Новости за 09.03.2023

Mike Trudell: Medical update from the team: “Mo Bamba has been evaluated by Lakers team doctors and has been diagnosed with a high left ankle sprain. He will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks.”
Source: Twitter @LakersReporter

Adrian Wojnarowski: Luka Doncic’s MRI on his thigh is clean and he’s expected to return as soon as discomfort allows him, source tells ESPN.
Source: Twitter @wojespn

Gary Washburn: Marcus Smart when asked about his constant foul trouble of late: “I don’t know if you guys seen Fred VanVleet’s interview. That’s all I’m going to say. That lets you know I’m not speaking out of my butt. I’m gonna let Fred do all the talking.” #Celtics #NBA
Source: Twitter @GwashburnGlobe

A Bulls source confirmed a report on Thursday that Lonzo Ball could be headed for a third left knee surgery since he joined the organization – fourth overall surgery on the knee in his career – but did stress that they “weren’t there just yet.’’
Source: Joe Cowley @ Chicago Sun-Times

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant left Footprint Center in a large walking boot Wednesday night after injuring himself during warmups. The Suns defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-101 without Durant, but the absence of their newly acquired superstar created a cloud of concern with the playoffs looming. The Arizona Republic has learned that there is concern within the organization that Durant has a grade 2 sprain, which would keep him out for between four and six weeks.
Source: Arizona Republic

Tim Bontemps: The Grizzlies announced Steven Adams got a stem cell injection in his injured knee and will be re-evaluated in four weeks — meaning he’ll miss the remainder of the regular season, at minimum.
Source: Twitter @TimBontemps

Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: There is a growing possibility that Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will need a third surgical procedure on his right knee that would likely require another six months of recovery and rehabilitation. pic.twitter.com/pnToNKynhb
Source: Twitter @wojespn

Love’s decision on the buyout with the Cavs did not come lightly. He spent eight and a half seasons in Cleveland, helping to bring their first NBA title to the city. He was the last main pillar standing from that title team and saw the Cavs through the rebuild. He served as a veteran for a young, inexperienced team and took a step back to a smaller role to allow opportunities for their young players. “Professionally, it was the hardest thing I ever had to do without question. I think you guys know how much I love Cleveland and Ohio. Читать дальше...

Michael Scotto: Any NBA executive or scout I’ve spoken to says the same thing about the pairing of Thibodeau and Hart on the Knicks, “It’s a perfect fit.” He’s been a Swiss army knife for the Knicks as a versatile role player. Hart has almost a $13 million player option this summer, which he’s expected to decline and become a free agent. But fear not Knicks fans, Hart loves the fit in New York, and the Knicks want to re-sign him in free agency… I don’t see him leaving. I see him getting either... Читать дальше...

Michael Scotto: I was talking to an NBA scout who said, “IQ has the perfect role there, but could start on a different team if it was constructed differently.” I think the big elephant in the room here is he’s playing so well that you’re going to have to have real conversations about an extension for him this summer and what that would look like.
Source: Michael Scotto @ HoopsHype

Michael Scotto: Looking ahead, it’s hard to see a fit for Obi Toppin,who’s owed $6.8 million next season before he hitsthe restricted free agency market in the summer of 2024. Toppin is stuck behind Julius Randle, who’s going to play 35-37 minutes a night when healthy, and Toppin hasn’t been able to play alongside Randle as a small-ball five. With Toppin and Immanuel Quickley eligible for extensions before next season. Looking ahead to the offseason, he’s a potential trade candidate, in my opinion. Читать дальше...

Michael Scotto: There were rumblings the Knicks talked to the Raptors about Evan Fournier, and I think it was three first-round picks for OG Anunoby, but talks didn’t go far, I was told… I’d assume there were protections of some kind. There was also uncertainty if Anunoby would want to stay with the Knicks in the summer of 2024 when he’s expected to opt out of his deal and become an unrestricted free agent. He’s (Anunoby) on a good contract now, but some executives think he’s going to cost too much once he hits the open market. Читать дальше...

Do you ever wish you had the opportunity to play college basketball? Giannis Antetokounmpo: That’s a really good question, actually. I do think about it a lot. You see all these college players when they make it to the league, they talk about their experience and how fun it was, and how different the environment was for them. I came to the NBA when I was 18. I didn’t have the opportunity to experience being around classmates: Lift weights in the morning, go to class, then go to practice, and see all the fans at the game. Читать дальше...

Michael Grange: These are Fred VanVleet’s full comments on the officiating tonight after Raptors loss to the Clippers. Just eviscerating. He will take a fine … very big fine: “I thought Ben Taylor was f*cking terrible tonight. I think that most nights, you know out of the three, there’s one or two that just f*ck the game up. It’s been like that a couple of games in a row. Denver was tough, obviously. You come out tonight, competing pretty hard and I get a bullsh*t tech that changes the whole dynamic of the game... Читать дальше...

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and SNY’s Ian Begley discuss Josh Hart’s impact on the Knicks and his future, Immanuel Quickley’s Sixth Man of the Year candidacy and extension chances this summer, RJ Barrett’s role and future, Tom Thibodeau and much more on the latest HoopsHype podcast episode.

But Brown admitted he’s “tired” of the protective gear despite the looks. “I know it looks cool, but sometimes it’s hard to breathe,” Brown said. “It kind of limits your vision at times depending on the lighting and depth perception. But y’all don’t want to hear none of that, that’s something like excuses and stuff. Come out each and every night and make it happen.”
Source: Souichi Terada @ Booth Newspapers

Duane Rankin: Being told Kevin Durant was in a boot. #Suns
Source: Twitter @DuaneRankin

Callie Caplan: Luka Doncic when I first asked how his left thigh strain was feeling: “It’s not good.” Said he will undergo an MRI tomorrow to determine if and how long he might be out: “It’s been going for a week, maybe more. Just can’t really push how I like.”
Source: Twitter @CallieCaplan

The Toronto Raptors (32-35) play against the Los Angeles Clippers (35-33) at Crypto.com Arena

Adrian Wojnarowski: According to the Pierce (Wash.) Corrections Inmate listings, six-time NBA All-Star Shawn Kemp — a legendary member of the Seattle Sonics — has been booked in an alleged drive-by shooting.
Source: Twitter @wojespn

Dallas Mavericks PR: Luka Dončić (left thigh strain) will not return to tonight’s game in New Orleans.
Source: Twitter @MavsPR

New Orleans Pelicans PR: Brandon Ingram (right ankle sprain) will not return to tonight’s game vs. Dallas.
Source: Twitter @PelicansPR

The Oklahoma City Thunder (31-35) play against the Phoenix Suns (37-29) at Footprint Center

The Chicago Bulls (30-36) play against the Denver Nuggets (46-20) at Ball Arena

Shams Charania: Suns’ Kevin Durant is out tonight vs. Thunder due to left ankle soreness. Thunder. Durant slipped on court in pregame workouts.
Source: Twitter @ShamsCharania