged 5.0 PPG in 9.6 MPG during the preseason.

Cryer, a 6’0″ point guard, had a decorated college career and has put up impressive statistics with Santa Cruz during the Tip-Off Tournament this fall, averaging 24.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds on .444/.414/.867 shooting in seven games (34.1 minutes per contest). He’s attempting 12.4 threes per game and making 5.1 of them — eye-popping numbers.

Rowe, 28, went undrafted in 2020 after four years at Cal State Fullerton. The Toronto native spent his first four post-college seasons playing in France, Sweden, Canada, Germany, and the NBA G League prior to signing an Exhibit 10 deal with Golden State in July 2024.

A 6’6″ forward, Rowe was initially waived by the Warriors before the 2024/25 season began, opening that campaign in the G League with their affiliate team in Santa Cruz. He signed a two-year two-way contract with Golden State in January, appearing in six NBA games last season while averaging 3.7 points and 1.8 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per night. He didn’t play in any NBA games this season for the Warriors.

Rowe has performed well for Santa Cruz the past few seasons, which is how he earned his promotion last season. In 36 games in ’24/25 (33.0 MPG), he averaged 16.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.8 APG and 1.3 SPG on .515/.391/.681 shooting. Through five games this fall, he’s averaging 13.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.0 APG and 1.4 SPG, though his three-point percentage dropped (23.8%) in a small sample size (5-for-21).

Danilo Gallinari Announces Retirement

December 2nd, 2025 at 10:13am CST by Luke Adams

Longtime NBA forward Danilo Gallinari has announced his retirement from professional basketball, confirming the decision in a social media post (Instagram link).

“Today, with a heart full of gratitude, I am announcing my retirement from a career I’ve always dreamed of,” Gallinari wrote. “A career built through hard work, sacrifice, victories, defeats, teammates who became brothers, guidance from my coaches, and, of course, family and friends that were with me every step of the way.

“It’s been an incredible journey filled with countless memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. To those who believed in me, to all those who supported me, and to those who shared every moment with me – thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

“I’m beyond excited for the next chapter!”

Gallinari, 37, was the sixth overall pick in the 2008 draft. The 6’10” Italian forward began his NBA career with the Knicks before being sent to Denver in the blockbuster 2011 trade that landed Carmelo Anthony in New York. Most of the best years of his career came with the Nuggets, though he later played for the Clippers, Thunder, Hawks, Wizards, Pistons, and Bucks too.

In 777 total regular season games, Gallinari averaged 14.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 28.8 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .428/.381/.876. His ability to stretch the floor from the power forward position was his calling card — he knocked down 1,456 three-pointers over the course of his career, which currently ranks 61st on the NBA’s all-time list.

Gallinari spent 16 seasons in the NBA – including two full years that he missed due to ACL injuries – and last played in the league in 2023/24. He subsequently suited up for the Puerto Rican team Vaqueros de Bayamón last season and represented Italy in one final international competition at this year’s EuroBasket.

The veteran forward spoke earlier this year about the possibility of signing one more NBA contract or possibly returning to the EuroLeague, but he has decided to call it a career instead.

Devin Booker, Jamal Murray Exit Monday’s Games With Injuries

December 1st, 2025 at 10:26pm CST by Rory Maher

A pair of star players were injured during separate games on Monday, with Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray exiting an eventual loss to Dallas with a right ankle sprain, while Suns shooting guard Devin Booker sustained a right groin injury in the road contest at the Lakers (Twitter links via the Nuggets and Dave McMenamin of ESPN).

Murray, who is a candidate to make his first All-Star appearance this season, was deemed questionable to return Monday but didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets were up two points entering the final frame and wound up losing by 10 without their second-leading scorer.

It’s unclear if Murray will miss additional time with his ankle injury. Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. will likely receive more minutes if the Canadian guard is ruled out of future games.

Denver is fairly banged up right now, with starters Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun out multiple weeks due to their own injuries and third-year wing Julian Strawther continuing to miss time with a back issue.

As for Booker, he was ruled out at halftime of the game in Los Angeles. According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link), all the Suns know so far is the four-time All-Star experienced soreness in his groin.

Phoenix’s all-time leading scorer has yet to miss a game in 2025/26 after making 75 appearances last season. Through 21 games, the 29-year-old is averaging team highs of 25.7 points and 6.9 assists while also contributing 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 steal per night.

Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, and Jamaree Bouyea are among the Suns who could take on additional play-making duties with Booker out at least the remainder of Monday’s game.

The Suns are also shorthanded, as Jalen Green continues to be sidelined with a hamstring strain he has aggravated multiple times. Second-year forward Ryan Dunn did return to action on Monday after missing the past five games with a sprained right wrist, though Grayson Allen was ruled out with an illness.

Pacers Re-Sign Garrison Mathews To Second 10-Day Deal

December 1st, 2025 at 4:00pm CST by Rory Maher

4:00 pm: Mathews’ new 10-day contract is official, the Pacers confirmed in a press release.

3:25 pm: The Pacers have been granted another hardship exception and will use it to re-sign sharpshooter Garrison Mathews to a second 10-day contract, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (via Twitter).

Hardship exceptions are granted when at least four players have missed three or more consecutive games and are projected to be out for at least two more weeks. Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Obi Toppin (foot), Aaron Nesmith (knee), and Kam Jones (back) all appear to fit that bill for Indiana.

Mathews, who is in his seventh NBA season, starred in college at Lipscomb prior to going undrafted in 2019. He has played for Washington, Houston, Atlanta and now Indiana during his time in the league.

The 29-year-old wing signed a non-guaranteed camp deal with the Knicks earlier this fall but was released before the season began, making him a free agent. In 319 career games (17.3 minutes per contest), Mathews has averaged 6.4 points and 1.7 rebounds while shooting 38.0% from long distance.

In five games with the Pacers so far in 2025/26, Mathews has played a modest role, averaging 9.2 MPG and converting 2-of-13 shots from three-point range. It’s worth noting that players cannot sign three 10-day contracts with the same team — Indiana would have to release someone if it wanted to retain Mathews beyond his second 10-day deal.

Mathews will earn $165,197 over the course of his 10 days with the Pacers, while the team takes on a cap hit of $131,970.

Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson Named Players Of Week

December 1st, 2025 at 2:50pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Lakers guard Luka Doncic and Knicks guard Jalen Brunson have been named the Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week, respectively, according to the NBA (Twitter links).

Doncic led the Lakers to three wins during the week of November 24-30 while averaging 37.3 points, 10.3 assists and 8.7 rebounds per contest. Those performances, which included a 43-point outburst against the Clippers, increased his league-leading scoring average to 35.1 points per game.

Brunson lifted the Knicks to four wins by averaging 28.8 points and 4.5 assists per game while knocking down 40.7 percent of his three-point attempts. He matched his season high on Friday by racking up 37 points against Milwaukee.

Doncic and Brunson, of course, were backcourt partners in Dallas. Brunson has earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors seven times since joining the Knicks, while this is the first time Doncic has achieved the feat since becoming a Laker.

The other nominees in the West were Zach Edey (Grizzlies), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Jamal Murray (Nuggets) and Austin Reaves (Lakers).

Desmond Bane (Magic), Jaylen Brown (Celtics), Tyler Herro (Heat), Jalen Johnson (Hawks) and Pascal Siakam (Pacers) were also nominated in the East.

Seth Curry Rejoins Warriors On One-Year Deal

December 1st, 2025 at 12:35pm CST by Eli Cohen

December 1: Seth Curry has officially signed with the Warriors, according to a team press release.

November 30: Free agent guard Seth Curry plans to re-sign with the Warriors on Monday on a deal that will cover the rest of the 2025/26 season, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania (via Twitter).

After spending training camp with Golden State, Curry was waived in mid-October as the team made its final cuts for the regular season roster, mostly because his veteran’s minimum salary couldn’t fit under a second-apron hard cap.

Reporting at that time suggested Curry was expected to rejoin the Warriors eventually, but the club had to wait until at least November 11 in order to squeeze his prorated minimum-salary contract below the hard cap.

Waiting an extra few weeks to bring him back will create some extra breathing room for Golden State. Assuming he signs on Monday, as planned, Curry’s rest-of-season cap hit will be $1,755,198, leaving the Warriors roughly $264K below their hard cap. He’ll earn a salary of $2,777,830 if he finishes out the season with the club.

Curry, an 11-year veteran, played last season for the Hornets, leading the league in three-point percentage at 45.6% on 182 total attempts. A 6’1″ three-point specialist, he holds lifetime averages of 10.0 points per game on 43.3% shooting from deep.

This will be the first time that Seth and his brother, Stephen Curry, play on the same NBA team during the regular season.