Jimmy Butler‘s return from his seven-game suspension hasn’t changed the Heat‘s desire to work out a trade before the February 6 deadline, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack column (subscription required). Butler was back in the starting lineup and played 33 and 28 minutes as Miami split a pair of weekend games, but concerns remain that the relationship will continue to … [Read more...] about Stein’s Latest: Butler, Beal, Okogie, C. Johnson, Mavericks
Community Shootaround: Western Conference Playoff Race
Of the 15 teams in the Western Conference, only two are clearly focused more on the 2025 draft lottery than the 2024/25 standings. The 10-31 Jazz and 14-28 Trail Blazers don’t have realistic postseason aspirations this season, with management prioritizing the development of young players and the possibility of landing another high draft pick. Those two teams are sandwiching the … [Read more...] about Community Shootaround: Western Conference Playoff Race
Mavs’ Lively Has Fracture In Ankle, Expected To Miss 2-3 Months
4:42pm: Lively suffered a stress fracture in his right ankle and will be reevaluated in four weeks, the Mavericks announced (via Twitter). 12:20pm: Mavericks center Dereck Lively has been diagnosed with a small fracture in his right foot and is expected to be sidelined for the next two-to-three months, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. Lively has missed the past three games due … [Read more...] about Mavs’ Lively Has Fracture In Ankle, Expected To Miss 2-3 Months
Southwest Notes: Wembanyama, France Trip, Pelicans Comeback, Green, Mavs’ Injuries
Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama will play two games in his native France this week against the Pacers. It’s an opportunity he doesn’t take lightly, The Athletic’s Joe Vardon writes. “There are a lot of emotions, seeing familiar people, whether from the club or even from the city,” Wembanyama said. “It’s a bit like two worlds meeting. It’s special, you don’t expect that in a … [Read more...] about Southwest Notes: Wembanyama, France Trip, Pelicans Comeback, Green, Mavs’ Injuries
Mavericks Notes: Injuries, Irving, Gafford, Exum, Washington
The shorthanded Mavericks lost to Charlotte, 110-105, on Monday afternoon. Dallas has lost nine of its last 12 games, all with Luka Doncic sidelined by a calf strain. Dereck Lively (right ankle sprain) was downgraded from questionable to out earlier in the day, while Quentin Grimes (back spasms) was a late scratch, Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal notes. Jaden Hardy … [Read more...] about Mavericks Notes: Injuries, Irving, Gafford, Exum, Washington