Bismack Biyombo cleared of any serious medical issues following fall, will be further evaluated.
During the first quarter of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s road contest against the Portland Trail Blazers, Bismack Biyombo fainted and fell backward as his teammates returned to the sidelines from a timeout.
The 31-year-old quickly regained consciousness and walked to the locker room for an evaluation.
Thankfully, the Trail Blazers physicians cleared him of any serious medical issues, per Thunder reporter Nick Gallo. The Thunder will rest him for the rest of the contest out of precaution as they will further evaluate him in the coming days.
This is great news to hear from a scary situation. The veteran center was a late addition to the Thunder roster after he was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies earlier this season.
Following the Thunder’s win over the Trail Blazers, Daigneault said that Biyombo was in good spirits at halftime, making jokes with his teammates.
Bismack Biyombo fell after the previous timeout. Thankfully, he got up on his own and walked off to the tunnel pic.twitter.com/PUWXsPXVTj
UPDATE: Biyombo took to social media to address everybody who was concerned following his collapse. In the video, he stated he is fine and appreciates everybody who reached out to him. He also said he will not miss any time following the scary situation.
Feeling blessed & grateful for everyone's love & concern. A big thank you to my teammates for their understanding. 🙏🏾All good here, just a bit of dehydration, but ready for tomorrow's game! Fasting has been my spiritual journey for over 15 years, thankful for every lesson. #God🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/kNvauf2Uve
Mark Daigneault clarifies Bismack Biyombo’s role with Thunder.
The Oklahoma City Thunder filled their final 15-player roster spot with the addition of veteran center Bismack Biyombo. He’ll be available for the Thunder in their first post-All-Star break contest against the LA Clippers on Thursday.
The 31-year-old was a prominent starter for the Memphis Grizzlies this season before being waived in January. In 30 games, he averaged 5.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault clarified his role, stating Biyombo will be used in spurts instead of being a regular part of OKC’s rotation. The six-foot-eight big provides the Thunder some size that can be advantageous against certain opponents.
“He is a great professional, very serious competitor, and I think will help the environment in that way,” Daigneault said.
As a third-string center, Biyombo is a great situational player who can match size for size against some of the larger frontcourts in the Western Conference. Daigneault said they were upfront about his role with him before he signed on for the rest of the season.
Biyombo joins Gordon Hayward as the Thunder’s newest additions to the roster. Hayward spoke with the media for the first time since being traded, declaring he’s ready to return after missing nearly two months with a calf strain.
Get to know new Thunder addition Bismack Biyombo after being signed.
The Oklahoma City Thunder strengthened their depth with the free-agent addition of Bismack Biyombo. The 31-year-old was a prominent starter for the Memphis Grizzlies this season before being waived in January.
In 30 games with the Grizzlies, Biyombo averaged 5.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.
Biyombo is expected to join the Thunder following the All-Star break as he gives them another option as a backup big. It’s a low-risk signing for someone who can provide spot minutes when needed off the bench.
He also provides OKC with some size, which is necessary considering how small its roster is.
Get to know Biyombo and what he can bring to the Thunder:
The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed veteran center Bismack Biyombo for the rest of the season, per multiple reports.
After the trade deadline, the Thunder had a pair of vacant 15-player rosters. Lindy Waters III was signed to one of them after being on a two-way deal. The other spot goes to Biyombo.
The 31-year-old played for 30 games for the Memphis Grizzlies this season before being waived on Jan. 10. He averaged 5.2 points on 56.3% shooting, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.
The 13-year veteran has bounced around the league and has primarily been used as a backup big. He’ll likely serve the same role for OKC, who lack size.
For his career, the 6-foot-8 center is averaging 5.1 points and six rebounds.
Let’s take a look at some of the best remaining free agents who the Celtics could consider signing.
The Boston Celtics are coming off a disappointing campaign that ended in elimination by the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals just when Boston hoped to get back to the NBA Finals. Since then, team president Brad Stevens has shaken up the roster by bringing on star big man Kristaps Porzingis while letting go of Marcus Smart and Grant Williams.
