Sixers center Joel Embiid missed a third consecutive game on Friday due to a sprained left foot, but head coach Nick Nurse said the team doesn’t believe the issue will be a long-term concern, suggesting the big man could be back in action as early as Sunday, per Dan Gelston of The Associated Press. Still, Embiid’s availability has been spotty all season. He has played in more … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Embiid, Butler, LaVine, Valanciunas
Community Shootaround: First Half’s Pleasant Surprises, Disappointments
The fact that Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball has been able to play in 19 games so far this season is an achievement in itself, given that he missed the previous two-and-a-half years while dealing with ongoing knee problems. As Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps write for ESPN.com (Insider link), what’s even more impressive is how impactful Ball has been during his time on the … [Read more...] about Community Shootaround: First Half’s Pleasant Surprises, Disappointments
Southeast Notes: Butler, Kispert, Banchero, Hornets
Wizards two-way guard Jared Butler is stepping up in recent games and he’s impressed each time he’s gotten a chance at extended minutes this season, The Washington Post’s Varun Shankar observes. Over the past three games, Butler is averaging 19.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists while finishing with a positive plus/minus in three Washington losses. He scored season highs of … [Read more...] about Southeast Notes: Butler, Kispert, Banchero, Hornets
Injury Notes: Booker, Allen, Tatum, Lakers, Wizards
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
Kyle Kuzma Attributes His Scoring Outburst To Improved Health
Kyle Kuzma, who’s considered one of the Wizards‘ top trade candidates, had a season-high 28 points in Sunday’s loss to New Orleans, per Varun Shankar of The Washington Post. Kuzma credits his recent scoring burst to an increased off-ball role in the team’s offense and improved health after dealing with a groin strain. “I’ve been over that hurdle now, and I feel really … [Read more...] about Kyle Kuzma Attributes His Scoring Outburst To Improved Health