NBA news Archives - toppoptoday.com toppoptoday.com Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:00:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://toppoptoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/cropped-favicon_new_blue-32x32.png NBA news Archives - toppoptoday.com 32 32 Pacers’ Myles Turner Suffers Hand Fracture, Will Miss “Next Few Games” https://toppoptoday.com/pacers-myles-turner-suffers-hand-fracture-will-miss-next-few-games/ Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:00:41 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8856 Indiana Pacers will be without center Myles Turner in the next few games. According to multiple reports, Turner is dealing with a small fracture in his hand and will need to take some time off to recover. Pacers are expected to re-evaluate Turner in the coming days and should know more details about his return […]

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Indiana Pacers will be without center Myles Turner in the next few games. According to multiple reports, Turner is dealing with a small fracture in his hand and will need to take some time off to recover.

Pacers are expected to re-evaluate Turner in the coming days and should know more details about his return then. The 24-year-old player is expected to be out for at least the next two games in which Indiana faces Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic.

Turner has been enjoying a fine form so far in 2020/21, averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. He has been particularly an important presence for Pacers on the defensive end, averaging 1.5 steals and NBA-leading 4.2 blocks per game. The 2015’s first-round pick also led the league in blocks last season.

With Turner out, the Pacers are expected to turn to All-Star Domantas Sabonis as their first top choice on the center position. Second-year player Goga Bitadze should be the backup while Doug McDermott will slide instead of Sabonis at power forward.

Indiana are currently sitting on No.4 in Eastern Conference with an 8-5 record. They are just 0.5 games behind Boston Celtics at the top.

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The 76ers Have Interest in Wizards’ Star Bradley Beal https://toppoptoday.com/the-76ers-have-interest-in-wizards-star-bradley-beal/ Fri, 15 Jan 2021 10:59:59 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8747 The Philadelphia 76ers made several significant moves in the offseason but it looks like they are still not done with assembling a roster for title contention. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the 76ers have an interest in Washington Wizards’ star Bradley Beal and might make a move if he’s available. Ever since Daryl Morey […]

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The Philadelphia 76ers made several significant moves in the offseason but it looks like they are still not done with assembling a roster for title contention. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the 76ers have an interest in Washington Wizards’ star Bradley Beal and might make a move if he’s available.

Ever since Daryl Morey took over as president of basketball operations, Philly has been linked with a trade for Houston Rockets’ superstar James Harden. The two teams even had discussions after Harden asked for a trade, but these talks didn’t go anywhere.

O’Connor now reports that the 76ers’ focus might change to Beal, as he is considered to be a great fit for Doc Rivers’ system and could mesh well with the rest of Philly’s roster.

The only problem is that Bradley Beal is under contract with the Wizard through the 2021/22 NBA season, and the organization doesn’t seem willing to part ways with their best player. There is no doubt that the 76ers can make a competitive offer, but any deal would probably have to include All-Star Ben Simmons for Washington to even consider an offer.

After averaging 30.5 points last season, Beal has been even more productive in 2020/21. He is currently pouring in 34.9 points per game on impressive 49.4 percent shooting while also adding 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per contest.

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Memphis Star Ja Morant Suffers an Ankle Injury https://toppoptoday.com/memphis-star-ja-morant-suffers-an-ankle-injury/ Sat, 02 Jan 2021 14:32:17 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8434 Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant suffered an ankle injury in his team’s  116-111 overtime win against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. The injury took place late in the second quarter when Morant attempted to block Brooklyn’s forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year landed awkwardly on Luwawu-Cabarrot’s foot and immediately […]

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Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant suffered an ankle injury in his team’s  116-111 overtime win against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.

The injury took place late in the second quarter when Morant attempted to block Brooklyn’s forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year landed awkwardly on Luwawu-Cabarrot’s foot and immediately started hopping on one foot before crashing on the floor in the bench area.

According to ESPN, Morant had X-rays after the game, which showed no fracture on his ankle but revealed a strain. However, more details about his condition will be known after he undergoes an MRI in the next couple of days.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters after the game that Morant will be evaluated in the upcoming days and that the team will issue an update before their game against Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

“So tough to see Ja go down,” said Jenkins. “I know he’s going to bounce back and be fine. We’ll have more updates as we’re going through, but so far so good.”

