Ja Morant Out At Least Two Weeks Due To Calf Strain
Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has a Grade 1 right calf strain and will be reevaluated in two weeks, the team’s PR department tweets.
Morant injured his calf on Saturday during the team’s road game at Cleveland. He played just six minutes in that contest, then underwent an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.
It’s just the latest development in what has already been a tumultuous season for Morant. He had been dealing with right ankle soreness prior to the calf strain.
Trade speculation surrounding Morant began a couple of weeks ago after he had a disagreement with the coaching staff during a loss to the Lakers. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo reportedly confronted Morant about his effort level and focus during halftime and following the game, and Morant expressed frustration over Iisalo’s unorthodox substitution pattern.
The situation has been calmer since Morant returned from a one-game team suspension. The Timberwolves are one of the teams reportedly keeping an eye on Morant, who is in the third season of a five-year extension worth $197.2MM. He’s averaging 17.9 points, his lowest output since his rookie year, and 7.6 assists.
Morant has gained a reputation of being susceptible to injuries. He hasn’t appeared in more than 61 games in any of the past four seasons. He served an NBA suspension to open the 2023/24 campaign, then appeared in only nine games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. He was limited to 50 games last season.
Given the timeline of his last injury, Morant will miss a minimum of eight games, beginning with a nationally televised game against San Antonio on Tuesday.
Paul George Expected To Make Season Debut Monday
Nov. 17: George is expected to make his season debut tonight, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets.
Nov. 16: Paul George has been upgraded to questionable for the Sixers‘ game against the Clippers on Monday, relays Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports (via Twitter).
George has missed the team’s first 12 games as he looks to return from offseason knee surgery, and this marks the first time he has been listed as questionable.
Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports reported earlier in the day that George was a full participant in the Sixers’ Sunday practice, as was Joel Embiid.
George, in his 16th year, is looking to bounce back from his least productive season since 2011/12, his first with the Sixers. He averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on .430/.358/.814 shooting splits in ’24/25.
The Sixers have gone 7-5 in George’s absence, despite Embiid appearing in just six games. Trendon Watford, who was a limited participant in today’s practice, is among the players who has filled in for George — Watford has started the past four games and is averaging 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per contest.
Anthony Davis To Be Re-Evaluated In 7-10 Days
Anthony Davis will remain out for at least the next week due to his left calf strain, the Mavericks announced (via Twitter).
The team stated that the latest reevaluation of Davis’ injury showed good progress, but that he will be examined again in seven-to-10 days, with further updates to come.
“He wants to play. He’s doing everything to get back,” head coach Jason Kidd said, per Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter). “For AD, I’m not trying to speak for him but he wants to be out there to help us. but this gives him seven-to-10 days to get better, and hopefully in seven-to-10 days he’s back on the floor.”
Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont has reportedly been involved in the decision-making process on Davis’ return timeline, having pushed for a cautious approach in order to reduce the risk of aggravating the injury or making it worse.
Davis has appeared in five games for the Mavs this season, during which time Dallas went 2-3. He is averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per night.
Davis has missed the last eight games after leaving the team’s October 29 win against the Pacers after six minutes of play. The Mavs currently hold the fifth-worst record in the league at 3-10.
Grizzlies Sign Mashack To Two-Way Deal, Waive Hall
The Grizzlies have signed Jahmai Mashack to a two-way contract, the team announced in a press release (Twitter link). In a related move, second-year big man PJ Hall has been waived.
Agent Adie von Gontard informed ESPN’s Shams Charania of Mashack’s promotion (via Twitter) prior to the official confirmation from the Grizzlies.
Mashack, who was acquired by the Grizzlies after he was selected 59th overall in June’s draft, opened the season with the team’s G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. He was essentially a domestic draft-and-stash player, not a free agent, as his NBA rights were still controlled by the Grizzlies.
