Grizzlies’ Ja Morant To Return Following Eight-Game Absence
Star point guard Ja Morant will be activated on Monday by the Grizzlies against Portland, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link).
Morant has been out since November 6, having missed Memphis’ past eight games due to what the team referred to as a posterior hip subluxation (without dislocation) along with multiple associated Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains. He suffered the injury when he fell awkwardly to the court after trying to catch an alley-oop pass.
Morant spent some time on crutches after initially suffering the injury, but was determined to “attack” the rehab process and return as quickly as the team would allow him to after he got off those crutches, as Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal writes.
“I had to be smart, cautious, but also, I hate being off the floor,” Morant said.
Veteran guard Marcus Smart is also off the injury report after missing the past four games due to an illness. He explained to reporters, including Cole, that he had a case of food poisoning that seriously affected his conditioning.
The Grizzlies have held their own without two of their top guards, going 5-3 since Morant went down. The emergence of reserve point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. has been crucial for the team.
Pippen has averaged 13.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game across eight outings as a starter, making 47.1% of his shots from the floor and 35.7% from beyond the arc. He set a new career with 30 points in Saturday’s victory in Chicago and figures to continue playing a regular role even with Morant and Smart back in action.
Morant is one of several stars returning from an injury this week. As we relayed earlier today, Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis is set to make his season debut on Monday, Suns forward Kevin Durant and guard Bradley Beal are expected to return on Tuesday from calf strains, and Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray is on track to play on Wednesday for the first time since opening night.
Suns’ Durant, Beal On Track To Return Tuesday
Injured Suns stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal intend to return to Phoenix’s lineup on Tuesday when the team faces the Lakers in an NBA Cup matchup, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Durant and Beal have both been sidelined due to left calf strains. Durant last played on November 8, having missed the Suns’ past seven games, while Beal has been out since Nov. 12 and has been inactive for the club’s past five contests. Reporting on Friday indicated that both players were full participants in practice and were targeting Tuesday for their respective returns.
The Suns won eight of their first nine games this season with Durant in the lineup and the star forward playing at his usual All-NBA level, averaging 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.4 blocks per night with an excellent shooting line of .553/.429/.836.
However, Phoenix has lost six of seven games with Durant on the shelf, including all five since Beal went down. The Suns are still firmly in the midst of the Western Conference playoff race at 9-7, but the hope is that having all three of their stars – Durant, Beal, and Devin Booker – back in the lineup will help fuel another hot streak.
Tuesday’s game against the Lakers is the third in a six-game home stand — the Suns will host the Nets on Wednesday, the Warriors on Saturday, and the Spurs on Tuesday before heading back out on the road to New Orleans, Miami, and Orlando.
The Suns will have to win on Tuesday if they hope to advance to the knockout round of the NBA Cup. They’re 1-1 in the in-season tournament so far, while the 2-0 Lakers are the only undefeated team in West Group B. A win tomorrow would give Phoenix the tiebreaker edge over L.A.
Central Notes: Jerome, Ivey, Brown, Bulls
It’s still early in the season, but to this point, perhaps no player has boosted his stock ahead of 2025 free agency more than Ty Jerome.
After signing a two-year, minimum-salary deal with the Cavaliers in 2023, Jerome was limited to just two games last season due to an ankle injury. But the 27-year-old guard has had a remarkable start to the ’24/25 campaign, averaging 12.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in just 19.0 minutes per game through 18 outings. He’s posting a ridiculous shooting line of .597/.544/.879, for league-leading true shooting percentage of .736.
As Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes, as absurd as it might sound on the surface, considering the Cavs have three former All-Stars and a former Defensive Player of the Year runner-up all playing at a high level, there’s an argument to be made that Jerome has been the team’s early-season MVP, especially from an expectations standpoint. He ranks just 10th on the roster in minutes per game, but he has played exceptionally well when on the court.
Over the past four games alone, Jerome has set new career highs in points (29), field-goals made (10), three-pointers made (seven) and steals (four). He also tied his career-best mark with eight assists. The former Virginia star is averaging 22.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 5.0 APG and 1.3 SPG on .604/.556/1.000 shooting over that span (27.9 MPG), which is easily the best four-game stretch of his six-year NBA career.
