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Thunder need Isaiah Hartenstein to do more than clean up the glass
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can create plenty of offense. The Thunder’s growing injury list makes it increasingly important that he doesn’t have to create all of it. That’s where Isaiah Hartenstein comes in. The veteran center’s passing and ability to operate in the middle of the floor could become more valuable as Oklahoma City adjusts without Jalen […] The post Thunder need Isaiah Hartenstein to do more than clean up the glass appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Lawson Lovering gives Lakers another option where they need help
Lawson Lovering isn’t arriving with the expectation that he’ll solve the Lakers’ frontcourt problems. But a young center who can rebound and contest shots has a reasonable opportunity to get their attention. That’s the appeal of the Lakers’ reported two-way agreement with Lovering, as Ryan Ward of Lakers On SI examines. The former Utah big […] The post Lawson Lovering gives Lakers another option where they need help appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Suns’ early problem goes beyond getting Devin Booker better shots
The Suns need to get their offense organized. They also need to stop giving opponents a second turn with the ball. Through Phoenix’s first three games, the rebounding numbers were particularly difficult to overlook. Opponents collected 43.3% of their own misses, while the Suns allowed a league-high 15.7 offensive rebounds and 23.0 second-chance points per […] The post Suns’ early problem goes beyond getting Devin Booker better shots appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Kings’ winless start comes with a troubling gap in open shots
The Kings aren’t just missing shots. They’re making life considerably easier for the people shooting against them. That’s the concern behind Sacramento’s 0-4 start, and it goes beyond waiting for somebody to get hot. Through four games, the Kings generated 40 wide-open three-point attempts. Their opponents generated 90, according to Will Zimmerle of Kings On […] The post Kings’ winless start comes with a troubling gap in open shots appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Thunder’s Jalen Williams undergoes surgery, out through regular season
The Thunder now have a clearer picture of how long they’ll have to manage without Jalen Williams. It’s the rest of the regular season, at minimum. Williams underwent successful surgery Wednesday to address a fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle, Oklahoma City announced, via Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. The procedure included “reconstruction of ankle […] The post Thunder’s Jalen Williams undergoes surgery, out through regular season appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Cavs vs. Wizards halftime dribbles
CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from halftime of the Cavs’ home game against the Wizards. Washington leads, 69-59. 1. The Wizards had more dunks in the first quarter-and-a-half than I’ve seen in entire games. And I’m talking about 20 years of doing this. 2. With the exception of Trae Young and Khris Middleton, Washington’s entire roster […] The post Cavs vs. Wizards halftime dribbles appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Charles Barkley on Heat’s Giannis fit: ‘He’s difficult to play with’
Giannis Antetokounmpo was supposed to change the conversation in Miami. Four losses into his Heat career, Charles Barkley is questioning how much room he’s leaving for everybody else. “I think he’s difficult to play with,” Barkley said, via Amir Motameni of Heat On SI. “We had them the first night, he gets the ball and […] The post Charles Barkley on Heat’s Giannis fit: ‘He’s difficult to play with’ appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton unlikely to return before two-week injury update
The Pacers have some clarity on Tyrese Haliburton’s latest injury. They’ll still have to wait to get their offense’s organizer back. Coach Rick Carlisle described Haliburton as week-to-week with a “mild left hamstring strain” before Wednesday’s game against the Sixers, according to Alex Golden of Pacers On SI. Carlisle plans to provide another update in […] The post Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton unlikely to return before two-week injury update appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Mavericks pick up Zaccharie Risacher’s $17.4 million option
Zaccharie Risacher’s shot hasn’t arrived in Dallas yet. The Mavericks have seen enough elsewhere to keep investing in him. Dallas exercised the 21-year-old forward’s $17.4 million team option for 2027-28, the team announced Wednesday. The decision guarantees the fourth season of his rookie contract. Risacher has averaged 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals through […] The post Mavericks pick up Zaccharie Risacher’s $17.4 million option appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Hornets putting their trust in Brandon Miller: ‘You are that guy’
Brandon Miller has the contract. More importantly for the Hornets, he has teammates who want the ball in his hands when a game needs winning. “They’re like, ‘You are that guy, we believe in you,’” coach Charles Lee said, via Rod Boone of Sporting News. “‘So when we put the ball in your hand, go […] The post Hornets putting their trust in Brandon Miller: ‘You are that guy’ appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Lakers adding center Lawson Lovering, waive AK Okereke
The Lakers are changing the makeup of one of their two-way spots, adding size in the middle and moving on from a rookie wing. Los Angeles has agreed to a two-way contract with center Lawson Lovering and waived AK Okereke to create the opening, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Lovering, 23, spent last season […] The post Lakers adding center Lawson Lovering, waive AK Okereke appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Mavericks CEO Rick Welts to retire, Ethan Casson named successor
The Mavericks are making a change at the top of their business operation, with the succession plan already in place. Rick Welts will retire at the end of the year, and team president Ethan Casson will succeed him as CEO and alternate governor, the Mavericks announced Wednesday. Welts, 73, came out of retirement in 2024 […] The post Mavericks CEO Rick Welts to retire, Ethan Casson named successor appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Wizards’ Justin Champagnie undergoes foot surgery, faces lengthy absence
The Wizards are getting their No. 1 pick on the floor Wednesday. They’re also losing a productive reserve for a considerable stretch. Justin Champagnie underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot, with Washington hoping he can return by the All-Star break, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic. The Wizards confirmed the […] The post Wizards’ Justin Champagnie undergoes foot surgery, faces lengthy absence appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Cavs’ DAZN rollout raises bigger questions about NBA streaming plans
As you know, the Cavaliers have added another way to watch their games. Whether the NBA can eventually make the entire process easier is a much bigger question. That’s the issue raised by Manny Soloway of Awful Announcing, who examines what DAZN’s early-season distribution changes could mean for the league’s local television future. His argument […] The post Cavs’ DAZN rollout raises bigger questions about NBA streaming plans appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Ernie Johnson announces this will be his final ‘Inside the NBA’ season
Ernie Johnson is leaving Inside the NBA after this season. He wants to make one thing clear, though. “Just to be clear, I’m not retiring,” Johnson said in a video announcement Wednesday. “Just cutting back.” That’s still a significant change for one of basketball’s most recognizable shows. Johnson has been the steady presence alongside Charles […] The post Ernie Johnson announces this will be his final ‘Inside the NBA’ season appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton sidelined again after promising return
Tyrese Haliburton waited 16 months to get back on the floor. Four games into his return, the Pacers are facing another stretch without him. Haliburton has a strained left hamstring and will miss time, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, via Jamal Collier. A recovery timeline has not been established. That’s a discouraging interruption to a […] The post Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton sidelined again after promising return appeared first on Hoops Wire .