The team has made depth signings with Oshae Brissett and Dalano Banton, but the Celtics still need to address a few key areas. Chief among them is a point guard able to step into a bigger role if needed, but Boston now also needs depth at the guard, wing, forward, and big positions as well with between one and three roster spots pending team decisions on non-guaranteed players.
Let’s take a look at some of the best remaining free agents who the Celtics could consider signing on minimum deals to such an end.
Even after what most people consider a very solid, if not a great, free agency period this summer, the Los Angeles Lakers remain in serious need of another serviceable big man.
As of now, they have Anthony Davis, who is dominant but injury-prone and arguably more suited to playing the 4 than the 5, and Jaxson Hayes, a young, athletic center who has upside but is somewhat limited.
Executive Rob Pelinka has reiterated the Lakers’ desire to add one more big man to their roster, especially since they have two roster spots open. Reportedly, they’re considering either Christian Wood or Bismack Biyombo for one of those spots.
“Centers Christian Wood and Bismack Biyombo are in consideration for that 14th roster spot, according to team sources not authorized to speak publicly on the matter,” wrote Jovan Buha. “The Lakers had interest in Dario Saric before he signed with the Golden State Warriors earlier this week, those sources said. Pelinka clarified that Los Angeles is hoping to find a player that is different than Hayes from a skill-set perspective.”
While Hayes can block shots, run the floor and throw down thunderous dunks, Los Angeles could use a center that can physically match up with the Nikola Jokics and Joel Embiids of the league, as well as perhaps hit enough 3-pointers to open the court for Davis and LeBron James.
Wood could certainly do the latter, but he is considered a weak defensive player. Biyombo can set physical screens, rebound and block shots, but he lacks any outside shooting touch, and he is undersized for the 5 spot at 6-foot-8.
Phoenix Suns big man Bismack Biyombo discusses slowing down Joel Embiid in their win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The final stat line for Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid will read 28 points and 10 rebounds. However, it was a struggle as he shot just 8-for-19 from the floor and had to score from the free-throw line often as the Sixers fell to the Phoenix Suns 125-105.
Embiid still found a way to be impactful, but it wasn’t his best night. The Suns sent waves of defenders at him and he was forced into taking some tougher shots than what he’s used to. Phoenix big man Bismack Biyombo used his length and athleticism to bother him all night long and the big fella struggled along the way.
“I think just trusting the game plan that the coaches handed us,” Biyombo told reporters. “Usually to watch some of the clips of the previous games they had. Obviously, Joel is a great player. I think we tried to throw him different looks the whole night. Obviously, I had to guard him. When you play a player like that, it is always a team effort.”
Biyombo did have help. As he mentioned, it is a team effort and they bothered Embiid a bit in their win. Jock Landale, Torrey Craig, and others were nuisances in order to give him trouble.
“Thank God everything kind of worked out for us,” Biyombo added. “We were really focused on helping out one another. I think everyone did a good job. Our second unit was able to sustain us, T.J. Warren played extremely great, Terrence Ross played extremely great, Jock, Cameron Payne. Just play through each other and try to make sure we can maintain that energy.”
Now, as far as Embiid is concerned, he has been dealing with calf tightness and the Sixers have had to play a lot of games on the road with a lot of travel in a short amount of time. That could have played a factor on Saturday.
“We’ve been on the road since the All-Star break,” said Embiid. “A lot of road games. A lot of guys have been in and out of the lineup, so we just have to keep finding ways to win every single night. It has been tough, but that is where you have to find ways to win.”
The Sixers will wrap up a four-game road trip and a stretch of seven of eight games on the road on Monday when they face the Denver Nuggets.
Oh boy. We got ourselves an old fashioned tunnel confrontation in the NBA playoffs.
Game 5 of the Phoenix Suns’ Western Semifinals against the Dallas Mavericks was nearly over when the Mavs’ Marquese Chriss fouled Bismack Biyombo hard while the Phoenix big man was trying to throw down a last-second dunk in a blowout.
Maybe there was some “unwritten rules” thing Chriss objected to, but it was unnecessary that late. And both players got in each other’s faces, resulting in ejections.
But Chriss jogged into the tunnel where the Suns’ locker room was. And, well, let’s go from there about everything we know:
Phoenix Suns big man Bismack Biyombo gives his team all the frontcourt depth they need to succeed.
