NBA News Today: Mikal Bridges still 'Iron Man' despite missing game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Derrick White named Players of the Week, and more
The Phoenix Suns acquiring Kevin Durant was the biggest deal of this season's NBA trade deadline. One of the players acquired by the Brooklyn Nets was Mikal Bridges, who was forced to miss the first game of his career because of the trade.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the OKC Thunder and Derrick White of the Boston Celtics were named NBA Players of the Week. Gilgeous-Alexander proved why he's an All-Star this season, while White stepped up in the absence of Marcus Smart.
On that note, here's the latest NBA news roundup for Feb. 14 brought to you by Sportskeeda.
Mikal Bridges still NBA's 'Iron Man' despite missing game
Mikal Bridges has played in 365 straight games before the Brooklyn Nets' matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Due to the Kevin Durant trade, Bridges was forced to miss a game after the NBA failed to approve the trade ahead of the Nets' clash against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
However, the league announced that Bridges' streak is still alive, and his missed game won't count, as he wasn't eligible to play. The Villanova product extended his streak to 367 in the Nets' 124-106 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday.
Also Read: "Let Kyrie say that they gonna label him homophobic" - Cam Thomas apology leaves the internet divided
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Derrick White named NBA Players of the Week
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the OKC Thunder and Derrick White of the Boston Celtics were named NBA Players of the Week for Week 17. Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to a 2-1 week, averaging 31.3 points and 6.3 assists on 57.1% shooting.
𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠. 💼 https://t.co/syKPAIXFAm
Meanwhile, White helped the Celtics win their four games last week. He averaged 24.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. He has been huge for Boston in the absence of Marcus Smart and will be even bigger with Jaylen Brown's recent injury.
DWhite has been white hot 🔥🔥🔥
Congratulations on your first career Player of the Week honors, @Dwhite921 https://t.co/wrmbHSFIQi
Also Read: Who is Derrick White's wife Hannah Schneider and when did they get married?
NBA fines Bradley Beal for making contact with referee
The NBA has fined Bradley Beal $25,000 for making contact with an official in the Washington Wizards' 127-113 win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Beal appeared to have shoved the referee John Butler during a play in the third quarter.
The Pacers tried to get the ball to their side of the court with a long pass. Beal leapt and tried to steal the ball, but knocked it out of bounds. The momentum propelled Beal towards the official, who stumbled on the empty seats.
Also Read: Which four NBA legends did LeBron James name as his inspiration during his Scoring King ceremony?
Jae Crowder set to make Bucks debut after All-Star break
The Milwaukee Bucks acquired Jae Crowder from the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade at the deadline.
Crowder has not played a single game this season after requesting a trade out of the Phoenix Suns in the offseason. He was dealt to Brooklyn as part of the Kevin Durant trade.
"I just feel like it's behind me now," Crowder said in his first interview with the Bucks. "We had some stuff happen internally that they asked me to keep inside, so I'm going to grant their wishes. Obviously, I've been working with these guys for a trade partner for months now. I think give or take they did exactly what they said they was going to do. Took longer than what we all expected, but it got done."
"Just be you."
@Froedtert & MCW Practice Report. https://t.co/TjZyGlUDr9
Also Read: How is LeBron James' mom Gloria James related to Delonte West? Explaining their complicated relationship
Gary Payton II out for a month after trade goes through
Gary Payton II of the Golden State Warriors is set to be out for at least a month due to a core muscle injury. The four-team trade between the Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons still pushed through despite Payton's failed physical exam.
The Warriors decided to waive the results of the physical to re-acquire an important part of their championship run last season. They're now awaiting the results of the league's investigation into the Blazers allegedly failing to disclose Payton's injury.
Also Read: Top 5 NBA players who failed medicals, leading to canceled trades in history as Gary Payton II's move to Golden State Warriors hits a roadblock