Here’s more from the Central Division:
- Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, who will be eligible for a rookie scale extension next offseason, certainly isn’t lacking for confidence. The 22-year-old believes that he and Cade Cunningham have a chance to be a world-class backcourt. “The potential is limitless. Cade is an All-Star and will be one of the best players in this league,” Ivey told Grant Afseth of Sportskeeda. “Our ability to share the floor has been special from day one. I believe we have the talent to be one of the best backcourts ever.”
- Journeyman center Moses Brown, who signed a non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract with Indiana last week amid season-ending Achilles injuries to James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson, gave the Pacers a major boost in Sunday’s victory over Washington, per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. After Myles Turner picked up a couple of quick fouls in the first quarter, head coach Rick Carlisle put in Brown, who responded by scoring Indiana’s first eight points. He finished with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, four rebounds and a block in 12-plus minutes. “He’s gotta rebound, run, be a great screen setter, roller and execute coverages to the best of his availability,” Carlisle said. “We play a different defensive system than he’s played in the past but he’s working at adapting. He’s a great kid. He really appreciates this opportunity. This was heart-warming to see.”
- Are fans losing interest in the Bulls‘ new up-tempo playing style, which has seen the team give up at least 135 points in four of their last 10 games? Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune ponders that question, noting that the coaching staff and players are preaching patience despite acknowledging a slim margin for error defensively.
Rockets’ Fred VanVleet Fined $50K By NBA
Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet has been fined $50K for “confronting and directing profane language” toward the referees in Saturday’s loss to Portland, the NBA announced today in a press release (Twitter link).
Upset about the officiating in the game, VanVleet committed a frustration foul with just over four seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the Rockets trailing by five points.
He then yelled “you suck” toward each of the game’s three referees before walking over to official John Conley, and jabbing a finger toward his face while directing a profane insult toward him (Bluesky video link). VanVleet was immediately assessed with a technical foul and ejected from the game.
If VanVleet had made contact with Conley, he almost certainly would’ve been facing a suspension. He still got off relatively lightly, given that this isn’t his first fine for an incident with officials. In March 2023, the veteran guard singled out and ripped referee Ben Taylor at length during a post-game press conference, earning a $30K fine.
At the time VanVleet received that $30K penalty, the maximum fine the NBA could have levied was $50K. That maximum has increased to $100K under the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, so the league could have gone higher in this case.
Pelicans’ Dejounte Murray Plans To Return Wednesday
Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray intends to return to action on Wednesday vs. Toronto, sources tell NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link).
Murray was the first of several Pelicans regulars to sustain an in-season injury, going down on opening night with a fractured left hand. The 28-year-old was the club’s most significant offseason addition, with the Pelicans sending Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., and a pair of future first-round picks to Atlanta as part of a package for an impact player they envisioned as their starting point guard.
Murray looked good in that role on October 23, nearly registering a triple-double (14 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds) in 30 minutes of action in the team’s season-opening win over the Bulls. However, he hasn’t played since then, and New Orleans has also seen Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, Jose Alvarado, and Jordan Hawkins sidelined with multi-week injuries.
The Pelicans have lost 13 of 15 games since winning their first two of the season. They’re running out of time to turn things around in a competitive Western Conference and are expected to be without Williamson and Alvarado for a while yet, but there are reinforcements coming in the backcourt.
While Murray is officially listed as out for Monday’s contest vs. Indiana (Twitter link), his backcourt mate McCollum is probable, indicating he’s likely to return after missing the past 13 games with a right adductor strain. Murray appears on track to rejoin him in the starting lineup two days later.
Brandon Ingram is questionable for Monday’s game with right calf soreness.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Kristaps Porzingis To Make Season Debut Monday
Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis intends to make his season debut Monday evening vs. the Clippers, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). The Latvian big man is officially listed as probable for the contest, per the team (Twitter link).
Porzingis’ 2024/25 debut was delayed by a left leg injury he sustained during the NBA Finals last season. He underwent surgery in late June and was expected to miss approximately five-to-six months, so he’s right on track from a recovery standpoint — perhaps even a little ahead of schedule.
A one-time All-Star, Porzingis was doing full-court one-on-five work with assistant coaches a couple weeks ago and then was assigned to Boston’s G League affiliate in Maine last Monday to get some practice reps in. Evidently everything went smoothly, as he plans to return tonight vs. L.A.