The 23-year-old guard, who played four seasons of college ball at Tennessee, impressed during a five-game Summer League showing, averaging 9.0 points, 4.4 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks in 23.7 minutes per contest (.462/.417/.600 shooting line).
In five games (31.3 MPG) with the Hustle this fall, Mashack has averaged 7.6 PPG, 5.4 APG, 4.4 RPG and 3.4 SPG, though he has struggled with efficiency (.354/.143/.500 shooting line) and turnovers (3.6).
In a recent interview with Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (subscription required), Mashack said he’s been working to improve his offensive game with the Hustle. Known for his defense, Mashack wasn’t asked to score or handle the ball much during his time with the Volunteers.
“Being able to have that gravity to be able to score the ball and also get my guys open,” he said. “I feel like it’s not a lot of guys in the NBA that can do both at an elite level, and that’s what I want to be able to do. Me being able to do that can help the team as a whole for the G League and for the (NBA) squad.”
Mashack will provide backcourt depth for the Grizzlies, who have been decimated by point guard injuries this fall. Scotty Pippen Jr. is out multiple months after undergoing toe surgery, Ty Jerome has yet to make his season debut after suffering a calf strain in the preseason, rookie guard Javon Small is out at least three weeks with a turf toe injury, and Ja Morant exited Saturday’s game with a sore calf.
As for Hall, the former Clemson star spent his rookie season on a two-way deal with Denver before catching on with Memphis over the summer. The 23-year-old had a limited role with the Grizzlies, averaging 1.9 PPG and 1.3 RPG across seven appearances (3.9 MPG).
Bulls’ Coby White To Make Season Debut Sunday
Bulls guard Coby White is on track to make his season debut on Sunday in Utah, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).
The Bulls have confirmed that White will play Sunday, tweets K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network, but he will be held out of Monday’s back-to-back. “I’m excited to get back and play the game I love,” White said (Twitter link via Johnson).
The 25-year-old combo guard suffered a right calf strain in mid-August and then experienced a setback during the preseason when he was working to prepare for the regular season opener. The Bulls have gone 6-5 so far in 2025/26 without White, who averaged 20.4 points, 4.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 74 games last season (33.1 minutes per contest).
White and Josh Giddey (right ankle sprain) were both full participants in Friday’s and Saturday’s practices, including doing contact drills. White said after Friday’s session that he expects to be on a restriction of approximately 24 minutes per game when he returns.
Giddey, who has missed the past two games, is probable to suit up tonight, notes Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic (via Twitter). Fellow guard Tre Jones is questionable with a left ankle impingement.
White is on track to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and while he isn’t expected to sign an extension with the Bulls before then due to the limitations on what they can offer him, the two sides have reportedly stayed on good terms and both hope to get a deal done in 2026.
OG Anunoby Out At Least Two Weeks With Left Hamstring Strain
November 16: Anunoby will miss at least two weeks, which is when he’ll be reevaluated, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
November 14: Knicks forward OG Anunoby sustained a left hamstring strain in the first quarter of Friday’s game against Miami and will not return, the team announced (via Twitter).
According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Twitter link), Anunoby appeared to suffer the injury while on a fast break. The 28-year-old grabbed at his hamstring after missing a layup and quickly exited the game.
Jordan Clarkson started the second half in Anunoby’s stead, tweets Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
While it’s unclear how much time Anunoby will miss, it seems somewhat ominous that he was diagnosed with a hamstring strain so soon after the injury occurred; typically, teams initially refer to soft tissue injuries as tightness or soreness rather than strains.
Anunoby, a one-time All-Defensive honoree, was off to an impressive start to the 2025/26 season, averaging 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals through 11 games (33.5 minutes per contest). His shooting line over that span was .483/.397/.760.
Josh Hart, Landry Shamet and Clarkson are all candidates for more playing time with Anunoby out.
Star guard Jalen Brunson was out Friday as well after suffering a Grade 1 right ankle sprain late in Wednesday’s loss to Orlando. Head coach Mike Brown had a simple explanation for why Brunson was still playing with New York down 16 points with 1:54 remaining in the fourth quarter, as Peter Sblendorio of The New York Daily News relays.
