Storyline: Lauri Markkanen Injury
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“I’m definitely feeling a lot better,” Carter said as the freshmen and sophomores prepared for practice. Continuously doing therapy. I want to be back the next game. That’s what I’m shooting for right now. I don’t know if that’s going to happen; that’s definitely what I’m shooting for.” The Bulls are hoping that Carter as well as Otto Porter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen will return to play during the next week or two and the Bulls can take a shot and make one final push for that long discussed playoff goal for this season. Carter still believes it’s possible despite the season of setbacks and disappointments. Plus, Carter said after a shaky start he’s on board with coach Jim Boylen.
Mike McGraw: Markkanen said he started to feel the hip pain about a week to 10 days ago, thought it was something he could have played through and was surprised by the diagnosis. But he said after talking to doctors, he agreed sitting out was best option. #Bulls
KC Johnson: Here’s another sign that this Markkanen move is largely precautionary: Told that if this were playoffs, he’d be playing. And as recently as this morning, Markkanen insisted he could play tonight. One benefit: This rest will give time for his ankle to heal.
Lauri Markkanen out for around a month
Shams Charania: Bulls’ Lauri Markkanen will miss 4-to-6 weeks with stress reaction of his right pelvis.
KC Johnson: Initial examination shows Lauri Markkanen suffered sprained left ankle, per source. Bulls at Mavericks Monday. Markkanen’s playing status updated later today.
Mike McGraw: Markkanen practiced today, should be able to play Sun at Indiana. Might be sore after leaving last night’s game early with an injury to his side, Boylen said. #Bulls
Lauri Markkanen cleared to resume basketball activities
Darnell Mayberry: Bulls announce Lauri Markkanen has been cleared to resume full basketball related activities after completing thorough examinations from cardiologists at both Rush University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University.
KC Johnson: Markkanen said he will practice some and travel with team as if he’s “regular NBA player,” wearing heart monitor to give Bulls medical staff additional info.
KC Johnson: Jim Boylen said Lauri Markkanen was expressing desire to play last night as late as 2 pm Weds. Markkanen told people he planned individual workout on day off today. Point is: Markkanen is upbeat after initial battery of tests. Bulls will continue to monitor/additional testing.
Shams Charania: Bulls say precautionary tests on Markkanen have been normal after “an episode of a rapid heart rate and fatigue” on Tuesday night, and he will have additional testing in next 10-14 days. Markkanen had a strong second season, averaging 18 points and nine rebounds.
Lauri Markkanen has been undergoing a series of tests to determine the cause of an episode of a rapid heart rate and fatigue during the game in Toronto on March 26. At this point all testing has been normal, but as a precaution, the medical team has recommended additional testing over the next 10-14 days. Markkanen will not return for the remainder of the season.
“The long-term health of our players is always our organization’s top priority,” said John Paxson, Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. “We will continue to monitor Lauri’s condition and work with our medical staff and doctors to provide him with everything he may need.”
Darnell Mayberry: Update on Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen, who will miss tonight’s game against Portland. pic.twitter.com/gJuDcy01qw
KC Johnson: Lauri Markkanen: “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. I’m just excited to get back out there.”
KC Johnson: Markkanen: “I’m not worried about my shot.”
KC Johnson: Look for Markkanen’s minutes to be “somewhere in the 20s,” per Hoiberg.
KC Johnson: One more from Lauri Markkanen, on his elbow: “I feel good. I’ve got a couple practices in and no pain, so that’s a good sign. There’s been nothing the next day after practice. I’ve been playing normally. So that’s good.”
KC Johnson: Lauri Markkanen: “I’m really excited. The elbow feels pretty good.”
Mike McGraw: Lauri Markkanen says the elbow is a little stiff, takes a while to warm up, but it feels good; doesn’t bother him to shoot long-range. His return? “Hopefully soon.” #Bulls pic.twitter.com/qWzqzXK2wg
Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen is moving closer to his season debut after spraining his right elbow in September. Markkanen has been cleared to “fully participate in practice” on Tuesday, coach Fred Hoiberg said. If that goes well, a timeline for Markkanen’s return could come into focus.
