COVID protocols update: Harden, LaVine cleared and can play; Beal, KAT enter

By Kurt HelinDec 23, 2021, 8:27 PM EST

The NBA’s Christmas Day slate looks a little more interesting after today.

That’s because the Brooklyn Nets — who have had their last three games postponed because they could not dress eight healthy players — said that not only would they be able to field a team on Christmas to take on the Lakers, they would have at least one of their big three healthy in James Harden.

Here are some of the big names and roster moves tied to COVID protocols around the NBA Thursday:

• Nets clear James Harden, Paul Millsap to play. The Brooklyn Nets will not take the court Thursday night in Portland because the league had postponed this game a couple of days ago when 10 Nets players were in protocol. However, on Thursday, Steve Nash told reporters that James Harden, Paul Millsap, and Jevon Carter were out of protocol and could play Christmas Day in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

James Harden and Paul Millsap are out of health and safety protocols according to Steve Nash.

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) December 23, 2021

However, three more Nets players entered protocols.

Steve Nash said Cam Thomas, David Duke and Kessler Edwards are in health and safety protocols.

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) December 23, 2021

That’s one star back. Kevin Durant entered health and safety protocols on Dec. 18, which will be a week before the Saturday game. While the NBA quarantine period for vaccinated players is 10 days (meaning KD would miss the Christmas game) they can return earlier if they have two consecutive negative tests within 24 hours. Nash said he did not expect other players to clear protocols before Saturday.

Kyrie Irving is unvaccinated, which means he has to quarantine for 10 days and produce five negative tests before practicing with the team again. He will not play against the Lakers. Los Angeles will be without one of its stars, Anthony Davis, due to a sprained knee.

• Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns enters protocols. Karl-Anthony Towns is serious about the vaccine.

“I’ve gotten the vaccine, as a matter of fact I’ve also gotten the booster as well,” Towns told NBC Sports last month. “I am a fan of the vaccines having seen what COVID has done to my family and to me personally. I can’t stress enough for people to mask up, be safe, and to get your body prepared for the world we live in right now.

“It comes from a place, I don’t want people to go through what I went through.”

Despite all his precautions, KAT entered protocols again on Thursday. The Timberwoves had two recent games against the Mavericks, a team with an outbreak of the virus.

Finch says KAT is asymptomatic. "He is in the best spirits possible" though very disappointed not to play.

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) December 24, 2021

• Unvaccinated Bradley Beal enters protocols. Beal was one of the very public players about not getting vaccinated, which means he will be out longer after this positive test. He will have to produce five negative tests and be out a minimum of 10 days before returning to practices.

Beal and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, another Wizards starter, are in the protoc

ols.

This is not the first time Beal had COVID, he was set to play with Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics but a positive test had him leaving the team, he admitted after the fact.

• In Chicago, Zach LaVine and other Bulls are out of protocols. It was a full practice again today in Chicago because not only did All-Star Zach LaVine get released from protocols, so did Ayo Dosunmu, Troy Brown Jr., Alize Johnson, Matt Thomas and Devon Dotson.

The Bulls game last night was postponed because the Raptors could not field a team. Chicago is now off until Sunday when they host the Pacers. Here were LaVine’s comments, via KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

Hopefully we have herd immunity coming back and we won’t have any more guys go down in the later months,” LaVine said following Thursday’s practice at the Advocate Center. “I’m just thankful everybody is OK and everybody’s families are OK. Now we can get things rolling again as a full group.”

• Good news for the Knicks. New York is going to have another key player on Christmas Day, R.J. Barrett has cleared protocols.

RJ Barrett is out of Covid protocols, the Knicks say.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 23, 2021

Karl-Anthony Towns set to make return to Timberwolves Wednesday

By Kurt HelinMar 22, 2023, 12:51 PM EDT

David Berding/Getty Images

It was Nov. 28 — 51 games ago — the last time Karl-Anthony Towns stepped on the court for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

That changes tonight against the Hawks, according to multiple reports, plus Towns himself said he will make his return to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.

“I’m super excited to get back out on the court and help my team because these next nine games are super important,” Towns said…

“I’m just trying to pick up where I left off,” Towns said. “I was telling my dad right before I got hurt, I felt the most complete as a player in my career. From defensive end, from offensive end, from a mental aspect, leadership aspect … I felt very complete.”

The Timberwolves sit ninth in the West, in the middle of a crowded bottom of the conference where they are just a game out of the No.6 seed but also half a game away from falling out of the play-in and missing the postseason entirely. The Timberwolves need wins, and adding an elite offensive player such as Towns should help with that (as would getting Anthony Edwards back from his sprained ankle, which could happen tonight but, if not, is expected soon).