“I’ve been a part of some crazy, crazy comebacks,” Brown said before Friday’s game. “I’m trying to win the game. A couple minutes left. A stop and two threes, and it’s a two-possession game. That’s all I was trying to do, is win the game.”
Miles McBride got the starting nod on Friday with Brunson sidelined.
KJ Martin To Sign With Chinese Team
Free agent forward KJ Martin plans to sign with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association, a source tells Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (story via Dario Skerletic).
The 52nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, Martin had spent the past five years in the NBA prior to being released by the Jazz in late September. His $8MM contract for 2025/26 was fully non-guaranteed.
A 6’6″ combo forward, Martin has appeared in 309 career NBA games, including 77 starts. He holds averages of 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in 21.6 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .545/.329/.673.
Martin spent his first three seasons in Houston prior to being sent to the Clippers in the 2023 offseason. His stint with Los Angeles was brief, as he was rerouted to Philadelphia in the James Harden trade a few months later.
The 24-year-old, who missed about six weeks of action last season due to a foot injury, split the 2024/25 campaign with the Sixers and Jazz, averaging 6.4 PPG and 2.9 RPG in 43 games (21.2 MPG). Philadelphia technically traded him to Detroit prior to the February deadline, but he was immediately flipped to Utah as part of the Jimmy Butler blockbuster.
Known for his energy and athleticism, Martin was unable to find another NBA team after being cut by the Jazz this fall. This will be the first overseas stint for the son of former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin.
Marcus Smart Says Grizzlies’ Downturn Was Predictable
Marcus Smart‘s disappointing year-and-a-half with the Grizzlies ended with a trade to Washington in February, and he’s not surprised by the chaos the franchise has undergone since he left. In an interview with Josue Pavon of ClutchPoints, Smart said there were clear indications that a breakdown was coming.
“Way better. You see what’s going on now,” Smart said. “That started with me. I came back from injury, and I got traded because they said I didn’t want to be there. I’m injured. What do you mean, I don’t want to be here? I’m here every day working my ass off, cheering. I’m the only one on the bench coaching, but you know how it is. Control what you can control.”
Smart only appeared in 19 games with the Grizzlies last year — and 39 total during his time with the franchise — before being shipped to the Wizards. A few weeks after he left, the team fired head coach Taylor Jenkins with nine games left in the regular season, replacing him with assistant Tuomas Iisalo, and was swept out of the playoffs in the first round.
This season is off to a disastrous start as Memphis fell to 4-10 after losing Saturday in Cleveland. Iisalo’s unorthodox substitution patterns haven’t been popular with players, and they led to a rift with star guard Ja Morant that resulted in a one-game suspension.
Although his time in Memphis didn’t work out well, Smart stated that he doesn’t harbor any animosity toward the organization.
“I wish nothing but the best for them. Those guys — they work their ass off,” he added. “But you could definitely see this coming, and now, this is what you get.”
The Grizzlies were among the top teams in the West for most of last season and were still in the race to host a playoff series when Jenkins was dismissed. However, they stumbled down the stretch and finished as the No. 8 seed, which required them to go through the play-in tournament. They lost to Golden State before beating Dallas to claim the West’s final playoff spot.
Smart said there were plenty of warning signs before he was traded that things were about to go badly.
“You could see it. Even when I was there, me and (current Lakers teammate) Jake (LaRavia),” he said. “You could see just how they were handling things, going about things. And it’s unfortunate — you’ve got some good talent over there. It’s unfortunate. Hopefully, they can get it together.”
Aaron Nesmith Projected To Miss Four Weeks With Sprained Knee
After saying the Pacers appeared to have “dodged a bullet” when Aaron Nesmith was injured on Thursday, coach Rick Carlisle told reporters tonight that his small forward is expected to miss four weeks, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.