NBA Notes: Raptors, Kawhi Leonard, Mavericks, Zaccharie Risacher, Rockets
Raptors The Raptors didn’t bring back Kawhi Leonard expecting perfect attendance. Still, having to adjust without him before October ends probably wasn’t the preferred introduction. Leonard is expected to miss weeks with swelling in his left knee, though imaging revealed no structural damage. As Sean Keane of Yardbarker writes, Toronto accepted the availability concerns when […] The post NBA Notes: Raptors, Kawhi Leonard, Mavericks, Zaccharie Risacher, Rockets appeared first on Hoops Wire .
NBA Notes: Lakers, Walker Kessler, Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards, Pistons
Lakers Walker Kessler isn’t leaving the Lakers’ defensive problems for somebody else to explain. “I got to personally be better on the defensive side,” Kessler said after Tuesday’s loss to Portland, via Lakers Nation. “Giving up [136] points is not acceptable. We’ll figure it out.” The Lakers scored 129 and still suffered their first loss. […] The post NBA Notes: Lakers, Walker Kessler, Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards, Pistons appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Cavs rookie Meleek Thomas has their attention. Now comes the next opportunity
CLEVELAND — Meleek Thomas wanted people to leave the arena knowing his name. After Monday night, that probably won’t be an issue around here. The Cavaliers rookie scored 16 points in 19 minutes against the Timberwolves, supplying a needed spark in an overtime win. Now, with the Wizards visiting Wednesday, comes the opportunity to build […] The post Cavs rookie Meleek Thomas has their attention. Now comes the next opportunity appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Warriors Notes: Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Yaxel Lendeborg
Stephen Curry and Draymond Green know they won’t be doing this together forever. Curry says that makes the games in front of them more meaningful. Speaking with Nick Friedell of The Athletic, Curry described how the approaching end of their partnership influences his outlook. “The thoughts of the end only make the urgency now more […] The post Warriors Notes: Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Yaxel Lendeborg appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Warriors reportedly doubt Kristaps Porzingis will play for them again
The Warriors would prefer to turn Kristaps Porzingis’ contract into somebody who can help. Getting to that point is proving considerably harder than identifying the need. Team sources continue to express little optimism that Porzingis will play another game for Golden State, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN. The situation now extends beyond his availability. […] The post Warriors reportedly doubt Kristaps Porzingis will play for them again appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Timberwolves officially re-sign Enrique Freeman
Enrique Freeman is officially back with the Timberwolves. The Cleveland native and former Akron standout re-signed on a two-way contract Tuesday, according to NBA.com’s transaction log. The signing completes the return we detailed here Tuesday, giving Freeman another opportunity with an organization that already knows his game. Freeman, 26, will be eligible to appear in […] The post Timberwolves officially re-sign Enrique Freeman appeared first on Hoops Wire .
No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa to make NBA debut against Cavs
The Cavaliers already had Trae Young and Anthony Davis to account for Wednesday night. Now Washington is adding the No. 1 overall pick to the assignment. AJ Dybantsa will make his NBA debut for the Wizards against Cleveland, the team announced. That gives the matchup at Rocket Arena another reason to watch, with Washington finally […] The post No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa to make NBA debut against Cavs appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Ja Morant, Damian Lillard giving Blazers a different kind of finish
The Trail Blazers brought in Ja Morant to give Damian Lillard some help. Three games into their partnership, opponents are getting a look at why that might be a problem. Especially when there’s nowhere left to hide in the final two minutes. Portland improved to 3-0 with Tuesday’s 136-129 win over the Lakers, but the […] The post Ja Morant, Damian Lillard giving Blazers a different kind of finish appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Lakers’ first loss exposes the limits of simply outscoring everybody
Luka Doncic followed a 52-point game with 41 more Tuesday. Austin Reaves added 26. The Lakers still lost. That should tell you where this conversation is headed. Scoring hasn’t been a problem for Los Angeles. Getting enough stops against another team with serious offensive firepower proved considerably more difficult in a 136-129 loss to the […] The post Lakers’ first loss exposes the limits of simply outscoring everybody appeared first on Hoops Wire .