After nearly leading the Grizzlies to playoffs last season, Ja Morant opened 2020/21 with a couple of stellar performances. Morant put up 44 points in the first game of the season against the San Antonio Spurs and then followed with a 28-points outing against Atlanta Hawks. He had seven points in 13 minutes before exiting the game against the Nets.

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Mavs’ Kristaps Porzingis Expected to Return This Month https://toppoptoday.com/mavs-kristaps-porzingis-expected-to-return-this-month/ Fri, 01 Jan 2021 10:31:25 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8438 Dallas Mavericks’ star center Kristaps Porzingis is closing in on his return to basketball after undergoing knee surgery in October. According to the team’s head coach Rick Carlisle, Porzings is expected to make his 2020/21 debut at some point in January. Porzings had his first full practice with the rest of the team on Tuesday, […]

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Dallas Mavericks’ star center Kristaps Porzingis is closing in on his return to basketball after undergoing knee surgery in October. According to the team’s head coach Rick Carlisle, Porzings is expected to make his 2020/21 debut at some point in January.

Porzings had his first full practice with the rest of the team on Tuesday, taking part in 5-on-5 and 1-on-1 drills.

“Sometime in the next couple of weeks isn’t far-fetched. It isn’t certain, either,” said Carlisle when asked about the 25-year-old player. “I think we just have to go day to day with it and hope that things can keep moving in a positive direction.”

Having Porzingis back will be a big factor for Dallas as the team hopes to make a run for one of the top spots in the Western Conference in 2020/21. The Mavs lost their first two games of the season but bounced back with a huge 124-73 win over LA Clippers on Sunday.

Kristaps Porzingis played 57 games for Dallas Mavericks last season and ended up averaging 20.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.0 blocks per contest. He previously missed a year and a half while recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in February 2018 while being a member of the NY Knicks.

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Lonzo Ball and Pelicans Fail to Agree on an Extension https://toppoptoday.com/lonzo-ball-and-pelicans-fail-to-agree-on-an-extension/ Wed, 23 Dec 2020 09:55:00 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8133 New Orleans Pelicans reportedly failed to lock point guard Lonzo Ball on a long-term extension. This will result in Ball becoming a restricted free agent next offseason. Ball was eligible to receive a rookie extension from the Pelicans ahead of the 2020/21 NBA season, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement according to […]

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New Orleans Pelicans reportedly failed to lock point guard Lonzo Ball on a long-term extension. This will result in Ball becoming a restricted free agent next offseason.

Ball was eligible to receive a rookie extension from the Pelicans ahead of the 2020/21 NBA season, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement according to the player’s agent Rich Paul. Still, Paul told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that both parties “remain positive” when it comes to Ball’s future in New Orleans.

If Ball decides to explore free agency next summer and agrees to terms with another team, the Pelicans will have the right to match any offer and keep the 23-year-old player on their roster.

It makes sense for New Orleans Pelicans not to make a strong push for a new deal with Lonzo Ball, considering that the verdict is still out on the former UCLA star. While Ball showed great court vision and passing ability during his time in the NBA, he still has shooting struggles and didn’t show that he can be a difference-maker.

Ball, who was the No.2 pick in 2017, joined the Pelicans as part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis to LA Lakers last year. He finished his first season in New Orleans by averaging 11.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 63 games but hit only 40.3 percent from the field and made just 56.6 percent of his free throw attempts.

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James Harden Finally Joins Rockets’ Training Camp, Makes His Preseason Debut https://toppoptoday.com/james-harden-finally-joins-rockets-training-camp-makes-his-preseason-debut/ Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:05:00 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8044 After holding out for several days, Houston Rockets’ superstar James Harden finally joined the team for training camp. Harden also made his preseason debut on Tuesday, playing in a 112-98 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Harden opted not to be in Houston for the start of the training camp, with sources describing his absence […]

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After holding out for several days, Houston Rockets’ superstar James Harden finally joined the team for training camp. Harden also made his preseason debut on Tuesday, playing in a 112-98 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Harden opted not to be in Houston for the start of the training camp, with sources describing his absence as a “holdout” in attempts to force a trade. The 31-year-old previously told the Rockets that he wants out as he believes the team isn’t competitive enough.