Although Porzingis is likely to play Monday, the Celtics will probably be without a couple other frontcourt players in Al Horford (illness) and Luke Kornet (left hamstring tightness), who are both listed as doubtful.
Given Porzingis’ lengthy injury history, Boston will almost certainly be cautious with the 29-year-old, at least until he’s back in playing shape. I’d expect him to be on a minutes restriction for the next handful of games, at minimum.
The defending champions haven’t skipped a beat to open the season, with the Celtics currently holding a 14-3 record, the second-best mark in the NBA.
Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram Leaving Excel Sports Management
Just days after Zion Williamson decided to part ways with his representatives at CAA, a second Pelicans star is also switching agencies. Sources tell Will Guillory and Kelly Iko of The Athletic that Brandon Ingram is leaving Excel Sports Management (Twitter link).
Both RealGM and HoopsHype had Ingram’s agents listed as Jeff Schwartz and Jordan Gertler. It’s not yet known which agency Ingram will be joining, but he’ll have to wait 15 days before he can hire new representation.
It’s certainly an interesting development, as the former All-Star forward is set to hit unrestricted free agency in 2025. Ingram was reportedly seeking a maximum-salary extension over the offseason, which the Pelicans were unwilling to offer. His name then surfaced in trade rumors, but obviously he’s still with New Orleans — his contract demands likely played a factor in no move being made.
Ingram is earning about $36MM in 2024/25, which is the final season of his contract.
The second overall pick of the 2016 draft, Ingram is in his sixth season with the Pelicans, who acquired him from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade back in 2019. Through 16 games this season, the 27-year-old is averaging 22.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 5.4 APG on .465/.364/.830 shooting in 33.7 MPG.
Although Ingram has been very productive during his time in New Orleans, injuries have also been an issue, as he’s missed at least 10 games in each of his five full seasons with the Pelicans, who have once again by plagued by ailments to open ’24/25. The club is currently sitting in last place in the Western Conference with a 4-13 record.
And-Ones: Harrell, Covington, Neto, Awards, More
Former NBA big man Montrezl Harrell, who won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2020, is currently playing in Australia’s National Basketball League as a member of the Adelaide 36ers. The 30-year-old received a three-game suspension on Monday for his part in on- and off-court incidents during a Nov. 17 game vs. Melbourne United.
As Olgun Uluc of ESPN details, United big man Rob Loe drew a charge on Harrell early in the fourth quarter of the contest, and while both players were on the ground, Harrell shoved Loe. That led to a “melee involving most players” for both teams. Harrell appeared to throw a punch at one opponent and “multiple open-handed strikes” at other United players, per Uluc.
Directly after the on-court scuffle, 36ers staffers and players — including Harrell and teammate Kendric Davis — were involved another altercation, this time with spectators behind the team’s bench. Davis received a two-game suspension for initiating contact in that incident, which saw four spectators ejected. Davis claimed a fan directed racist language at him; the United put out a statement saying they were unable to corroborate that allegation.
The 36ers have 24 hours to appeal the suspensions, according to Uluc, who says Harrell has suggested multiple times on social media he may not return to Australia, pending the outcome of his punishment; he’s currently back home in the United States with the NBL season on pause due to the FIBA window (qualifiers for international tournaments).
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- In an interview with Sam Yip of HoopsHype, free agent forward Robert Covington says he’s confident he can still contribute to NBA teams. “Ain’t nothing changed,” Covington said. “Someone that can give energy on the other side, the defensive side, can come in space the floor, move the ball, do the little things that won’t show up on the stat sheet, what made me very effective.” The 33-year-old, who holds 11 seasons of NBA experience, dealt with a knee injury for most of last season, last suiting up on December 30, 2023, but he says he’s fully healthy now. Covington is currently playing for Team USA in a qualifying round for the AmeriCup. One recent report said he might be open to playing in the G League as he attempts to make it back to the NBA.
- Former NBA guard Raul Neto has signed a rest-of-season contract with Spanish club Barcelona, as Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops relays. Neto, who played eight seasons in the NBA from 2015-23, missed all of last season with a knee injury, but he’s “fully recovered” now. Barcelona was looking for backcourt help after losing Nicolas Laprovittola to a season-ending ACL and meniscus injury, Askounis notes.
- Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports lists his award winners for the first month of the 2024/25 season. As of now, O’Connor has Nuggets center Nikola Jokic as the frontrunner to win his fourth MVP in five years, Spurs center Victor Wembanyama leading the race for Defensive Player of the Year, and Sixers guard Jared McCain as the league’s top rookie.
- On a somewhat related note, with the first month of the season finished, several writers for The Athletic to compiled a list of each team’s biggest concern, with one exception — the 17-1 Cavaliers don’t have a have a real weakness right now, says Joe Vardon.
- Magic guard Anthony Black and Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson are two of the six young players John Hollinger of The Athletic highlights as showing marked improvement in their season seasons.
Central Notes: Mitchell, Allen, Giannis, Lillard, Sheppard
Signing Donovan Mitchell to an extension was crucial to the Cavaliers’ stability, center Jarrett Allen told Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype. Mitchell inked a three-year, maximum-salary extension in July. Cleveland owns the league’s best record, having improved to 17-1 with a win over Toronto on Sunday.
“Donovan is a star. He’s a top-10 player in the league, some would say, and I would say,” Allen said. “Cleveland needs someone like that. Cleveland needs someone to hold onto like that and root for. It got the city excited again knowing that we had one of the best players in the NBA to stick with us. For the Cavs, you can see how it’s helping us now. He’s able to take over games and lead the team to victory.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- If Greece qualifies for Eurobasket 2025, Giannis Antetokounmpo intends to play with his national team, HoopsHype relays via an interview with Antonis Kalkavouras from Gazzetta. “Not (just) to be with them. To see them and play with them again (in the summer),” the Bucks superstar said.
- The Bucks have won four straight and six of their last seven. It’s an indication that Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are feeding off each other, Eric Nehm of The Athletic details. “I think (we’re) just kind of honestly are getting to the point where we’re tuning everybody else out,” Lillard said. “It’s just a lot of communication between the two of us, you know? It has nothing to do with people saying, ‘Oh, y’all need to do this or let’s try that.’ It’s like he sees what he sees. I see what I see. And we gotta use each other in that way, and I think it’s just leading to more times where when I’m having it, we’re putting people in position to where I’m throwing the ball to him.”
- Don’t expect to see Ben Sheppard back in the Pacers rotation any time soon. Coach Rick Carlisle says it’ll be “weeks, not days” before he returns, indicating that the MRI results were worse than anticipated, Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star tweets. Sheppard, who has appeared in 13 games including five starts this season, is recovering from an oblique injury.
New York Notes: Simmons, Nets, Thibodeau, Towns
The Nets want Ben Simmons to be a bigger factor on offense but it’s not happening. Simmons, who is in the final year of his contract, is averaging 5.4 points and 6.6 assists in 24.6 minutes per game. On Friday, Simmons contributed only two points and four assists in 26 minutes against Philadelphia.
“That’s the normal minutes he’s played. Again, we need him to rebound, we need him to push the pace and to find his teammates. We need him to be aggressive,” first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez told Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “Again, it was probably not a great game by him and by us as a team.”
We have more on the New York teams:
- After losing six of their last eight games, the Nets began a difficult three-game journey to the West Coast, starting with Sunday night’s contest at Sacramento. “It’s the NBA. We know who we’re playing against,” Cameron Johnson said, per Lewis. “We know what Sacramento brings. We know what Golden State brings. We know what Phoenix brings — and it’s really good, high-level players. So, yeah, we do. It is a bit of a wake-up call. But we understand what we’re getting ourselves into.” Dennis Schröder missed the game with right ankle soreness, Marc Spears of ESPN tweets.
- It may come as a shock to some people but Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has never been ejected by the officials as a head coach, a span of over 900 games. How is that possible? The Athletic’s James Edwards discusses that subject with a trio of prominent retired referees — Steve Javie, Danny Crawford and Bill Spooner. “He wasn’t complaining on every play and didn’t cross the line, so when he did start complaining a little bit, you’d show him respect because he treated us with some respect,” Javie said.
- Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns is questionable to play against Denver on Monday due to a left calf contusion, Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype tweets. Towns is averaging 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in his first season with New York. He shot just 6-for-19 from the field, scoring 16 points in 39 minutes, against Utah on Saturday.