Hoops Rumors

Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis overcame early foul trouble in his return to the court Friday night at Houston, writes Souichi Terada of MassLive. Porzingis, who missed the previous four games with a sprained left ankle, was able to play 28 minutes, posting 11 points, five rebounds and two assists. “I felt all right,” he said afterward. “Still haven’t been in my best shape … [Read more...] about Celtics Notes: Porzingis, Kornet, Tatum, Udoka, Brown

After missing the past 23 games with a left hamstring strain, Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado says he plans to return to action on Friday vs. Washington, as Will Guillory of The Athletic relays (via Twitter). “I’ll be playing tomorrow for sure,” Alvarado said. “No doubt. … I finally get to be Jose again. It’s going to be a lot of crazy man out there.” Both of the Pelicans’ injured … [Read more...] about Injury Notes: Pelicans, Lakers, Celtics, Ivey, M. Robinson

In an Insider-only story for ESPN.com, Tim Bontemps lists seven storylines people around the NBA will be monitoring in 2025. Due to their combination of young players, draft assets and a coach (Ime Udoka) that players want to play for, the Rockets are widely viewed as the team to watch the next time a star becomes available on the trade market. “The whole landscape of the … [Read more...] about And-Ones: 2025, Balance, Expansion, Neto, MVP

The Wizards and Kyle Kuzma are targeting Monday’s rematch with New York for the veteran forward’s return to action, team sources tell Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link). As Robbins notes, Kuzma has missed the past 12 games with a sprained rib cartilage, having last played on Nov. 27. The two sides will determine if he’s able to suit up in the hours leading up to the … [Read more...] about Injury Notes: Kuzma, Raptors, Morant, Celtics, Suggs

Veteran guard Lonnie Walker IV is drawing NBA interest, with the Sixers, Timberwolves, Heat, Nuggets and Celtics all viewed as potential suitors, reports Marc Stein (Twitter link). Walker played on Boston’s training camp roster in the fall on an Exhibit 10 deal, but was cut ahead of the 2024/25 regular season. The 6’4″ wing isn’t quite a free agent. He is currently playing for … [Read more...] about Multiple Playoff Hopefuls Eyeing Lonnie Walker

After signing a four-year, $211.6MM maximum free agent contract with the Sixers this summer, Philadelphia anticipated that former nine-time All-Star forward Paul George would help goose their scoring — but his contributions have been erratic so far, observes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Through 19 healthy games, the 34-year-old is averaging 15.8 points on … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: George, Raptors, Hart, Brown

The Suns will be missing guards Devin Booker and Grayson Allen on Christmas Day. Both players were deemed unavailable for Wednesday’s game vs. Denver after sitting out the team’s practice on Tuesday, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Booker was originally ruled out for two games after injuring his groin last Thursday, with the Suns referring to the ailment as groin … [Read more...] about Injury Notes: Booker, Allen, Tatum, Lakers, Wizards

Veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith returned to the Nets‘ starting lineup on Friday vs. San Antonio after missing three games due to a left calf contusion, an injury he admitted was related to a left ankle sprain that cost him several games in November and early December, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. “Same ankle, which kind of ran up my calf, changed the way I … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Finney-Smith, Celtics, Toppin, J. Johnson, Bagley

The Celtics still may have the best roster in the league, but they haven’t looked like the defending champions for the past two weeks, writes Brian Robb of MassLive. Boston is 3-4 in its last seven games, including losses against the sub-.500 Bulls and the short-handed Magic. Coach Joe Mazzulla was candid about his team’s recent play after falling to Philadelphia on … [Read more...] about Celtics Notes: Mazzulla, Tatum, Porzingis, Springer