Mike McGraw: Hoiberg says Markkanen is planning to do some contact tomorrow, hoping he’ll be ready for full practice shortly after. Said Dunn & Portis ran at 80% #Bulls
Bulls injury update per Fred Hoiberg: Lauri Markkanen is shooting from deeper range, but is still 1-2 weeks away from playing with contact. Hoiberg says they will likely utilize the Windy City Bulls — the G League affiliate — to help get him back into game shape. Denzel Valentine’s time frame is still “up in the air.”
The original timetable called for Markkanen to miss six to eight weeks, but Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg bumped that back to eight to 10 weeks before the game against the Mavericks. The Bulls want to make sure Markkanen is pain-free and fully conditioned for the grind of the regular-season schedule when he returns. ‘‘He’s still not shooting a lot,’’ Hoiberg said. ‘‘He’s shooting short-range shots. He’s getting really good conditioning workouts in, so when he is cleared to start shooting and has no pain in that type of activity, hopefully he can get back soon as far as when he’s cleared for contact. He’s doing as much as he can right now.’’
Joe Cowley: According to Hoiberg, Markkanen (right elbow) is at least another two weeks from being cleared for contact, and then likely another two weeks to make sure there are no setbacks. Late November, might now be mid to late December before his return.
“Lauri had a good day as far as conditioning,’’ Hoiberg said. “Did more than he has. Denzel did some straight-ahead running and spot shooting, still has not cut on ankle. We’ll try to get Lauri in game shape as quickly as possible.’’
Malika Andrews: Lauri Markkanen is walking around without a brace. Fred Hoiberg says he is looking at the same timetable for a return but seeing him without a brace is a “relief.”
Darnell Mayberry: Lauri Markkanen on his injury.
KC Johnson: Something else of note as Bulls practice/media access nears this AM: By all accounts, Markkanen had played like a monster in informal Sept. workouts and first 2 days of camp.
Vincent Goodwill: Lauri Markkanen out 6-8 weeks with a high grade lateral elbow sprain (right). Sustained the injury Thursday. Big blow to the Bulls
Vincent Goodwill: Kris Dunn will be out tomorrow, along with Lauri Markkanen. Zach LaVine will be a game time decision with tendinitis. Skeleton crew against Cavs, perhaps
KC Johnson: Lauri Markkanen late scratch with lower back spasms. Noah Vonleh will start.
Nick Friedell: Fred Hoiberg says Lauri Markkanen (back) will play tonight vs. Sixers. He will not be on a minutes restriction but Bulls will watch him closely.
Vincent Goodwill: Lauri Markkanen will not play tonight; didn’t travel with the team. Status for Monday vs. Philly unknown
Mike McGraw: Hoiberg said Lauri Markkanen is feeling better today, plans to do non-contact portions of practice. Sounds like it’s possible he plays Wed vs Utah, but #Bulls won’t push it, obviously.
Vincent Goodwill: Lauri Markkanen will be out tonight. Had back spasms flare up this afternoon. Will get treatment tonight and tomorrow. Nikola Mirotic will start
Nick Friedell: Lauri Markkanen (ankle) expects to play tomorrow vs. Thunder.
Mike McGraw: Markkanen on the elliptical machine; Hoiberg hopes to have him back on court tomorrow with ankle sprain. #Bulls
Markkanen practiced for the third straight day Saturday and has been cleared, barring an unexpected Sunday setback, to make his preseason debut against the Pelicans after overcoming back spasms.
Vincent Goodwill: Bulls rookie Lauri Markkanen will miss the first two games of the preseason with back spasms. Fred Hoiberg said it’s not a long term concern
Mike McGraw: #Bulls say Lauri Markkanen left today’s morning practice with back spasms. Status: day-to-day.
Stephen Noh: Markkanen steps out of bounds on game-tying attempt, injures himself on the play. He’s being helped off the court after the game.