However, the Rockets took a patient approach and reportedly are not prepared to trade their best player unless they receive appropriate compensation.  Harden eventually caved in and ended his holdout although nothing changed about his intention to leave the franchise.

In his first preseason outing, Harden spent 21 minutes on the floor and had a rough shooting night, hitting three out of his 10 shots. He still managed to put up 12 points to go with three rebounds and four assists.

The performance still pleased Rockets’ new head coach Stephen Silas, who was happy to see Harden out on the floor. 

“He was good,” said Silas after the game. “I mean, he’s obviously a great player and can do so many things on the floor, on and off the ball. Defensively, he has great hands and makes plays, and is smart. So to have him out there was great.”

James Harden should get comfortable in Houston again, as there is a big chance he won’t be leaving the organization anytime soon despite his wishes. The Rockets reportedly have high demands that teams have been unwilling to meet so far. This includes getting back a young franchise star, a promising role player, and a chest of draft picks. 

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Pelicans’ Zion Williamson Expects to Have “No Restrictions” Next Season https://toppoptoday.com/pelicans-zion-williamson-expects-to-have-no-restrictions-next-season/ Tue, 08 Dec 2020 10:27:32 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=7880 Zion Williamson’s rookie season in the NBA was marked with various injury-related restrictions that limited the time New Orleans Pelicans’ star spent on the court. But the good news is that the 20-year-old doesn’t expect this to be the case anymore. During a chat with reporters on Sunday, Williamson said Pelicans’ head coach Stan Van […]

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Zion Williamson’s rookie season in the NBA was marked with various injury-related restrictions that limited the time New Orleans Pelicans’ star spent on the court. But the good news is that the 20-year-old doesn’t expect this to be the case anymore.

During a chat with reporters on Sunday, Williamson said Pelicans’ head coach Stan Van Gundy told him there will be “no restrictions” on his playing time for the 2020/21 NBA season.

“Me and coach Van Gundy have talked, and from what I know now, there are no restrictions. None,” said Williamson, while adding that he is looking forward to being able to play without any limitations.

Zion Williamson entered the league as Pelicans’ first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft but ended up having his debut postponed due to a meniscus injury he suffered in the preseason. When he finally did get to the NBA court, New Orleans opted for a cautious strategy and kept him on minute restrictions for the better part of his rookie campaign.

Williamson ended up playing 24 games while spending 27.8 minutes on the court on average. This didn’t stop him from putting up some dominant performances, and he finished the season by averaging 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

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Lakers Sign Superstar LeBron James to a 2-Year, $85 Million Extension https://toppoptoday.com/lakers-sign-superstar-lebron-james-to-a-2-year-85-million-extension/ Sun, 06 Dec 2020 10:10:46 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=7842 The Los Angeles Lakers and superstar LeBron James agreed to a two-year , $85 million contract extension. The deal was confirmed by James’ agency Klutch Sports Group on Wednesday. James, who previously had one year, $39.2 million left on his deal, will now remain with the franchise at least through 2022/23 NBA season. James helped […]

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The Los Angeles Lakers and superstar LeBron James agreed to a two-year , $85 million contract extension. The deal was confirmed by James’ agency Klutch Sports Group on Wednesday.

James, who previously had one year, $39.2 million left on his deal, will now remain with the franchise at least through 2022/23 NBA season.

James helped the Lakers to an NBA title last season, capturing his fourth ring in the process. He led the league in assists with 10.2 average during the regular season, while adding 25.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.

During the postseason, the 35-year-old James took it up a notch, scoring 27.6 points per game. His playoffs excellence resulted in the NBA Finals MVP award, which made him the only player in the history of the league to get this achievement with three different franchises. He previously won the award with the Miami Heat twice and once with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

By agreeing to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers for three more years, LeBron James has put himself in a position to add to his NBA Title count and get closer to Michael Jordan in the “greatest of all time” conversation. Lakers are favorites to repeat in 2020/21, having reportedly locked All-Star Anthony Davis to a long-term deal while adding several intriguing pieces to their roster, including Dennis Schroeder, Marc Gasol, and Montrezl Harrell.

If he maintains the level of play from previous seasons, James will also have a chance to get on top of most of the NBA’s all-time lists.

He already ranks No. 1 in scoring and steals in the playoffs while also having a realistic chance to catch Magic Johnson in the assists category.

In the regular-season rankings, James is currently third in scoring with 34,241 points, trailing Karl Malone (36,928) and the Lakers’ legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387). He would need to average at least 25.0 points per game in the next three years to emerge on top.

James can also get in the top five on the all-time assists leaders list and in the top 10 in the all-time steals leaders list before he wraps up his playing career.

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Lou Williams and Clippers Could Part Ways This Offseason https://toppoptoday.com/lou-williams-and-clippers-could-part-ways-this-offseason/ Mon, 30 Nov 2020 18:09:00 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=7747 Following a disappointing 2019/20 campaign, Los Angeles Clippers are having a busy offseason that could reportedly see them making more major roster changes in the future. According to NY Times’ Marc Stein, Clippers made three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams available in trade talks. Stein reports that the Clippers are looking to […]

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Following a disappointing 2019/20 campaign, Los Angeles Clippers are having a busy offseason that could reportedly see them making more major roster changes in the future. According to NY Times’ Marc Stein, Clippers made three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams available in trade talks.

Stein reports that the Clippers are looking to create a “fresh-start environment” and that the organization believes Williams’ exit would aid in this quest. 

Williams has put another productive season for the Clippers in 2019/20, averaging 18.1 points and 5.6 assists per game in the regular season. However, the lack of his performance on the defensive end and rumored locker room issues could lead to his exit.

There was chatter of bad team chemistry in the Clippers’ locker room last season that indicated that Williams, Motrelz Harrell, and Patrick Beverley are reportedly unhappy with the beneficial status of offseason acquisitions Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. It appears that the organization is siding with Leonard and George on this, as Harrell already left the team, and Williams is now set to follow.

There would certainly be a market for Lou Williams if the story is true, considering that he is a proven scorer who is able to get some buckets when the offense is stalling. The question here, however, is how much in return can Clippers get and whether they would be able to compensate for the loss of production.

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Wizards’ GM Tommy Sheppard: ”There Are no Plans to Trade John Wall” https://toppoptoday.com/wizards-gm-tommy-sheppard-there-are-no-plans-to-trade-john-wall/ Sun, 29 Nov 2020 18:51:00 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=7744 Washington Wizards’ point guard John Wall has been frequently mentioned in trade talks in recent weeks. There was chatter around the league that Wizards pitched a trade proposal to Houston Rockets that would see them swap Wall for All-Star Russell Westbrook while some reports even suggested that the 30-year-old player approached the organization and asked […]

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Washington Wizards’ point guard John Wall has been frequently mentioned in trade talks in recent weeks. There was chatter around the league that Wizards pitched a trade proposal to Houston Rockets that would see them swap Wall for All-Star Russell Westbrook while some reports even suggested that the 30-year-old player approached the organization and asked to be traded.  

However, even if some of these rumors are true, Wizards are not ready to acknowledge them and insist that Wall has a future with the franchise.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Washington’s general manager Tommy Sheppard denied that the team wants to trade the five-time All-Star.

“There are no plans to trade John,” said Sheppard. “Obviously, it’s unfortunate this time of year — I think the bait and tackle shop’s wide open for business.”

Sheppard also added that Wall ”didn’t request” to be traded and that “there’s no issues with John and the Wizards.”

John Wall was Washington’s No. 1 pick in the 2010 Draft and was perceived as one of the league’s most exciting point guards early on. But Wall’s reputation has been on a downhill trajectory in recent years as he struggled to remain healthy. He hasn’t been on the court for almost two years, dealing with a heel injury and ruptured Achilles, while playing just 73 games since the 2016/17 season.

The injury history alone would make it hard for Washington to trade the player but the task becoming even daunting considering his huge contract. Wall has three years and $132 million left on his contract.

This is probably why Wizards decided to move further with Wall on board, hoping that he can bounce back and return to his All-Star form.