Towns suffered a calf injury just after Thanksgiving that was expected to keep him out for 4-6 weeks. However, a January setback extended that recovery to 51 games. Towns averaged 21.4 points and 8.5 rebounds a game this season before the injury.

However, his fit in those early games with Rudy Gobert (acquired over the summer), Edwards and D'Angelo Russell was clunky. Town’s efficiency was down (32.8% from 3) and the offense had a “your turn then my turn” feel. That offense has started to find a better groove recently with Edwards taking on a larger ball-handling role, then Russell being for Mike Conley (more of a traditional, floor general point guard) — the Minnesota offense in March was 4.8 points per 100 possessions better than it was in November.

How will injecting Towns back into that mix help the offense? How will it impact the defense? Unfortunately, coach Chris Finch and company don’t have time to experiment much and play around with lineup combinations, they need wins and they need them now to make the postseason.

Still, it’s good to have Towns back on the court.

Three things to Know: Win over Clippers shows Thunder future may be now

By Kurt HelinMar 22, 2023, 8:30 AM EDT

Three Things To Know is NBC’s five-days-a-week wrap-up of the night before in the NBA. Check out NBCSports.com every weekday morning to catch up on what you missed the night before plus the rumors, drama, and dunks that make the NBA must-watch.

1) Win over Clippers shows Thunder’s future may be now

If the playoffs started today, the Oklahoma City Thunder would be the No.7 seed in the West, only needing to win one of two play-in games — at home — to advance to the playoffs. They are only half a game back of the defending champion Golden State Warriors for the No.6 seed and not having to worry about the play-in.

The basketball world has talked about anything but the Thunder: When will those Warriors flip the switch? What happens when Dallas gets Luka Dončić back (or if the Mavs defend a little)? What will the Timberwolves look like when whole? When will LeBron James return and how big a threat are the Lakers?

Meanwhile, the Thunder quietly have been winning — 8-of-10 after beating the Clippers on Tuesday night 101-100, behind 31 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

SGA dropped a 30-piece in the Thunder win ⛈️

31 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST

He joins Russ and KD as the only Thunder players with 40 or more 30+ point games in a season. pic.twitter.com/hO8joRflhO

— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2023

The Thunder have been solid all season — top half of the league in offense and defense, and the 10th-best net rating in the league — despite Chet Holmgren missing the year. SGA playing at an All-NBA level is a huge part of it, but Josh Giddey has developed into an impressive secondary shot creator averaging 16.2 points a night, Jalen Williams will be first-team All-Rookie because of his play, guys like Isaiah Joe and Tre Mann have stopped up, and Lu Dort is doing things like locking down Kawhi Leonard on the final play of the game to preserve the win.

Lu Dort locks up Kawhi 🗜

Thunder win. pic.twitter.com/F9000XgG25

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 22, 2023

OKC’s one-point win over the Clippers was aided by Kawhi Leonard getting a tight technical called on him, and when Terrence Mann complained about that call he got him ejected. Leonard said after the game the referee admitted he missed the foul call on the play where the technicals were handed out.

However, far more frightening for the Clippers than the loss was the injury to Paul George in the final minutes, a fluke collision with Dort that sent George to the ground and having to be helped back to the locker room. There are no details, but it didn’t look good.

Here’s the play where Paul George suffered what appears to be a leg injury. pic.twitter.com/k0JbXyrXvn

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 22, 2023

It’s all more questions and injuries for the Clippers.

Meanwhile, the Thunder just keep on rolling and look every bit a playoff team ahead of schedule — and with a lot of draft picks coming in the next few years to stockpile that roster.

2) Knicks legend, Hall of Fame Willis Reed dies

Willis Reed is associated with one of the most iconic moments in NBA history — his dramatic entrance in Madison Square Garden minutes before Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. He scored only four points and was clearly in pain and hobbled, but playing even a little sparked the Knicks to blow out the Lakers and win the franchise’s first title.

Reed passed away at the age of 80.

“Willis Reed was the ultimate team player and consummate leader,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “My earliest and fondest memories of NBA basketball are of watching Willis, who embodied the winning spirit that defined the New York Knicks’ championship teams in the early 1970s. He played the game with remarkable passion and determination, and his inspiring comeback in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals remains one of the most iconic moments in all of sports.

“As a league MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP and member of the NBA’s 50^th and 75^th Anniversary Teams, Willis was a decorated player who took great pride in his consistency. Following his playing career, Willis mentored the next generation as a coach, team executive and proud HBCU alumnus. We send our deepest condolences to Willis’ wife, Gale, his family, and many friends and fans.”

Reed won a second ring with the Knicks in 1973 and was a two-time Finals MVP and seven-time All-Star.

