Recap: OKC Blue collect 115-99 win over Birmingham Squadron

Recap: OKC Blue collects 115-99 win over Birmingham Squadron.

The G League’s OKC Blue collected a 115-99 win over the visiting Birmingham Squadron on Wednesday.

Leading 26-25 after the first quarter, the Blue (19-13) outscored the Squadron, 30-17, in the second frame to enter halftime with a 56-42 lead. The Blue scored 33 points in the third quarter and entered the final frame with an 89-77 advantage.

OKC cruised with a 26-point final frame. It led by as many as 27 points in the double-digit win.

The Blue shot 46% from the field and went 16-of-44 (36.4%) from 3. They dished 34 assists on 42 baskets. OKC outrebounded Birmingham, 67-37. Six Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Squadron was limited to 35% from the field and went 12-of-48 (25%) from 3. They had 27 assists on 33 baskets. Four Squadron players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, 1-of-3 from 3, 11 rebounds, nine assists, three blocks
  • Adam Flagler: 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 7-of-12 from 3, two assists
  • Olivier Sarr: 22 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 26 rebounds
  • Keyontae Johnson: 20 points on 9-of-18 shooting, 2-of-7 from 3, five rebounds, three assists
  • Lindy Waters III: 13 points on 5-of-17 shooting, 1-of-10 from 3, eight rebounds, three assists
  • E.J. Liddell: 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting, 2-of-8 from 3, nine rebounds, two assists
  • Malcolm Hill: 19 points on 6-of-18 shooting, 1-of-9 from 3, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals
  • Dyson Daniels: 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 3-of-6 from 3, six assists, seven steals
  • Jalen Crutcher: 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting, 4-of-8 from 3, six assists, three rebounds, three steals

The full highlights from the Blue’s 16-point win over the New Orleans Pelicans’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not 100% healthy, playing through quad injury

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not 100% healthy, playing through quad injury.

Over the last handful of games, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had a noticeable dip in production.

In his last three contests, he’s averaged 19.7 points on 44% shooting, six assists and five rebounds. He has shot 18.2% from 3 on 3.7 attempts. The drive-heavy guard has played a tame version of his style, settling for contested midrange jumpers.

After the Oklahoma City Thunder’s exciting win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Gilgeous-Alexander revealed he’s been dealing with a quad injury. He sustained it in last week’s win over the Utah Jazz. This aligns with the recent string of subpar outings.

“Little banged up in my quad since the Utah game,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Just take it day by day, see how I feel when I wake up.”

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault added Gilgeous-Alexander is not fully healthy right now and that it’s something they’ll monitor during the final weeks of the regular season.

“He’s banged up, for sure. He’s not 100%. We’re monitoring it, but he’s certainly not a hundred percent,” Daigneault said. “I’ll let him speak on it.”

It’s also important to note that at this point of the season, most players are likely dealing with ailments. Considering he’s played in three games since the incident and hasn’t been listed on the injury report, it must not be a serious matter.

But if the injury continues to be a hindrance, the smarter route would likely involve giving Gilgeous-Alexander some days off. He’s played in 70 of OKC’s 71 games this season.

If the Thunder are to make a run in the playoffs, they’ll need their MVP candidate to be as close to fully healthy as possible.

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Full injury report for Tuesday’s Thunder vs. Pelicans matchup

Full injury report for Tuesday’s Thunder vs. Pelicans matchup.

The Oklahoma City Thunder wrap up a three-game road trip when they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. It’ll be the first night of a back-to-back for OKC.

The Thunder (49-21) enter the contest with a clean bill of health. Ousmane Dieng, Keyontae Johnson and Adam Flagler (G League) are out.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans (44-27) continue to be without their second-best player. Brandon Ingram (knee contusion) is out. He’ll be reevaluated in a little more than a week.

Dyson Daniels (knee meniscectomy) also is out due to injury. E.J. Liddell,  Malcolm Hill and Dereon Seabron are in the G League.

Both teams look to improve their position in the standings as the regular season winds down.

In their last contest, the Thunder suffered one of their worst losses of the season, a 25-point blowout to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. OKC was limited to 93 points on 37% shooting.

Meanwhile, the Ingram-less Pelicans cruised to an easy win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. 

This will be the final matchup between the Thunder and Pelicans this season. The teams split the first two meetings. Last time, OKC collected a lopsided win over New Orleans on Jan. 26.

Tipoff from New Orleans is set for 7 p.m. CT.

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Nets’ Cam Thomas expresses exhaustion over lack of following through

After Tuesday’s 104-91 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas spoke on the exhaustion of not getting things done.

NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets have had a trying season as they have talked a big game, but there doesn’t seem to be much coming from that. To be clear, Brooklyn is doing as much as it can to turn their season around, but the lack of reward for their effort is becoming exhausting.

“Yeah, it’s really exhausting,” Nets guard Cam Thomas said when asked after Tuesday’s 104-91 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans if it becomes exhausting to address the team not doing what they have repeatedly said they have to. Tuesday’s loss to the Pelicans was another disappointing reminder of how far Brooklyn still has to go as a team, but that is also needed.

“But, at the same time, we have to do it so we don’t say this same stuff over and over,” Thomas said. “We just have to go out there and do what we say up here, you know? Even down to me. Everybody. We have to do what we say up here. The effort, energy, whatever all that is, we just have to do it.”

While New Orleans have been one of the better teams in the NBA up to this point, the Nets are faced with a task of winning as many games as possible so that they can make it into the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. However, after Tuesday’s loss, Brooklyn is now 4.5 games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the 10th and final seed in the East with 13 games left to play.

Throughout this season, the goal from ownership to the players has been to make the postseason, but with the team seemingly at risk of being eliminated from the postseason any day now, those aspirations will just be words. “So, we just have to do it like we can say it all we want, we just have to keep doing it and just apply it,” Thomas explained.

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Nets full injury report for Tuesday matchup against Pelicans

Here is the full injury report for the Brooklyn Nets heading into their matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.

The Brooklyn Nets are hanging out to their hopes of making the Eastern Conference play-in tournament by a thread as they have not taken advantage of what opportunity was ahead of them following the All-Star break. The one thing that can be said about Brooklyn is that they have been healthy and that looks to continue on Tuesday.

In the Nets’ initial injury report released on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s tough matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn is going to be mostly healthy for the game. However, forward Dorian Finney-Smith is listed as questionable for the contest due to left ankle soreness.

This listing is more concerning than when he was listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday’s game at the San Antonio Spurs for the same injury. On that report, Finney-Smith was listed as probable and his status was never downgraded so it always looked like he was going to play unless something unforeseen happened during warmups.

This time around, Finney-Smith is starting off as questionable so there is a possibility that he could be downgraded prior to Tuesday’s tip-off, even though the Nets need him on the floor. Finney-Smith, 30, is averaging 8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 42.7% from the field and 36.6% from three-point land.

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The Pelicans savagely roasted Stephen A. Smith with 1 picture after he talked about Zion Williamson’s weight on First Take

The Pelicans clapped back at Stephen A. Smith for Zion

Stephen A. Smith has never been one to hold back whatever criticisms he has about anybody, but that especially seems to be the case for Zion Williamson. Particularly when it comes to his weight.

If you’ve been following the NBA at all over the last few years then you know Williamson’s weight and his conditioning have been a huge talking point in NBA circles. It’s been that way for a while now. Folks both inside and out of the Pelicans organization have critiqued his habits. 

But when Smith does it? Whew, boy. There’s a little extra spiciness that comes with it. Just a few months ago he told everybody that he’d heard Williamson would “eat the table” while he was going on a bizarre rant about the Pelicans star’s weight.

Smith was back at it again on Friday. He completely tears him up here. It’s wild.

“Zion Williamson, it’s not about his game. It’s about how many burgers he’s eating and whether or not he’s going to be in shape or keep eating McDonald’s and have chefs clamoring for him to come to their restaurants. That’s what he has to prove — that the chefs don’t love him anymore.” 

This is so strange, man. Especially because the Pelicans are the 5th seed in the West and Zion is playing pretty well right now. This rant feels totally misplaced and more like an attack.

That’s alright, though. Because the Pelicans have Zion’s back. The team dropped this tweet here and ended everything.

Those are Stephen A. Smith’s numbers at Winston-Salem State University. That’s all it took.

This was so petty. Fans loved it.

Takeaways: In loss to Pelicans, Rockets bullied inside by Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas

Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas combined for 47 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists on 64% shooting as New Orleans bullied Houston in Thursday’s blowout loss.

In their first game coming out of the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break, the Rockets (24-31) continued their road misery with Thursday’s 127-105 loss (box score) in New Orleans. Houston is 5-22 away from home this season and has lost six of its last seven, overall, while the Pelicans (34-22) won for the eighth time in nine games.

Houston’s frontcourt of Alperen Sengun, Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. struggled to offer much resistance against the bruising, physical front line of Jonas Valanciunas and Zion Williamson.

