NBA News Today: Kevin Durant set to undergo scan on injured knee, Sonya Curry describes Steph Curry's emotions after 2022 NBA Finals Game 6, and more
Brooklyn Nets superstar forward Kevin Durant is set to undergo an MRI after suffering an injury to his right knee on Sunday against the Miami Heat.
In other news, Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Steph Curry’s mother, Sonya Curry, recently spoke about the Warriors’ 2022 NBA championship. Sonya explained just how much the title really meant to her son.
On that note, here’s the latest news from around the NBA as of Jan. 9, 2023.
Kevin Durant set to undergo MRI on injured knee
Kevin Durant's night started off strong on Sunday against the Miami Heat.
Early in the game, Durant passed Atlanta Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins (26,668 career points) to move up to 14th on the NBA's all-time scoring list. KD now sits at 26,684 career points.
However, Durant's evening took a turn for the worse when he was forced to leave the game in the third quarter. This came after Heat forward Jimmy Butler fell on his right leg following a drive to the basket.
Kevin Durant had to leave the game after Jimmy Butler landed on his knee on this play.
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https://t.co/pb7TVwSill
Kevin Durant's collision with Butler caused him to hold his right knee in pain as he sat on the floor. Durant initially stayed in the game for a little while longer before heading to the locker room. The star forward did not return and finished the game with 17 points in 30 minutes.
Following Durant's departure, his team was still able to pull out a 102-101 victory to improve to a 27-13 record and sit second in the Eastern Conference. However, the Brooklyn Nets and their fans will still be holding their collective breath as they await the results of Durant's upcoming MRI.
According to Nets coach Jacque Vaughn, Kevin Durant's MRI is scheduled for Monday. Brooklyn will hope the injury is nothing serious given KD's form. Durant has averaged 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in 39 games this season.
Jacque Vaughn: "Right knee. He'll get evaluated tomorrow." Vaughn said it will include imaging, as would be expected.
For more on Kevin Durant's injury, click here.
Sonya Curry describes Steph Curry's emotions after Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals
The shorthanded Golden State Warriors suffered a disappointing 115-101 loss to the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
It was a game most Warriors fans would probably like to forget. There weren’t many takeaways from the game itself, but there was a notable interview that took place beforehand.
Sonya Curry joined NBC Sports Bay Area's Kerith Burke, Chris Mullin and Monte Poole for a pregame interview. During the interview, she discussed the Warriors’ Game 6 win over Boston in the 2022 NBA Finals and how her son felt following the win.
"Relief," Sonya said. "Last year was a year in so many ways on-and-off the court for him."
Sonya then explained how Steph proved his doubters wrong by winning his fourth title. Golden State had missed the playoffs the previous two seasons with many of their stars struggling with injuries. This led many to question whether the Warriors would ever make another finals appearance.
"Just getting back and doing it again when so many people said they could and that they wouldn't and getting Klay (Thompson) back and the 3-point record, everything," Sonya said.
"I think that was the culmination in those tears was, 'It's done.'"
Sonya Curry describes what Steph was going through while in tears after beating the Celtics in the Finals https://t.co/OTF9H6GHyj
Steph Curry, of course, capped off the 2022 NBA Finals by winning his first career Finals MVP. This came after Curry averaged 31.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game for the series. To many, Curry’s performance also solidified his place among the all-time greats in the NBA.
People around the NBA are reportedly still scared of the LA Clippers
After losing their last six games, the LA Clippers are just seventh in the Western Conference at 21-21. However, they are not too worried about it, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer. In fact, Fisher believes other teams are still afraid of the Clippers despite their losing streak.
During an appearance on the “Callin Shots” podcast, Fischer was asked what he thinks about the LA Clippers’ situation and the possibility of them making trades.
“People are scared of the Clippers, man. People are scared,” Fischer said.
“They think that they’re shaping into the big, bad contender that a lot of people predicted to win the championship this year, right? So I definitely think they will – acting as that sleeping giant, which are not so sleeping with what Steve Ballmer has – they’re definitely going to be buyers.”
Fischer then highlighted the backup center position as a possible area of improvement for the Clippers. Ivica Zubac is currently the only reliable big man on LA’s entire roster. The team lost its former backup big Isaiah Hartenstein to the New York Knicks in free agency.
“The obvious, and what I’ve heard pretty consistently, is that they’re looking for a switchable backup big, so that they don’t necessarily need to just go directly small if Zubac is not the answer at center. I don’t know who that would be at this point,” Fischer said.
The Feb. 9 trade deadline is just a month away. It looks like the LA Clippers could be one team for fans to keep their eyes on as the deadline approaches.
Myles Turner turns down Indiana Pacers’ contract extension offer
Indiana Pacers stretch-five Myles Turner is in the final year of his contract with the team and will be making $18 million this season. He is then set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
As a result, the Pacers have been trying to negotiate an extension with Turner to avoid potentially losing him for nothing. However, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, Turner has “rebuffed” the Pacers’ offer.
Myles Turner has rebuffed Indiana's contract extension offers, per @TheSteinLine
(Via marcstein.substack.com/p/nba-trade-de…) https://t.co/dAirrq1Btp
This doesn’t mean that Turner is a sure bet to be traded or leave in free agency. However, it now appears that he could reemerge as a viable trade target for teams looking to contend.
Turner is having arguably the best season of his career, averaging 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game on 55.2% shooting. He is also just 26 and could likely have a long list of suitors if made available on the trade market.
Patrick Beverley credits team's confidence for five-game winning streak
The LA Lakers are trending up, having now won their last five games to improve to 19-21 and 11th in the Western Conference.
They have managed to do so despite missing All-Star forward Anthony Davis, who has been sidelined with a foot injury. LA is also currently without Austin Reaves, Lonnie Walker IV and Troy Brown Jr. due to injury.
Their most recent victory saw them beat the Sacramento Kings 136-134 on Saturday. After the game, Lakers veteran point guard Patrick Beverley discussed the key to LA's recent success.
He explained that the team never lost confidence despite their injuries and overall struggles and that others are now stepping up for the team.
“We just have to get in rhythm. Obviously, you can't control injuries, but guys have been stepping up and whoever's number is called, they’ve been ready to play. Our confidence never wavered. It's never been up and down, we’ve always been a confident team,” Beverley said.
Notable players who have stepped up for LA include big man Thomas Bryant. Bryant is averaging 21.2 points and 13.6 rebounds per game on 71.9% shooting over his last five games. Meanwhile, Dennis Schroder is averaging 21.4 points, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game over his last five games as well.
It remains to be seen how the Lakers’ recent improved stretch of play will affect their plans to improve their roster at the trade deadline.