Our Captain. pic.twitter.com/2Bg1ro4y37

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 21, 2023

Reed averaged 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds a season over the course of his career, and he had his No.19 retired by the Knicks. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1982.

3) Celtics get Robert Williams back, look like Celtics in win over Kings

Robert Williams was back on the court for the Celtics Tuesday night and the Celtics held the Kings and their best offense in the league to an offensive rating almost seven points below their league average. That is not a coincidence.

With Williams back, the Celtics were back to switching everything, which slowed the motion and passing of the Kings’ offense enough to earn the 132-109 Boston win. The 36 points from Jayson Tatum helped with that.

Highlights: Celtics finish the trip strong as they take down the Sacramento Kings and go 4-2 on the road

Presented by: @TMobile pic.twitter.com/zVCjSeAQCu

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 22, 2023

For the Kings, it was their fifth game in seven nights in four different time zones and it showed. Still, that loss dropped the Kings 1.5 back of the Grizzlies for the two seed in the West (and the Grizzlies may get Ja Morant back Wednesday).

Boston went 4-2 on their recent road trip. While they have slumped in recent weeks, they looked like their contending selves again with Williams back, who had missed the last eight games with a hamstring issue. He played 21 minutes off the bench.

Nobody should have written Boston off after this recent slide, even if those losses did make their path through the East rougher.

Bonus thing to know: Donovan Mitchell threw down a Dunk of the Year candidate in the Cavaliers’ win.

EVERY ANGLE of Donovan Mitchell's monster dunk tonight 🎬 pic.twitter.com/CPb9KMRp75

— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2023

Paul George has to be helped off court after fourth quarter leg injury

By Kurt HelinMar 22, 2023, 2:38 AM EDT

Hopefully this is not serious, not something that changes the playoff picture in the West.

The Clippers’ Paul George went down with 4:38 left in the game Tuesday night after a collision with Lu Dort going for a rebound.

Here’s the play where Paul George suffered what appears to be a leg injury. pic.twitter.com/k0JbXyrXvn

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 22, 2023

George had to be helped back to the locker room and struggled to put any weight on his leg.

PG was helped off the floor after an apparent leg injury 🙏 pic.twitter.com/1KQwlgbteg

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 22, 2023

After the game, Tyronn Lue said George was still being evaluated and had no update on his status. George was seen exiting the arena on the back of a cart with his right leg extended, according to the AP.

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾PG

— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) March 22, 2023

George had 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists before exiting the game. On the season he is playing at an All-NBA level averaging 23.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists a game, and the Clippers are 6.8 points per 100 possessions better when he is on the court.

The Thunder went on to win 101-100 in a game filled with drama, including a technical foul for Kawhi Leonard, an ejection of Terrence Mann, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 31 points, and Lou Dort locking up Leonard in the final seconds.

Grizzlies Ja Morant: ‘My job now is… to be more responsible’

By Kurt HelinMar 22, 2023, 1:39 AM EDT

While his coach said he anticipates Ja Morant will return to the court Wednesday for the Grizzlies, Morant downplayed expectations and said things are “still in the air.”

Whether the official return is Wednesday or a few days later, Morant is back practicing with teammates and spoke to the media for the first time since his suspension. He once again was apologetic.

“I’m completely sorry for that,” Morant said, via the Associated Press. “So, you know, my job now is, like I said, to be more responsible, more smarter, and don’t cause any of that no more.”

Morant was suspended eight games by the NBA after flashing a gun in a club and broadcasting it on social media, something NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called “irresponsible” and “reckless.” Morant used that time to go into counseling at a facility in Florida but added he “never had an alcohol problem.”.

“I went there to counseling to learn how to manage stress,” Morant said. “Cope with stress in a positive way, instead of ways I’ve tried to deal with it before that caused me to make mistakes.”

Morant said that his treatment is an “ongoing process,” adding that he was getting off social media and letting his actions speak for him.

Morant and his associates had incidents before that caught the attention of people around the league — including a run-in with Indiana Pacers security — however, this incident in a Colorado club was the first one that hit him in the wallet. The suspension cost him $668,659 in game pay, plus one of his major sponsors — Powerade — pulled an ad campaign featuring him that would have run heavily during March Madness.

The biggest hit is Morant possibly missing out on an All-NBA guard spot. Morant could make $39 million more over the five-year extension that kicks in next season if he makes one of the three All-NBA teams. However, the guard spot is especially crowded with deserving players this season and this incident and the missed games do not help his cause.

Check out more on the Nets

Check out more on the Nets

Check out more on the Timberwolves

1) Win over Clippers shows Thunder’s future may be now

2) Knicks legend, Hall of Fame Willis Reed dies

3) Celtics get Robert Williams back, look like Celtics in win over Kings

Here is more on the Clippers

Check out more on the Grizzlies