NBA News Today: Steph Curry exits Pacers game with shoulder injury, LeBron James passes Wilt Chamberlain for 2nd most 30 point games, and more
Golden State Warriors NBA superstar point guard Steph Curry injured his left shoulder on Wednesday night versus Indiana and did not return to the game.
In other news, LA Lakers star forward LeBron James made more NBA history during the Lakers' overtime loss to Boston on Tuesday night.
On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of Dec. 15, 2022.
Steph Curry exits Warriors versus Pacers game with left shoulder injury
Steph Curry sustained a left shoulder injury on Wednesday night against Indiana. The injury occurred with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter as Curry attempted to go for a steal. Curry immediately grabbed his shoulder in pain before heading to the locker room.
Curry will get an MRI tomorrow to determine the severity of the injury, according to Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
Curry will get an MRI tomorrow, Kerr says. Kerr checked in with Curry briefly postgame, said he was in good spirits.
Here's what Kerr said after the game:
“He’s going to get an MRI tomorrow. The trainers told me he was out midway through the fourth quarter. I only spoke to him briefly after the game, so I haven’t had a chance to talk with him yet."
Curry had been having a very strong night prior to his injury, finishing with 38 points, including 27 in the first half. Following Curry’s exit from the game, the Warriors went on to lose 125-119. They now sit at 14-15 and 10th in the Western Conference.
LeBron James passes Wilt Chamberlain for 2nd most 30-point games in NBA history
The LA Lakers suffered a heartbreaking 122-118 overtime loss to the Celtics on Tuesday night. However, LeBron James still made history during his team's loss. James finished with 33 points and in doing so he surpassed NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain for the second-most 30-point games in NBA history.
James now has 516 30-point games for his career compared to Chamberlain’s 515. James also sits just 46 games behind NBA legend Michael Jordan for the all-time record of 562 30-point games. Given his plan to play into his 40s, James should be able to break the record before he retires.
Also read: LeBron James’ bada** reply to being asked if he’ll cry if he breaks NBA scoring record: “I didn’t even try to do it”
Draymond Green sounds off on inappropriate fan behavior
Warriors All-Star forward Draymond Green got into a heated exchange with a fan during the third quarter of Golden State's Tuesday night loss to Milwaukee. The fan was ejected from the game after allegedly threatening Green’s life, according to the star.
Following the game, Green spoke about how difficult it is to deal with the constant heckling from fans.
"Some people look at NBA players like they're superhuman. That they're this larger-than-life figure. So you come and you get someone to say something back and they get fined. They go home and laugh with their buddies. I think it's just one of those things when you can hold it in and get to the ref and get them out, it's great."
Green later explained how the consequences of inappropriate fan behavior are not severe enough. He suggested that the league take legal action against extreme hecklers:
"There are no real consequences. Yeah, you can't come back to the game, or even if you get arrested, nothing really happens ... you just hope it gets to a point where these leagues can work with legislators to implement laws, because that's the only thing that's really going to correct the issue."
It remains to be seen if the league will take action to increase the punishment for fans who violate the in-arena behavioral rules. However, most would agree that the NBA would be much better off with fewer incidents between players and fans.
Lonzo Ball may not return this season
Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball has been rehabbing his injured left knee to start the season and hasn’t played a game for Chicago yet. Ball was originally expected to make his return at some point this season. However, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday on NBA Countdown that there are no guarantees Ball will be able to return.
This comes as Ball’s rehab progress has been delayed due to him still experiencing pain in his knee, according to Wojnarowski.
“There are no guarantees, I’m told, that he plays at all this season. He’s rehabbing that knee now, he’s still feeling some pain in it. I think the hope is, that perhaps by the All-Star break in mid-February, that they have a sense of whether Lonzo Ball is ready to come back and play for Chicago.”
Wojnarowski added that Ball’s return could depend on whether the Bulls are in playoff contention later in the season:
“A lot of that may depend on where are the Bulls in the standings. Right now they’re 11th, they’re out of the playoff picture. I think if they’re lingering around that area, there will be a real decision to be made about whether he plays at all."
The Bulls are just 11-16 and 11th in the Eastern Conference. There have also been rumors of Chicago considering a full-on rebuild. So at this point, it appears very unlikely Ball will make his return.
LaMelo Ball returns to Hornets
Lonzo Ball may not be guaranteed a return this season. However, his brother LaMelo Ball was able to make his return from an ankle injury on Wednesday night after missing 11 straight games.
On his return, Ball showed very little rust, finishing with 23 points, 11 assists and five made 3-pointers on 9-for-18 (50.0%) shooting. However, the Hornets still fell to Detroit 141-134 in overtime.
Following the loss, Charlotte dropped to just 7-21, the worst record in the entire league. However, Ball has only played in four games this season. Ball is averaging 20.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 3.8 3-pointers per game on 43.7% shooting through four games.