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Admit it. You probably didn’t think much of it when the Suns signed Bismack Biyombo, right? It wasn’t a huge deal at the time, but it is now.
It was the first day of the new year, and maybe you had other things on your mind. Plus, it was only a 10-day contract signed via the COVID-19 hardship exception. Most of those didn’t amount to much of anything at all. This one probably wasn’t going to move the needle, either.
But, I’ll tell you this much. Biyombo told HoopsHype he wasn’t coming for ten days. He was coming to make a statement. So far, that’s exactly what he has done.
During the regular season, Biyombo had some high-impact double-double performances. He was getting valuable minutes when the Suns were amidst their hottest win streak. It’s the playoffs, though, where his signing has stood out.
Last season, during the NBA Finals, the Suns outscored the Bucks during the 225 minutes Ayton was on the floor. Phoenix, however, was outscored by 23 points in the 63 minutes without their starting big man.
Biyombo, who has played well in the postseason, gives them insurance that will not happen again — even if both Ayton and JaVale McGee find they are in foul trouble.
He proved exactly that against the Mavericks, scoring 9 points in 18 minutes.
The Tip-Off
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
If you were surprised to learn that Miami’s Tyler Herro won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, you probably missed our predictive survey.
That’s okay, though. I get it. We post a lot of content. I can’t expect you to read all of it. (Although hopefully, this newsletter helps a little bit with that problem!)
Herro was an outstanding scorer who decimated other second units, and he epitomizes what the Sixth Man of the Year Award represents of late. His alma mater, Kentucky, should be proud. They showed enough pride that they even made a little graphic about it.
But, as my colleague Mike Sykes notes, it may be a bit rough on the eyes.
“This graphic is just…weird. The tweet is kind of weird, too, honestly. The hashtag #6MOTYLER is just…that’s a bit much. And the flyer itself? It looks like a club flyer of some sort.
Y’all know the flyers I’m talking about. The joints that get stuck to your windshield because the party promoter sneakily stuck it there while you were in the grocery store. Yes. Those flyers.”
Hopefully, if Miami wins the NBA title, Kentucky’s athletic department can send out a congratulatory post that earns their social media team the Most Improved Post award.
One to Watch
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
FRIDAY: Heat (-1.5, -120) vs. 76ers (+100), O/U 210.5, 7:00 PM ET
This game isn’t until tomorrow, but Philly has a must-win game against Miami on Friday evening. The Sixers are down 0-2 to start the series, which they are currently playing without Joel Embiid due to injury.
If they cannot win this game and fall down to 0-3, it’s possible we’ll have to start thinking about who may replace Doc Rivers — and where Rivers could go next.
The more pressing question: If he doesn’t play well, James Harden is headed into an offseason that has massive implications on his free agency. What will his future look like with another early exit?
Who’s in and out?
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
— Heat: Kyle Lowry (hamstring) is questionable against Philadelphia on Friday
— 76ers: Joel Embiid (head) and Georges Niang (knee) are both questionable against Miami on Friday
— Warriors: Gary Payton (elbow) is out for the season
— Celtics: Marcus Smart (quad) is questionable on Saturday against the Bucks
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There’s a lot more to life than basketball and on-court excellence. The impact you can make with your massive platform. The lives you can touch and change for the better. Long-time NBA veteran Bismack Biyombo certainly understands. And he’s responding in kind.
The Suns center is donating his 2022 salary — $1.36 million, to be precise — to build a hospital in his home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The decision was announced through a YouTube video by The Bismack Biyombo Foundation, which Biyombo originally started to help the place where he grew up.
The 29-year-old Biyombo said that he drew inspiration to build the hospital in hopes of honoring his late father — the hospital will bear his name — who passed away in 2021. While his foundation has already made renovations and updates to existing medical facilities in the Congo, Biyombo felt it was time to “go bigger” with a brand new hospital altogether.
“The reality is I wanted to gift him something that will continue to serve people under his name,” Biyombo said in his announcement.
It’s a noble mission for Biyombo. Helping many in need — what a way to pay tribute to your dad.