Vincent Goodwill: Hearing from Bulls personnel that Markkanen’s injury isn’t bad, and it’s likely he plays Sunday
While Lauri Markannen in his effort to tie the game against Slovenia was injured, Finland’s coach Henrik Dettman denied that anything major happened.
August 14, 2020 | 1:12 am EDT Update
Mark Medina: Gregg Popovich on the Spurs’ playoff streak ending (1998-2020): “That’s fake news. That’s total fake news! Lots of guys have been telling me the streak hasn’t ended! I talk to people all the time. They call me. They tell me, ‘Pop, the streak didn’t end! It didn’t end!'”
The final buzzer sounded Thursday night with the Utah Jazz topping San Antonio 118-112, officially eliminating the Spurs from contention for a Western Conference play-in spot and ending their record-tying run of 22 consecutive postseason appearances. “It means a lot to a lot of people probably, but I don’t dwell on the past,” said legendary Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who captured five NBA titles during that span. “That stuff’s totally [not] important; what’s important is the moment you do what you’ve got to do then you move on, but looking at the past doesn’t do much good. Any success we’ve had has been because we’ve had some great players.”
Though the NBA saved itself from losing more than $1 billion by not canceling its season, the league will still suffer substantial revenue losses due to Covid-19. That will likely affect Oladipo’s next contract, as the players will see a drop in income available. Oladipo said his current concern is helping the Pacers in the NBA bubble and “continuing to strengthen my knee.” “I’m just focused on doing what I can to help my team the best way I can,” he said. “One day, it will all click again, and then I can worry about those other things when the time comes.”
So when the Kings’ season ended Thursday, and Hield was asked if he’s comfortable with his role off the bench in Sacramento heading into next season, his answer raised some eyebrows. Including, I’d imagine, some in Philadelphia. Here’s what Hield had to say: [Hield] provided a series of short answers during a Zoom session with reporters and offered a cryptic response when asked if he could be content with his role going into next season. “Y’all know me,” Hield said. “Y’all know how I talk. Y’all know how I feel. Y’all can read me well, so I’ll let y’all answer that yourselves.”
Justin Kubatko: Most points scored by a player over the final three games of a regular season: 154 – Damian Lillard, 2019-20 128 – Dominique Wilkins, 1985-86 128 – Michael Jordan, 1986-87 128 – Kobe Bryant, 2005-06 127 – David Thompson, 1977-78 127 – Russell Westbrook, 2014-15
For New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson, it’s time to turn the page to next season and focus on getting better — with his game and his body. “I’ll talk to my coaches and see what I need to do better from their point of view,” Williamson said Thursday morning. “Talk to my player development coaches as well, see what I need to do better from their point of view. Just work on every part of my game and work on getting my body where it needs to be.”
If the Warriors land the top selection in October’s draft, they’ll likely take Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards. Golden State believes, per a league source, that Edwards is one of the few players available in this draft who can contribute immediately and develop into a face of the franchise within the next few seasons.
Given how fluid this draft is, the Warriors could draft the same player at No. 5 that they’d eye with the No. 2 pick. According to league sources, Israeli small forward Deni Avdija, Iowa State point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Florida State shooting guard Devin Vassell and Auburn small forward Isaac Okoro are among the players Golden State would consider in that range.
With so much time spent off the court since his injury in January 2019, Oladipo stayed productive in other ways, including through business. Like numerous athletes, Oladipo has taken an interest in tech investing, and is particularly excited about his stake in a sports marketing company called Genies, which creates and licenses avatars of celebrities, mostly on social media.
The first game-worn jerseys from the NBA’s restart in Orlando have hit the auction block. NBA Auctions has launched a group of 58 jerseys from the league’s first few games in the “bubble” including those donned by LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson. Jerseys worn by members of the Lakers, Pelicans, Spurs and Nets are the first to reach the auction block from games played after the league stopped play in March due to COVID-19. Most of the jerseys are game-worn while a few were made for players who didn’t see action.
Google may finally end the internet tradition of traffic-grabbing how-to-watch posts with a new search feature that will display local TV and streaming options for NBA and MLB games when you search phrases like “how to watch the Lakers games.” The new feature is rolling out in the US today, and it can incorporate your location data to help you figure out which specific local channel is airing the game you want to watch. The new TV options will also appear on Google’s existing sport game search widgets alongside things like the box score or time remaining in the game.
