NBA News Today: Kyrie Irving meets with Adam Silver, Dwight Howard joins Taoyuan Leopards, and more
Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard Kyrie Irving recently met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver to discuss his suspension from the team and his possible return.
In other news, eight-time NBA All-Star big man Dwight Howard has decided to take his talents overseas as he has signed with a Taiwanese basketball team.
On that note, here are some of the top news stories from around the NBA as of Nov. 9th, 2022.
Kyrie Irving meets with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
Suspended Nets star Kyrie Irving met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday to discuss his recent suspension, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Irving was suspended for a minimum of five games without pay on Thursday. This came after he refused to provide a proper apology for his recent sharing of an anti-Semitic film on Twitter.
Charania said that Irving and Silver’s meeting was productive and understanding. He added that the meeting provided a path forward for Irving to return to the team.
“Sources: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Kyrie Irving met this morning and the sides had a productive and understanding visit, paving the way for the Nets and their suspended star to work through his steps on a potential path forward,” Charania tweeted.
Sources: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Kyrie Irving met this morning and the sides had a productive and understanding visit, paving the way for the Nets and their suspended star to work through his steps on a potential path forward.
Irving is set to miss his fourth game on Wednesday against the New York Knicks. Following that game, the Nets will begin a 4-game West Coast road trip. As of now, it remains to be seen whether Irving will be able to rejoin the team at some point during the trip.
Dwight Howard announces he will play in Taiwan for Taoyuan Leopards
Eighteen-year NBA veteran center Dwight Howard recently made pitches to multiple NBA teams as to why they should sign him. However, it appears that Howard was unsuccessful as he is now taking his talents overseas.
The 8-time NBA All-Star has announced that he is signing with the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan. Howard is still excited by the opportunity, though, as he took to social media to voice his excitement.
"I am so, so excited, and I can't wait to touch down in Taiwan and start playing. ... I'm coming with open arms, with big hugs and big smiles," Howard said.
Dwight Howard has signed to play with the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan, he announced on social media.
(via @DwightHoward) https://t.co/UrgxDt6n6U
Howard spent last season with the LA Lakers, averaging just 6.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game. It was statistically the most unproductive season of his career. Howard is also turning 37 next month. So at this point, it appears his NBA career may be over.
For more on Dwight Howard’s decision to play in Taiwan, click here.
Donovan Mitchell reacts to Cavs blowing game against LA Clippers
The Cleveland Cavaliers looked poised to extend their winning streak to nine on Monday night against the LA Clippers. The Cavs led 112-100 with 4:37 remaining in the game. However, the Clippers then went on an improbable 19-1 run to win the game. Following the game, Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell spoke about his team’s collapse. Mitchell stressed that they should not overreact to the loss.
“It’s nothing to overreact to," Mitchell said.
"We’re not in the locker room freaking out. It sucks to lose. We’re all pissed off about it. But at the end of the day, it’s a lesson and we’ll get better,” Mitchell continued.
Despite the painful loss, the Cavs still sit at 8-2 and second in the Eastern Conference behind the 9-1 Milwaukee Bucks. Cleveland will now look to start a new winning streak on Wednesday on the road against the Sacramento Kings.
Last two-minute report shows two crucial missed calls against the Sacramento Kings
The Golden State Warriors beat the Sacramento Kings 116-113 on Monday night to snap their 5-game losing streak. The game was a close, back-and-forth affair that saw Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry take over late.
The Kings still had a shot to tie the game at the buzzer though. Kings shooting guard Kevin Huerter attempted a game-tying 3-pointer and it appeared that he was fouled by Klay Thompson, but there was no call. However, the NBA’s last two-minute report later confirmed that the referees missed the call.
In fact, the NBA’s report confirmed two crucial missed calls that went against the Kings. They announced that Thompson did indeed make contact with Huerter’s arm which should have been a foul. The NBA also said that on the play before that Curry should have been whistled for a travel with 16.6 seconds to go.
Following the game, Kings head coach Mike Brown was understandably upset with the missed call.
“Kevin got fouled,” Brown said.
“I know there’s missed calls throughout the course of the game...I just want, at the end of the game, someone to step up and make the right call.
“A guy gets hit on the arm shooting a three? That’s a foul. A guy takes six steps, or three, four steps? It’s a travel. We just want an opportunity to win in overtime,” Brown continued.
Mike Brown didn't mince his words after the crucial no-call https://t.co/x8huyV6NT7
Following the loss, the Kings are now just 3-6 and 13th in the Western Conference. However, they are still competitive with three of their losses coming by three points or less. The Kings will now look to bounce back in a tough home matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Jae Crowder uninterested in playing for Phoenix Suns despite Cam Johnson’s injury
Phoenix Suns veteran forward Jae Crowder has opted to sit out the start of the season for the Suns as long as he awaits a trade. However, with Suns starting forward Cam Johnson recently tearing his meniscus, many thought this may urge Crowder to rejoin the team.
This is reportedly not the case though, as according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Crowder has no plans of returning to the team.
"Despite Johnson’s injury, there is no change to the situation with Crowder, and there are no current plans for him to return to the team, sources said," Windhorst said.
Report: Jae Crowder still not willing to suit up for Phoenix Suns despite Cameron Johnson’s injury ahnfiredigital.com/nba/phoenix-su…
The Suns currently sit at 7-3 and are tied for second in the Western Conference. However, they now have a big hole to fill at power forward. Unfortunately, for Phoenix, it looks like they will have to find some reinforcements outside of their roster.
For more on Jae Crowder’s refusal to return to the Phoenix Suns, click here.