April 2023 Basketball Wiretap

Chet Holmgren Looks Really Good; Hopeful To Play In Summer League

Jun 25, 2023 8:29 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren has recovered from a Lisfranc injury and looks "really good", per Sam Presti. The Thunder front office executive said Holmgren has been working out daily. Oklahoma City hopes that Holmgren will play in Summer League.

"It is our hope that he’ll be out there, our expectation. Chet is doing great. He has had a great offseason. It is one of those things where you, sometimes, don’t appreciate the consistency of somebody because all through the draft process and since the end of the season, you’re in the building every day and he is out there — same time, same schedule — just monotonously putting in all of this work with our coaches," Presti said. "He has done a great job. He has followed the plan and looks really good. We’re excited for him, but I don’t think anybody could be more excited than he is."

Holmgren is entering the second year of his rookie scale contract. Because he didn't play in a game last season, Holmgren will be eligible to win 2024 Rookie of the Year.

Cody Taylor/Rookie Wire

Tags: Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Summer League

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Kawhi Leonard Had Cleanup Surgery On Right Knee

Jun 23, 2023 8:58 AM

LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard underwent cleanup surgery on the torn meniscus in his right knee in early-June. Clippers front office executive Lawrence Frank said Leonard is expected to be 100% recovered and ready in time for training camp.

Leonard tore his right meniscus during LA's first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns. He missed the final three games of the Clippers five-game series loss to the Suns.

Frank also reiterated that the Clippers still plan to build around Leonard and Paul George.

"It's still the plan," Frank said. "What we are trying to do is how can we put together the best team around these guys? And we look at the different things, what has worked, what hasn't worked, the job that we have to do better, the job that we challenge our players to continue to do better.

"We are trying to maximize these two and figure out ways we can get better."

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Tags: Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Bulls Don't Expect Lonzo Ball To Play During 23-24 Season

Jun 23, 2023 1:06 AM

The Chicago Bulls do not anticipate Lonzo Ball being available to play during the 23-24 season after he also missed the entire 22-23 season.

“Our expectation is that he's not going to be back next season," said Arturas Karnisovas after the draft.

Ball hasn't played since January when he tore his meniscus. Ball has since undergone multiple surgeries. 

Ball is signed through the 24-25 season.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Injury

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Malcolm Brogdon Has 'Significant Health Issue' Leading To Clippers Pulling Out Of Trade

Jun 22, 2023 9:32 AM

Malcolm Brogdon has an injury issue that was significant enough for the Los Angeles Clippers to back out of a proposed three-way trade with the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards. The specific injury has not been reported, but it is apparently significant enough where the Celtics are not expected to be able to trade him this offseason.

Brogdon missed Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals with a partial tear in the tendon in his right elbow. Brogdon returned to play seven minutes in Game 7. Over the final four games that Brogdon appeared, he shot a combined 1-for-15 from the floor.

"Brogdon has a health issue," said Brian Windhorst. "A health issue, from as I understand that is so significant that not only can the Celtics not do this trade, but there is no Malcolm Brogdon trade they can do in the short-term."

After the trade fell apart, the Celtics pivoted to a trade of Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in order for them to still acquire Kristaps Porzingis.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Malcolm Brogdon, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Injury

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Mark Williams Had Surgery For Torn Ligament In Right Thumb

Jun 15, 2023 9:14 AM

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. No update was provided from the team on when Williams would return to basketball activities.

Williams initially sprained his right thumb in March. He missed the next six games, but returned to play in six of the Hornets final eight contests.

Williams became Charlotte's starting center during his rookie season after the team traded Mason Plumlee at the trade deadline. Williams averaged 9.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.0 blocks in 19.3 minutes per game as a rookie.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Mark Williams, Charlotte Hornets, NBA, NBA Injury

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Tyler Herro Upgraded To Questionable For Game 5, Will Attempt To Play

Jun 12, 2023 12:43 PM

Tyler Herro has been upgraded to questionable for Game 5 and is expected to be in uniform for the Miami Heat in attempt to return.

If Herro doesn't suffer a setback and can manage the discomfort in his right hand, he is expected to play.

Herro has been out since suffering a fracture in Game 1 of Miami's first round series against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Heat trail the Denver Nuggets 3-1 in The Finals. 

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Injury

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Tyler Herro Listed As Out For Game 5

Jun 12, 2023 12:51 AM

Tyler Herro is listed as out for Game 5 of the NBA Finals due to a broken hand.

Herro, who was at one point expected to return this series, suffered the injury in Game 1 of the first round. 

Ira Winderman/South Florida Sun Sentinel

Tags: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Grant Williams Undergoes Surgery On Left Hand

Jun 9, 2023 4:29 PM

Grant Williams has undergone surgery on his left hand.

Williams will be a restricted free agent this offseason and is expected to be available for the start of training camp. The Boston Celtics have the ability to match any offer sheet, but they will have luxury tax concerns with both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum becoming eligible for supermax extensions in coming seasons.

Williams suffered the injury in March.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Grant Williams, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Injury

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Tyler Herro Not Cleared To Return From Broken Right Hand Ahead Of Game 4

Jun 8, 2023 3:09 PM

Tyler Herro has still not been cleared to return from a broken right hand and will not play in Game 4.

Herro suffered the injury in Game 1 of the first round.

"This is just part of the process," Erik Spoelstra said. "You have to go through stages. First part of it was just shooting, then movement, then contact versus coaches, and then the next level of contact in practice. He has not been cleared for a game, and he is still not cleared yet."

Nick Friedell/ESPN

Tags: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Injury

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Khris Middleton Underwent Arthroscopic On Right Knee Shortly After Season

Jun 8, 2023 11:18 AM

Khris Middleton underwent successful surgery on his right knee shortly after the playoffs to address an issue he played through last season.

Middleton is expected to fully recover from the minor arthroscopic procedure, and he should be back on the court in July.

Following a left wrist surgery last offseason, Middleton missed the first 20 games of the season as he waited for the wrist to heal.

Middleton missed 18 straight games during the middle of the season with knee soreness. 

Middleton has until June 21st to make a decision on his $40.4 million player option for the 23-24 season.

Shams Charania, Eric Nehm/The Athletic

Tags: Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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Dariq Whitehead Had Second Foot Surgery, Expected To Be Ready For Camp

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tyler Herro Remains Out For Game 3

Nick Friedell/ESPN

No Update On Tyler Herro Status For Game 2; Caleb Martin Misses Practice With Illness

Nick Friedell/ESPN

Brandon Ingram Extended Absence Lead To 'Significant Frustration' In Pelicans Organization

Christian Clark/Nola.com

Julius Randle Undergoes Ankle Surgery, Expected To Be Ready By Training Camp

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Aleksej Pokusevski Suffered Right Humerus Fracture In Offseason Workout

RealGM Staff Report

Tyler Herro Could Possibly Return For Game 2

ESPN

Michael Porter Jr: My Whole Life Revolves Around Staying Healthy

Mirin Fader/The Ringer

Tyler Herro To Miss Game 1 Of NBA Finals

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN