NBA Blog: The NBA basketball news blog section of Inside Hoops
The Washington Wizards announced today the following injury update for forward Kyshawn George:
George, who sustained a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow on March 2 against the Houston Rockets, was evaluated Tuesday by elbow specialist Dr. Keith Meister at TMI Sports Medicine & Orthopedics in Arlington, Texas. Dr. Meister confirmed a Grade 2 distal UCL tear. The injury will continue to be treated conservatively, and George will be reevaluated in a week.
Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook recently underwent MRI imaging on his right foot after missing the last two games due to foot soreness. MRI imaging was consistent with irritation in the joint of the first toe on his right foot. Westbrook will be listed as out and further updates will be provided as appropriate.
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, who sustained a left ankle sprain on Wednesday, February 25, versus the Houston Rockets, was re-evaluated today. Murray continues to make good progress in the return to play process and has been approved to begin contact basketball activities.
The Memphis Grizzlies yesterday provided the following medical updates for guard Ja Morant, forward Brandon Clarke and center Zach Edey:
Morant continues to progress in his rehabilitation of a UCL sprain in his left elbow. Following a recent consultation to advise on lingering discomfort, it was recommended that Morant receive a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection to further optimize ligament healing. Morant will begin offloading the elbow following the injection and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, but he is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Clarke continues to progress in his rehabilitation of a right calf strain, but recent imaging indicated that additional healing is required prior to clearance for high-intensity court work. Clarke will continue his rehabilitation program and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, but he is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Edey today underwent a procedure to address lingering discomfort in his left elbow. He is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Brooklyn Nets have signed guard Malachi Smith to a second 10-day contract.
Smith (6’4”, 205) signed his first 10-day contract with the Nets on March 14. Across six games for Brooklyn, Smith holds averages of 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 19.6 minutes per contest on 50.0 percent shooting from the field and 50.0 percent shooting from 3-point range. He recorded a career-high 18 points to go along with two rebounds, four assists and a career-high three steals in 29 minutes on March 22 at Sacramento. Smith joined the Nets from Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, where he appeared in 39 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games (18 starts) recording averages of 14.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 28.7 minutes per game. The 26-year-old spent the previous two seasons (2023-25) in the NBA G League with the Rip City Remix (2023-24), Wisconsin Herd (2024) and Memphis Hustle (2024-25).
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Continental Resources today jointly announced a 15-year naming rights partnership for Continental Coliseum, the new state-of-the-art arena rising in downtown Oklahoma City. Demolition of the site is nearing completion, and the construction team will begin mobilizing soon. Continental Coliseum is targeted to open in late summer 2028, ushering in a new era for sports and entertainment in Oklahoma City. The Thunder will continue to play at Paycom Center until the new venue opens.
“We’re grateful to expand our partnership with Continental Resources and for their belief in our organization and in the future of Oklahoma City,” said Clayton I. Bennett, chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder. “We really wanted an Oklahoma partner for this transitional moment in the history of our city. We are proud to align with an organization that embodies the resilience, ambition, and spirit that define our state. As a company founded and built in Oklahoma, Continental shares our deep roots and enduring commitment to this state. Continental Coliseum will stand as a lasting symbol of that shared commitment — a place where our fans, our city, and our state unite to create unforgettable moments for generations.”
Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Continental Resources is the largest privately held oil and natural gas producer in the world.
The Washington Wizards have announced the following injury update for forward/center Anthony Davis:
Davis, who is out with ligament damage in his left hand, was reevaluated Thursday by Dr. Steven Shin of Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. It was determined that Davis’ recovery continues to progress positively, but the volar plate tissue in his left hand has not yet fully healed. Davis will continue with conservative treatment and advance his basketball activity as tolerated. He will be reevaluated at the end of the month
The Washington Wizards announced today the following injury update for guard Trae Young:
Young reinjured his right quadriceps, sustaining a contusion during the third quarter of the game against Golden State on March 16. Related imaging, due to ongoing back pain, confirmed lower back irritation. Both injuries are being treated conservatively and will not require surgery at this time.
The Orlando Magic have signed forward Jamal Cain, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.
Cain (6’7”, 207, 3/20/99) originally signed a two-way contract with Orlando on July 25, 2025. He has played in 27 regular season games this season with the Magic, averaging 3.5 ppg. and 1.1 rpg. in 8.0 minpg. Cain has scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 15 points on March 19 @ Charlotte.
Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Cain has appeared in 108 career NBA regular season games (one start) with Miami, New Orleans and Orlando, averaging 4.5 ppg. and 1.9 rpg. in 11.3 minpg. He has also played in 24 career NBA G League regular season games, all with Sioux Falls, averaging 22.7 ppg., 10.0 rpg., 2.9 apg. and 1.67 stlpg. in 36.0 minpg.
After further testing, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a left lung pneumothorax. Cunningham exited Tuesday’s game vs. the Wizards in the first quarter. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Per ESPN.com, ” sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania that the collapse of Cunningham’s lung is considered mild. There is some optimism that Cunningham will be back in time for the start of the playoffs, which begin on April 18, sources told Charania. “
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain following an MRI performed on Wednesday. Porter Jr. is currently listed as out and will be reevaluated in two to three weeks.
In his first season in Brooklyn, Porter Jr. has appeared in 52 games (all starts), averaging a career-high 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, a career-high 3.0 assists and a career-high-tying 1.1 steals in 32.5 minutes per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from 3-point range and 85.9 percent from the free-throw line. He leads the Nets and is tied for 20th in the NBA with 176 3-pointers made this season, which is the most through any player’s first 52 games with the team in franchise history. Porter Jr. has made at least five 3-pointers 16 times, which ranks as the third-most such games in a season in franchise history, and is tied for 14th in the NBA this season with a career-high 14 games of at least 30 points.