Category: NBA Players

Suns rookie Dragan Bender has ankle surgery

Phoenix Suns rookie forward Dragan Bender had an arthroscopic procedure Wednesday to remove a bone spur in his right ankle. The fourth overall pick last summer, the 19-year-old Croatian player is averaging 3.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.5 blocks and 12.7 minutes in 38 games.

Miles Plumlee delighted to go from insurance policy to important part …

When Miles Plumlee came over from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Charlotte Hornets last week in a trade, he’d been the equivalent of a highly-paid insurance policy. The Bucks had given Plumlee a four-year, $50 million free agent contract last summer but had rarely played him as he was averaging 9.7 minutes per game while playing in 32 of Milwaukee’s first 48 games.

Kevin Durant talks OKC return and ‘fake drama’ involving Russell Westbrook

Golden State Warriors star forward Kevin Durant said in a Tuesday interview with SportsCenter that he? has “been thinking” about Saturday night’s highly anticipated return to? Oklahoma City ?”for the last month” and just wants “to experience it [and] see how I feel once that moment comes.” In a SportsCenter sit-down with ESPN’s Marc Stein, Durant also insisted that ?he is prepared for whatever reaction greets him at Chesapeake Energy Arena, saying: “I know what’s important [to Thunder fans] and their team is way more important than just one player.

Comparing Toronto Raptors schedule to opponents offers room for optimism

The Toronto Raptors hang over from the horrid early schedule and injuries to key players took a toll, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Comparing their opponents upcoming schedules offers room for cautious optimism The Toronto Raptors hang over from the horrid early schedule and injuries to key players took a toll, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel The Toronto Raptors have survived the toughest part of their schedule and have reason to be cautiously optimistic heading into the All-Star Break.

Davis leads Pelicans past Suns, 111-106

Anthony Davis capped his 34-point night with a key rebound and six made free throws in the final half-minute, Jrue Holiday scored five of his 30 points in the last minute and a half, and the New Orleans Pelicans ended a four-game slide with a 111-106 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday. E’Twaun Moore scored 12 points for the Pelicans, who led by as many as 10 in the first half but found themselves behind for much of the fourth quarter until Davis and Holiday took over late.

Pistons pull away in 3rd quarter, beat 76ers 113-96

Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris makes a layup on Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, in Auburn Hills, Mich. Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris makes a layup on Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, in Auburn Hills, Mich.

DeRozan, Raptors overcome Griffin’s triple-double

Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan shoots over LA Clippers centre Marreese Speights during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Monday, Feb. 6, 2017. Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan shoots over LA Clippers centre Marreese Speights during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Monday, Feb. 6, 2017.

Hot-shooting Hayward has 30 points, Jazz crush Hawks 120-95

Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors battles Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard as he goes up for a shot in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, in Atlanta. Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors battles Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard as he goes up for a shot in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, in Atlanta.

Brandon Ingram expected to start for Lakers vs. Knicks

A against the Knicks, an apparent signal from coach Luke Walton that the team is prioritizing development for the remainder of the season.A Ingram, 19, has started 14 games in his rookie season, but always as a fill-in for an injured starter.A , he is expected to replace 13th-year veteran Luol Deng, who has posted his worst statistical season after signing a $72 million contract last summer. Ingram is averaging 8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, but those numbers have crept upward when he’s started.

Photo: Simone Biles confirms Shaq is uhh … tall

Olympic gold medalist/gymnastics superstar/American sweetheart Simone Biles helped “Inside Edition” showcase Houston – her hometown – for Super Bowl LI. While working as a correspondent, Biles stopped for a quick photo op with former NBA great Shaquille O’Neal, who is uhh taller than Biles.

Waiters benefiting from lessons learned in past career stops

Dion Waiters is quick to point out that he has learned plenty in a short time from Miami coach Erik Spoelstra and the assistants on the Heat staff. Waiters has been sensational for Miami during its 10-game winning streak, one that has vaulted the Heat right back into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Celtics win in Pierce’s farewell

Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton, behind, as Celtics forward Amir Johnson looks on in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Boston. ORG XMIT: MASR113 less Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton, behind, as Celtics forward Amir Johnson looks on in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 5, … more Isaiah Thomas stole the spotlight from Paul Pierce on Sunday, scoring 28 points to lead Boston to its seventh straight victory, a 107-102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the former Celtics captain’s final game in the Garden.

Celtics say goodbye to Pierce, beat Clippers 107-102

Isaiah Thomas bumped into Paul Pierce tooling around Boston on Saturday night and then stole the spotlight from the former Celtics captain on Sunday. With the crowd uncertain whether to cheer loudest for the Celtics or for Pierce – or for the Patriots in the Super Bowl – Thomas scored 28 points to lead Boston to its seventh straight victory, a 107-102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Pierce’s final game in the Garden.

Westbrook powers Thunder past Blazers 105-99

Russell Westbrook scored 19 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-99 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. Westbrook also had eight assists and four rebounds in his eighth 40-point performance of the season.

Jokic Could Be The MVP Of The Rising Stars Challenge

Dec 28, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic shoots the ball over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Emmanuel Mudiay will be in the Rising Stars Challenge in this year’s All-Star weekend.

Knicks could try to deal Carmelo, but should they?

New York Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek, left, talks to Carmelo Anthony during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, in New York. New York Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek, left, talks to Carmelo Anthony during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, in New York.

Kings top Warriors in OT, Kerr ejected

Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins, left, dunks over Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. /Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.

Irving, Rose out for Cavs-Knicks game

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving drives against New Orleans Pelicans forward Terrence Jones during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, in New Orleans. /Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.

Warriors’ Shaun Livingston to return vs. Kings

Golden State Warriors’ Shaun Livingston dribbles next to Miami Heat’s Dion Waiters during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. less Golden State Warriors’ Shaun Livingston dribbles next to Miami Heat’s Dion Waiters during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.

Booker nets 33, hits winning jumper to lift Suns over Kings

Devin Booker scored 33 points and hit the game-winning jumper at the buzzer, giving the Phoenix Suns a 105-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings Booker nets 33, hits winning jumper to lift Suns over Kings Devin Booker scored 33 points and hit the game-winning jumper at the buzzer, giving the Phoenix Suns a 105-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2l2OMO7 Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker, left, goes to the basket against Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. SACRAMENTO, Calif.

Yogi Ferrell lights up Blazers as Mavericks win fourth straight

Yogi Ferrell lights up Blazers as Mavericks win fourth straight Ferrell, on a 10-day contract, finished with 32 points and nine 3-pointers in a 108-104 victory. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2k6daKK Mavericks guard Yogi Ferrell celebrates after hitting a shot late in the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center.