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ersion="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> NBA news Archives - toppoptoday.com toppoptoday.com Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:00:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://toppoptoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/cropped-favicon_new_blue-32x32.png NBA news Archives - toppoptoday.com 32 32 Pacers’ Myles Turner Suffers Hand Fracture, Will Miss “Next Few Games” https://toppoptoday.com/pacers-myles-turner-suffers-hand-fracture-will-miss-next-few-games/ Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:00:41 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8856 Indiana Pacers will be without center Myles Turner in the next few games. According to multiple reports, Turner is dealing with a small fracture in his hand and will need to take some time off to recover. Pacers are expected to re-evaluate Turner in the coming days and should know more details about his return […]

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Indiana Pacers will be without center Myles Turner in the next few games. According to multiple reports, Turner is dealing with a small fracture in his hand and will need to take some time off to recover.

Pacers are expected to re-evaluate Turner in the coming days and should know more details about his return then. The 24-year-old player is expected to be out for at least the next two games in which Indiana faces Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic.

Turner has been enjoying a fine form so far in 2020/21, averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. He has been particularly an important presence for Pacers on the defensive end, averaging 1.5 steals and NBA-leading 4.2 blocks per game. The 2015’s first-round pick also led the league in blocks last season.

With Turner out, the Pacers are expected to turn to All-Star Domantas Sabonis as their first top choice on the center position. Second-year player Goga Bitadze should be the backup while Doug McDermott will slide instead of Sabonis at power forward.

Indiana are currently sitting on No.4 in Eastern Conference with an 8-5 record. They are just 0.5 games behind Boston Celtics at the top.

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The 76ers Have Interest in Wizards’ Star Bradley Beal https://toppoptoday.com/the-76ers-have-interest-in-wizards-star-bradley-beal/ Fri, 15 Jan 2021 10:59:59 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8747 The Philadelphia 76ers made several significant moves in the offseason but it looks like they are still not done with assembling a roster for title contention. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the 76ers have an interest in Washington Wizards’ star Bradley Beal and might make a move if he’s available. Ever since Daryl Morey […]

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The Philadelphia 76ers made several significant moves in the offseason but it looks like they are still not done with assembling a roster for title contention. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the 76ers have an interest in Washington Wizards’ star Bradley Beal and might make a move if he’s available.

Ever since Daryl Morey took over as president of basketball operations, Philly has been linked with a trade for Houston Rockets’ superstar James Harden. The two teams even had discussions after Harden asked for a trade, but these talks didn’t go anywhere.

O’Connor now reports that the 76ers’ focus might change to Beal, as he is considered to be a great fit for Doc Rivers’ system and could mesh well with the rest of Philly’s roster.

The only problem is that Bradley Beal is under contract with the Wizard through the 2021/22 NBA season, and the organization doesn’t seem willing to part ways with their best player. There is no doubt that the 76ers can make a competitive offer, but any deal would probably have to include All-Star Ben Simmons for Washington to even consider an offer.

After averaging 30.5 points last season, Beal has been even more productive in 2020/21. He is currently pouring in 34.9 points per game on impressive 49.4 percent shooting while also adding 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per contest.

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Memphis Star Ja Morant Suffers an Ankle Injury https://toppoptoday.com/memphis-star-ja-morant-suffers-an-ankle-injury/ Sat, 02 Jan 2021 14:32:17 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8434 Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant suffered an ankle injury in his team’s  116-111 overtime win against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. The injury took place late in the second quarter when Morant attempted to block Brooklyn’s forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year landed awkwardly on Luwawu-Cabarrot’s foot and immediately […]

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Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant suffered an ankle injury in his team’s  116-111 overtime win against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.

The injury took place late in the second quarter when Morant attempted to block Brooklyn’s forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year landed awkwardly on Luwawu-Cabarrot’s foot and immediately started hopping on one foot before crashing on the floor in the bench area.

According to ESPN, Morant had X-rays after the game, which showed no fracture on his ankle but revealed a strain. However, more details about his condition will be known after he undergoes an MRI in the next couple of days.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters after the game that Morant will be evaluated in the upcoming days and that the team will issue an update before their game against Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

“So tough to see Ja go down,” said Jenkins. “I know he’s going to bounce back and be fine. We’ll have more updates as we’re going through, but so far so good.”