Key statistics for the Pelicans included:

  • Valanciunas: 20 points, 14 rebounds in 27 minutes; 9-of-12 shooting (75%), 2-of-2 on 3-pointers
  • Williamson: 27 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals in 35 minutes; 12-of-21 shooting (57.1%)
  • C.J. McCollum: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists in 31 minutes; 11-of-22 shooting (50%), 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40%)

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 20 points and 9 rebounds while shooting 6-of-9 from the field (66.7%). However, many of those statistics were tallied in the second half of a blowout, and his defense against Valanciunas left much to be desired.

On the perimeter, it was another subpar shooting night for Jalen Green, who finished with 10 points in 24 minutes while shooting 3-of-14 from the field (21.4%) and 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25%).

Rookie guard Amen Thompson was the bright spot for Houston, finishing with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting (69.2%) and 1-of-3 from 3-point range (33.3%). The athletic 6-foot-7 reserve also stuffed the stat sheet with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks.

Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) remained sidelined for the Rockets, who have not seen their versatile second-year forward play since Jan. 1. Houston is 12-10 with Eason this season and 12-21 without him. Brandon Ingram (illness) was out for the Pelicans.

Here’s our look at Thursday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Fortunately for the Rockets, next up is Friday’s game versus Phoenix at Toyota Center, where Houston is 19-9 this season. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.

Rockets at Pelicans, Feb. 22: Lineups, how to watch, injury reports, uniforms

Fred VanVleet is back in the lineup as Houston (24-30) looks to turn things around after the All-Star break, starting Thursday in New Orleans.

Ime Udoka isn’t yet ready to make any changes to Houston’s usual starting lineup. But as the Rockets resume play Thursday in New Orleans after a week off for the NBA’s annual All-Star break, he’s making it clear that improvement from that group is sorely needed.

Fortunately, the Rockets have reinforcements on the way. Veteran point guard Fred VanVleet is back after missing five games with a left adductor strain, and that could potentially help guide young players such as Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun.

Rookie swingman Cam Whitmore is returning, as well, after sitting out Houston’s previous three games with a right ankle sprain.

But, is that enough to change results? It might not be, particularly when considering the upcoming schedule. Starting Thursday versus the Pelicans, Houston’s next six games are against New Orleans, Phoenix (three times), and Oklahoma City (twice). All are in the top six of the current Western Conference standings.

Four of those six are on the road, where Houston is just 5-21 this season, and they’ve lost six straight road contests overall.

Pelicans draftee Karlo Matkovic to join Birmingham Squadron in G League

Karlo Matkovic, the 52nd pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Pelicans, will reportedly join the Birmingham Squadron in the G League.

Karlo Matkovic, the 52nd pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, will reportedly join the Birmingham Squadron in the G League, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Matkovic, who was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has played the past two seasons with KK Cedevita Olimpija in Slovenia. He averaged 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.1 steals on 63% shooting from the field in 34 games this season.

The 6-foot-10 forward played with the Pelicans in the NBA Summer League last year, averaging seven points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, one assist and one steal in four appearances. He had his best game on July 11: 13 points, five rebounds and three blocks.

The Pelicans hold the draft rights to Matkovic and opted to have him start with the Squadron, who have 13 games left in the regular season. He could finish the season in the G League and then join the Pelicans for the postseason.

Matkovic has also represented Croatia in several international events, most recently in the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket. He averaged six points and 3.5 rebounds on 77.8% shooting from the field in six appearances as Croatia finished in 12th place.

The 22-year-old is highly touted for his ability on both ends of the court. He has great mobility at his size and can run the floor well on offense and protect the paint on defense. He has shown improvement with his shot, converting 42.6% shooting from 3-point range this season.

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NBA Rising Stars 2024: Bennedict Mathurin unanimously named MVP to lead Team Jalen to title

Pacers sophomore Bennedict Mathurin was unanimously named MVP of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Jalen to the championship.

Indiana Pacers sophomore Bennedict Mathurin on Friday was unanimously named MVP of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Jalen to the championship in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mathurin produced 18 points in the opening game as Team Jalen defeated Team Tamika. He had four points, two assists and one steal in a 26-13 win in the final over Team Detlef, which consisted of seven of the top players in the G League.

While Mathurin did the bulk of the scoring in the semifinal round, Dereck Lively II had six points and Jordan Hawkins and Jalen Williams each chipped in five points in the final. Williams drained the game-winning 3-pointer to end it for Team Jalen.

The event featured four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament for the third straight year. The two semifinal games were played to a target score of 40, and the championship game was played to a target score of 25.

The pool of players for the game consisted of 11 rookies, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The players from the NBA were selected by assistant coaches and the players from the G League were selected by the league office.

The four teams were coached by Hall of Famer Pau Gasol, Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and former Pacers standouts Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf, who led the G League team.

Here is how the teams performed in the event.