Hoops Rumors

Celtics All-Star wing Jaylen Brown has seen his injury status upgraded ahead of Boston’s Sunday tilt against Oklahoma City. According to Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe (Twitter link), the 6’6″ forward will play his first game of 2025 after having been sidelined with a right shoulder strain since New Year’s Eve. The 28-year-old has been in fine form when he has played for the … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Brown, Towns, Knicks, Martin

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Celtics forward Jayson Tatum have been named the NBA’s Players of the Week for the Western Conference and Eastern Conference, respectively, the league announced today (via Twitter). The two perennial MVP candidates are the first two repeat Player of the Week winners for the 2024/25 season. Tatum was named the East’s Player of the Week on October … [Read more...] about Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum Named Players Of The Week

8:30pm: The Pistons are also signing Tolu Smith to a two-way deal, according to Jake Fischer (Twitter link). Smith, a 6’11”rookie  forward, was waived by Detroit in training camp. He has been playing the G League Motor City Cruise. He’s averaging 20.2 points and 14.8 rebounds in four regular season G League games. He also made five appearances with the Cruise in the G League … [Read more...] about Pistons Agree To Two-Way Deals With Ron Harper Jr., Tolu Smith

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