After nearly leading the Grizzlies to playoffs last season, Ja Morant opened 2020/21 with a couple of stellar performances. Morant put up 44 points in the first game of the season against the San Antonio Spurs and then followed with a 28-points outing against Atlanta Hawks. He had seven points in 13 minutes before exiting the game against the Nets.

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Mavs’ Kristaps Porzingis Expected to Return This Month https://toppoptoday.com/mavs-kristaps-porzingis-expected-to-return-this-month/ Fri, 01 Jan 2021 10:31:25 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8438 Dallas Mavericks’ star center Kristaps Porzingis is closing in on his return to basketball after undergoing knee surgery in October. According to the team’s head coach Rick Carlisle, Porzings is expected to make his 2020/21 debut at some point in January. Porzings had his first full practice with the rest of the team on Tuesday, […]

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Dallas Mavericks’ star center Kristaps Porzingis is closing in on his return to basketball after undergoing knee surgery in October. According to the team’s head coach Rick Carlisle, Porzings is expected to make his 2020/21 debut at some point in January.

Porzings had his first full practice with the rest of the team on Tuesday, taking part in 5-on-5 and 1-on-1 drills.

“Sometime in the next couple of weeks isn’t far-fetched. It isn’t certain, either,” said Carlisle when asked about the 25-year-old player. “I think we just have to go day to day with it and hope that things can keep moving in a positive direction.”

Having Porzingis back will be a big factor for Dallas as the team hopes to make a run for one of the top spots in the Western Conference in 2020/21. The Mavs lost their first two games of the season but bounced back with a huge 124-73 win over LA Clippers on Sunday.

Kristaps Porzingis played 57 games for Dallas Mavericks last season and ended up averaging 20.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.0 blocks per contest. He previously missed a year and a half while recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in February 2018 while being a member of the NY Knicks.

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Lonzo Ball and Pelicans Fail to Agree on an Extension https://toppoptoday.com/lonzo-ball-and-pelicans-fail-to-agree-on-an-extension/ Wed, 23 Dec 2020 09:55:00 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8133 New Orleans Pelicans reportedly failed to lock point guard Lonzo Ball on a long-term extension. This will result in Ball becoming a restricted free agent next offseason. Ball was eligible to receive a rookie extension from the Pelicans ahead of the 2020/21 NBA season, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement according to […]

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New Orleans Pelicans reportedly failed to lock point guard Lonzo Ball on a long-term extension. This will result in Ball becoming a restricted free agent next offseason.

Ball was eligible to receive a rookie extension from the Pelicans ahead of the 2020/21 NBA season, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement according to the player’s agent Rich Paul. Still, Paul told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that both parties “remain positive” when it comes to Ball’s future in New Orleans.

If Ball decides to explore free agency next summer and agrees to terms with another team, the Pelicans will have the right to match any offer and keep the 23-year-old player on their roster.

It makes sense for New Orleans Pelicans not to make a strong push for a new deal with Lonzo Ball, considering that the verdict is still out on the former UCLA star. While Ball showed great court vision and passing ability during his time in the NBA, he still has shooting struggles and didn’t show that he can be a difference-maker.

Ball, who was the No.2 pick in 2017, joined the Pelicans as part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis to LA Lakers last year. He finished his first season in New Orleans by averaging 11.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 63 games but hit only 40.3 percent from the field and made just 56.6 percent of his free throw attempts.

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James Harden Finally Joins Rockets’ Training Camp, Makes His Preseason Debut https://toppoptoday.com/james-harden-finally-joins-rockets-training-camp-makes-his-preseason-debut/ Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:05:00 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=8044 After holding out for several days, Houston Rockets’ superstar James Harden finally joined the team for training camp. Harden also made his preseason debut on Tuesday, playing in a 112-98 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Harden opted not to be in Houston for the start of the training camp, with sources describing his absence […]

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After holding out for several days, Houston Rockets’ superstar James Harden finally joined the team for training camp. Harden also made his preseason debut on Tuesday, playing in a 112-98 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Harden opted not to be in Houston for the start of the training camp, with sources describing his absence as a “holdout” in attempts to force a trade. The 31-year-old previously told the Rockets that he wants out as he believes the team isn’t competitive enough.

However, the Rockets took a patient approach and reportedly are not prepared to trade their best player unless they receive appropriate compensation.  Harden eventually caved in and ended his holdout although nothing changed about his intention to leave the franchise.

In his first preseason outing, Harden spent 21 minutes on the floor and had a rough shooting night, hitting three out of his 10 shots. He still managed to put up 12 points to go with three rebounds and four assists.

The performance still pleased Rockets’ new head coach Stephen Silas, who was happy to see Harden out on the floor. 

“He was good,” said Silas after the game. “I mean, he’s obviously a great player and can do so many things on the floor, on and off the ball. Defensively, he has great hands and makes plays, and is smart. So to have him out there was great.”

James Harden should get comfortable in Houston again, as there is a big chance he won’t be leaving the organization anytime soon despite his wishes. The Rockets reportedly have high demands that teams have been unwilling to meet so far. This includes getting back a young franchise star, a promising role player, and a chest of draft picks. 

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Pelicans’ Zion Williamson Expects to Have “No Restrictions” Next Season https://toppoptoday.com/pelicans-zion-williamson-expects-to-have-no-restrictions-next-season/ Tue, 08 Dec 2020 10:27:32 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=7880 Zion Williamson’s rookie season in the NBA was marked with various injury-related restrictions that limited the time New Orleans Pelicans’ star spent on the court. But the good news is that the 20-year-old doesn’t expect this to be the case anymore. During a chat with reporters on Sunday, Williamson said Pelicans’ head coach Stan Van […]

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Zion Williamson’s rookie season in the NBA was marked with various injury-related restrictions that limited the time New Orleans Pelicans’ star spent on the court. But the good news is that the 20-year-old doesn’t expect this to be the case anymore.

During a chat with reporters on Sunday, Williamson said Pelicans’ head coach Stan Van Gundy told him there will be “no restrictions” on his playing time for the 2020/21 NBA season.

“Me and coach Van Gundy have talked, and from what I know now, there are no restrictions. None,” said Williamson, while adding that he is looking forward to being able to play without any limitations.

Zion Williamson entered the league as Pelicans’ first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft but ended up having his debut postponed due to a meniscus injury he suffered in the preseason. When he finally did get to the NBA court, New Orleans opted for a cautious strategy and kept him on minute restrictions for the better part of his rookie campaign.

Williamson ended up playing 24 games while spending 27.8 minutes on the court on average. This didn’t stop him from putting up some dominant performances, and he finished the season by averaging 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

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Lakers Sign Superstar LeBron James to a 2-Year, $85 Million Extension https://toppoptoday.com/lakers-sign-superstar-lebron-james-to-a-2-year-85-million-extension/ Sun, 06 Dec 2020 10:10:46 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=7842 The Los Angeles Lakers and superstar LeBron James agreed to a two-year , $85 million contract extension. The deal was confirmed by James’ agency Klutch Sports Group on Wednesday. James, who previously had one year, $39.2 million left on his deal, will now remain with the franchise at least through 2022/23 NBA season. James helped […]

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The Los Angeles Lakers and superstar LeBron James agreed to a two-year , $85 million contract extension. The deal was confirmed by James’ agency Klutch Sports Group on Wednesday.

James, who previously had one year, $39.2 million left on his deal, will now remain with the franchise at least through 2022/23 NBA season.

James helped the Lakers to an NBA title last season, capturing his fourth ring in the process. He led the league in assists with 10.2 average during the regular season, while adding 25.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.

During the postseason, the 35-year-old James took it up a notch, scoring 27.6 points per game. His playoffs excellence resulted in the NBA Finals MVP award, which made him the only player in the history of the league to get this achievement with three different franchises. He previously won the award with the Miami Heat twice and once with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

By agreeing to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers for three more years, LeBron James has put himself in a position to add to his NBA Title count and get closer to Michael Jordan in the “greatest of all time” conversation. Lakers are favorites to repeat in 2020/21, having reportedly locked All-Star Anthony Davis to a long-term deal while adding several intriguing pieces to their roster, including Dennis Schroeder, Marc Gasol, and Montrezl Harrell.