Taylor Rooks: CJ McCollum’s shirt post game. Breonna Taylor’s picture on the front. Daniel Cameron (Attorney general of Kentucky) phone number on the back pic.twitter.com/eVbhgJ6s6k
Steve Kerr: Read this, and then read it again. He is literally TELLING US that he is interfering in the election by not funding the USPS.
Toronto Raptors assistant coach Adrian Griffin on Thursday denied a series of domestic violence accusations made by his ex-wife in a social media post. In a message posted to Twitter, Audrey Griffin said Adrian Griffin had repeatedly abused her, including choking her, throwing her into a wall with enough force to leave a hole and dragging her across a lawn while she was pregnant. “This morning, accusations were made against me on social media by my former wife that I vehemently deny,” Adrian Griffin said in a statement released by the Raptors. “We are involved in a longstanding legal dispute over alimony and child support arrangements. I am disappointed to have to address false accusations in this way, and I apologize for any distraction this has potentially caused for our team at this important time.”
The Raptors also issued a separate statement on the matter. “When we saw these allegations this morning, we were dismayed — Adrian is a valuable member of our team,” the team said in the statement. “Our leadership immediately spoke with him, and he flatly denied the allegations in the posts. We will support the process as he and his former partner settle these matters.” Audrey Griffin had previously made similar allegations of abuse on social media. On Thursday, she wrote in part, “How can someone do ALL of this and get away with it. … I will tell you how… just be in the NBA and win a game in the bubble. Cinderfella. That’s how. Simple.”
August 13, 2020 | 9:14 pm EDT Update
Andy Larsen: The Jazz’s regular season comes to a close with a 118-112 win over the Spurs. They finish the season with a 44-28 record, which is a 50-win pace nearly on the nose. Next up: Denver, in the playoffs. 11:30 AM Monday.
August 13, 2020 | 8:05 pm EDT Update
August 13, 2020 | 7:49 pm EDT Update
NBA releases full first-round playoff schedule
Marc Stein: First-round playoff schedules from the NBA … pic.twitter.com/4EEpmrWqA0
Joe Mullinax: Jonas says that Ja “became a big man” in this game.
Marc J. Spears: Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn says he is using same starting lineup of late against Portland and “our guys have the mental makeup to play a competitive game.” pic.twitter.com/NSjGByNwnT
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James’ voting-rights group has partnered with the Los Angeles Dodgers to make Dodger Stadium a polling place for the November general election, marking the first time a Major League Baseball team has offered its facility as a voting center.
The initiative, which was announced Thursday afternoon, came together after More Than a Vote, the group James created in late June to combat voter suppression, teamed with the Dodgers, who have used the stadium as a site for coronavirus testing and food distribution in recent months.
“Dodger Stadium is part of the fabric of Los Angeles, and we’re proud to continue to partner with the County to make the property available for the benefit of the community at large,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a news release. “Voting is all of our civic duty, and we’re excited to work with More than a Vote to do anything we can to help get out the vote by making this process as easy, accessible and safe for all Angelenos.”
August 13, 2020 | 7:18 pm EDT Update
Gerald Bourguet: Devin Booker: “I’m proud of this group regardless.”
Gerald Bourguet: Devin Booker on the Suns’ recent hard times: “You develop a reputation that you don’t want. I think we changed that here.”
Marc J. Spears: “We changed the narrative. We changed how people think about us,” #Suns star @Devin Booker pic.twitter.com/yR3XNTgsHO
Taylor Rooks: “We put ourselves here. We were in a situation where we were behind too much…..it’s on us. We can’t blame anybody. We got to take care of our business before it’s too late. We can’t blame anybody if we don’t make it.” – Ricky Rubio when asked about the Suns playoff scenario
Joe Mullinax: Dillon Brooks is up next. He says that he prioritized finding his shot and helping the team win. pic.twitter.com/3yAbBcTqYC