Nesmith has been diagnosed with a sprained left knee, and he and the team are grateful that there was no ligament damage, Carlisle added.
“It’s likely going to be at least four weeks, so talk to me on the 15th (of December),” Carlisle said in his pregame press conference. “But it’s very good news. Very, very good news. He’s not in a brace. He’s walking. I say it’s likely going to be four weeks, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be less. It’s unclear at this time, but he’s doing very well and the news was very, very good.”
As Dopirak details, Nesmith injured the knee when his right foot came down on teammate Jeremiah Robinson-Earl‘s left foot. Nesmith’s right leg slid after the collision, causing his left knee to buckle. He rolled off the floor and had to be helped to the locker room.
Nesmith played a crucial role in Indiana’s run to the NBA Finals last season and has been asked to carry more of the scoring load as the Pacers have been decimated by injuries during a 1-11 start. He’s averaging a career-high 15.5 PPG through 11 games, but his shooting numbers have declined sharply to 36.7% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range.
Carlisle offered some encouraging injury news on Saturday as Bennedict Mathurin is nearing a return from a right great toe sprain. Mathurin scored 36 and 26 points in the first two games of the season before being sidelined.
“He’s getting close,” Carlisle said. “We did a simulated game kind of workout this morning. He went through things in prep today. He’s moving in a good direction.”
Lakers Among Several Teams Ordered To Turn Over Cell Phones In Gambling Probe
As part of its investigation into illegal gambling, the NBA has asked several teams, including the Lakers, to turn over documents and other items, six league sources tell Joe Vardon, Mike Vorkunov and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Prodded by Congress, the league is conducting a probe related to the federal charges brought last month against Heat guard Terry Rozier, Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former player Damon Jones, who previously served as LeBron James‘ shooting coach and had access to inside information on the Lakers.
The investigation is being handled by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, which has been contacting teams for access to cell phones, according to the authors. League sources tell them that Lakers assistant trainer Mike Mancias and executive administrator Randy Mims are already cooperating with the investigation and voluntarily turned over their phones.
Vardon, Vorkunov and Amick point out that Mancias has served as James’ personal trainer for the past two decades and Mims has been James’ close friend since high school. Their connections to Jones are expected to be further explored as part of the investigation.
“The NBA engaged an independent law firm to investigate the allegations in the indictment once it was made public,” a league spokesman told The Athletic. “As is standard in these kinds of investigations, a number of different individuals and organizations were asked to preserve documents and records. Everyone has been fully cooperative.”
The authors point out that James, Mancias and Mims haven’t been charged with anything and haven’t been directly named in any charging document. However, their relationship with Jones could be significant, as he’s being accused of selling private injury information to gamblers regarding two Lakers players.
Jones entered a not guilty plea at a federal courthouse in Brooklyn on November 6. The government is accusing him of twice selling information to bettors regarding the injury status of two Lakers stars. The case alleges that Jones found out on the morning of February 9, 2023, that “Player 3” wouldn’t be active that night against Milwaukee and relayed that information to another person, whom he told to place a “big bet” on the Bucks. The authors note that James didn’t play that night.
A similar incident took place for a January 15, 2024, game against Oklahoma City, according to the government’s case.
League sources also tell Vardon, Vorkunov and Amick that at least two executives with teams mentioned in the charges against Jones and Rozier received notice from the league about an expanding investigation.
The authors state that the government also alleges that a “regularly starting player” with the Magic told a gambler that the team planned to rest its starters during an April 2023 game against Cleveland, and that information was sold to other bettors. A league source tells the authors that Orlando officials haven’t been contacted by the Department of Justice and the player in question is no longer with the team.
Illegal bets were placed against Portland with information supplied to gamblers by a coach matching Billups’ description, according to the government, but Billups has only been charged with participating in illegal poker games.
Sources tell the authors that the NBA is in the process of adopting stricter rules for teams to follow in reporting the status of injured players.