If he maintains the level of play from previous seasons, James will also have a chance to get on top of most of the NBA’s all-time lists.

He already ranks No. 1 in scoring and steals in the playoffs while also having a realistic chance to catch Magic Johnson in the assists category.

In the regular-season rankings, James is currently third in scoring with 34,241 points, trailing Karl Malone (36,928) and the Lakers’ legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387). He would need to average at least 25.0 points per game in the next three years to emerge on top.

James can also get in the top five on the all-time assists leaders list and in the top 10 in the all-time steals leaders list before he wraps up his playing career.

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Lou Williams and Clippers Could Part Ways This Offseason https://toppoptoday.com/lou-williams-and-clippers-could-part-ways-this-offseason/ Mon, 30 Nov 2020 18:09:00 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=7747 Following a disappointing 2019/20 campaign, Los Angeles Clippers are having a busy offseason that could reportedly see them making more major roster changes in the future. According to NY Times’ Marc Stein, Clippers made three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams available in trade talks. Stein reports that the Clippers are looking to […]

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Following a disappointing 2019/20 campaign, Los Angeles Clippers are having a busy offseason that could reportedly see them making more major roster changes in the future. According to NY Times’ Marc Stein, Clippers made three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams available in trade talks.

Stein reports that the Clippers are looking to create a “fresh-start environment” and that the organization believes Williams’ exit would aid in this quest. 

Williams has put another productive season for the Clippers in 2019/20, averaging 18.1 points and 5.6 assists per game in the regular season. However, the lack of his performance on the defensive end and rumored locker room issues could lead to his exit.

There was chatter of bad team chemistry in the Clippers’ locker room last season that indicated that Williams, Motrelz Harrell, and Patrick Beverley are reportedly unhappy with the beneficial status of offseason acquisitions Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. It appears that the organization is siding with Leonard and George on this, as Harrell already left the team, and Williams is now set to follow.

There would certainly be a market for Lou Williams if the story is true, considering that he is a proven scorer who is able to get some buckets when the offense is stalling. The question here, however, is how much in return can Clippers get and whether they would be able to compensate for the loss of production.

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Wizards’ GM Tommy Sheppard: ”There Are no Plans to Trade John Wall” https://toppoptoday.com/wizards-gm-tommy-sheppard-there-are-no-plans-to-trade-john-wall/ Sun, 29 Nov 2020 18:51:00 +0000 https://toppoptoday.com/?p=7744 Washington Wizards’ point guard John Wall has been frequently mentioned in trade talks in recent weeks. There was chatter around the league that Wizards pitched a trade proposal to Houston Rockets that would see them swap Wall for All-Star Russell Westbrook while some reports even suggested that the 30-year-old player approached the organization and asked […]

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Washington Wizards’ point guard John Wall has been frequently mentioned in trade talks in recent weeks. There was chatter around the league that Wizards pitched a trade proposal to Houston Rockets that would see them swap Wall for All-Star Russell Westbrook while some reports even suggested that the 30-year-old player approached the organization and asked to be traded.  

However, even if some of these rumors are true, Wizards are not ready to acknowledge them and insist that Wall has a future with the franchise.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Washington’s general manager Tommy Sheppard denied that the team wants to trade the five-time All-Star.

“There are no plans to trade John,” said Sheppard. “Obviously, it’s unfortunate this time of year — I think the bait and tackle shop’s wide open for business.”

Sheppard also added that Wall ”didn’t request” to be traded and that “there’s no issues with John and the Wizards.”

John Wall was Washington’s No. 1 pick in the 2010 Draft and was perceived as one of the league’s most exciting point guards early on. But Wall’s reputation has been on a downhill trajectory in recent years as he struggled to remain healthy. He hasn’t been on the court for almost two years, dealing with a heel injury and ruptured Achilles, while playing just 73 games since the 2016/17 season.

The injury history alone would make it hard for Washington to trade the player but the task becoming even daunting considering his huge contract. Wall has three years and $132 million left on his contract.

This is probably why Wizards decided to move further with Wall on board, hoping that he can bounce back and return to his All-Star form.

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