Rudy Gobert expressed his relief after scoring go-ahead free throws in the Utah Jazz's 106-104 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

"Just grateful to be able to do what I love to do. After everything that I've personally and everything the world is going through right now, to be able to keep inspiring millions of kids around the world and keep spreading positivity is just a blessing," said Gobert, who finished the game with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Donovan Mitchell, who made the pass that lead to Gobert's free throws, said that the two players put their previous friction behind them.

"It's just me trusting him and him trusting me. That's really what it is. ... He had the first two points, and for that [play] to end it, it should kind of seal everything as far as talking about all that extra stuff," said Mitchell.

Quin Snyder added that Mitchell and Gobert used the time away from the game to improve their communication. 

"We've moved on, and we've talked about using this entire experience to get better, and I think those two guys have done that."

Alvin Gentry said that Zion Williamson's minutes restriction kept him off the court during the final minutes of the New Orleans Pelicans' 106-104 loss to the Utah Jazz.

Williamson, who was limited to 15 minutes, left the game for good with 7:19 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Pelicans up four points.

"Of course we wish we could've played him down the stretch, but we used the minutes that were given to us and that's the way it is ... the medical people said we played them in the minutes that were allowed for us to play him, and just move on ... I thought he had some good moments, and obviously we're a much better and different team when he's out on the floor," said Gentry after the game.

Williamson, who finished with 13 points, admitted that he still had to regain his rhythm after leaving quarantine on Tuesday.

"Honestly, I don't know how long it'll take. I guess maybe a couple games," said Williamson after the game. 

Eric Bledsoe and Pat Connaughton will miss the Milwaukee Bucks game on Friday against the Boston Celtics.

Mike Budenholzer said that both players were still working on their conditioning following positive COVID-19 tests.

"Everybody else is getting ready to play in a live game and have had 10 to 12 to 14 days of probably 5-on-5 every other day and individual work and all that ... They just need to play, so I think that's a big hurdle, and with playing will come both conditioning and their rhythm, so we're going to make sure they get some of that before we put them in an NBA game," said Budenholzer.

Bledsoe and Connaughton, who both missed all three scrimmages, participated in a Thursday practice.

Tyus Jones will be re-evaluated in one week due to knee soreness.

Jones is currently averaging 7.4 points and 4.4 assists on the season.

The Grizzlies re-open their season against the Blazers on Friday. 

Anthony Davis said that he plans to play against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday despite injuring his eye during a scrimmage last week.

Davis was inadvertently poked in the eye by Michael Carter-Williams. 

"I'll get evaluated again tonight by one of the doctors here and kind of get an update from them. That's the plan, for me to play," said Davis after participating in practice on Wednesday with protective eyewear.

Davis said that he didn't think he would need to wear protective eyewear against the Clippers, but wanted to give them a test run before the game. 

Players who make their debut in Orlando will remain eligible for next season's Rookie of the Year Award, sources told Tim Bontemps of ESPN.

The list includes Bol Bol, who has impressed during scrimmage games. 

With the seeding games not counting towards individual awards, the league made the decision to let players like Bol maintain their eligibility for the 2020-21 season. 

Eric Gordon could miss up to two weeks after injuring his left ankle during a scrimmage, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

X-rays on Gordon's ankle returned negative.

Gordon will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.

"It's an easier rotation because Danuel [House Jr.] has to back up Covington at the 4, but Danuel could probably start. We'll see what happens," said Mike D'Antoni about replacing Gordon in the lineup. 

Montrezl Harrell has yet to return to the Orlando bubble and is unlikely to suit up against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

Harrell left the bubble due to a family emergency on July 17th.

It is not known when Harrell will return to Orlando.

Harrell has tested negative for COVID-19 each day he has been away from the bubble. 

Damian Lillard sat for the Portland Trail Blazers' scrimmage against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday due to inflammation in his foot.

An X-ray on his foot returned negative.

"He does have some inflammation. I don't expect it to be a long-term thing," said Terry Stotts.

The Blazers, who are 3.5 games out of the 8th seed, re-open the season against the Grizzlies on Friday. 

NBA teams must designate a players' status in a league portal by 5 PM on the day before seeding games, reported Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The deadline will change to five hours before tip off in case of back-to-back games.

The NBA season restarts this Thursday, July 30th.