NBA News Today: Steph Curry makes his return vs. Lakers, Luka Doncic squares up with Devin Booker, and more
Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Steph Curry made his much-anticipated NBA return on Sunday versus the LA Lakers.
In other news, stars Luka Doncic and Devin Booker got into a heated face-to-face altercation on Sunday.
On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of March 6, 2023.
Steph Curry returns after missing 11 games
Steph Curry returned on Sunday versus the LA Lakers after missing 11 straight games due to a left leg injury. However, his return was spoiled as the Warriors fell 113-105 to a shorthanded Lakers team that was without star forward LeBron James.
Curry led Golden State with 27 points to go along with two rebounds, six assists, one steal and five 3-pointers on 40.0% shooting.
Meanwhile, LA was led by star big man Anthony Davis, who finished with 39 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two blocks on 56.0% shooting.
Following the game, Curry spoke about how it felt to be back in action:
“It felt great to get thrown back in there right away,” Curry said. “If I get better as the game goes on, that’s always a great sign for me individually. Even though we lost, there were some bright spots for sure."
With the loss, the Warriors (34-31, fifth in the West) had their five-game winning streak snapped. Meanwhile, the Lakers (31-34, 11th in the West) got back into the win column following their loss to Minnesota on Friday.
Luka Doncic and Devin Booker engage in face-to-face altercation
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Dallas Mavericks in a tightly contested 130-126 battle on Sunday. Mavs superstar guard Luka Doncic had a chance to tie the game at 128 with just under seven seconds remaining. However, he missed a wide-open floater.
Following the miss, Doncic and Suns star shooting guard Devin Booker got into a face-to-face altercation with 3.5 seconds remaining. The two stars then had to be separated.
Luka Doncic MISSES the game tying shot 😬
Mavs now trail the Suns by 4 with 3.5 remaining.
https://t.co/177D9Z6N7R
@espnNo love lost between Devin Booker and Luka Dončić 🌶️
🎥 @espn
https://t.co/Di7nGFpjjl
After the game, Doncic and Booker spoke about their confrontation. Doncic first explained that if Booker wants to talk trash, he should do it earlier on in games:
“It’s a competitive game, it’s all good. Next time just don’t wait until there are three seconds left to talk,” Doncic said.
When asked what exactly Booker said to him, Doncic joked that he couldn’t repeat it:
“I don’t think you can say that on camera."
Luka Dončić said Devin Booker was talking to him before the scuffle and he said he can’t repeat say what Booker said to him or he will be fined.
He continued to say: “Next time don’t wait til three seconds left to talk.” https://t.co/jqf489h5OO
Booker, on the other hand, spoke about how the altercation was the result of two competitors getting caught up in the heat of the moment:
“You guys always say you don’t want everyone to be friendly-friendly, so there you go, you got some smoke. It’s just two competitors going at it. Everybody speaks about how friendly the NBA is now and they don’t like that. I have no problem with Luka on or off the court, but when we’re competing, we’re competing."
When asked what was said during the confrontation, Booker opted to keep it private:
“I’m not here to tattletale."
"You guys say you don't want everybody to be friendly friendly. There you go. We got some smoke."
Devin Booker on his exchange with Luka Doncic late in #Suns win over #Mavs https://t.co/jI0ygEr27C
Booker finished with 36 points, five rebounds, 10 assists and one steal on 60.0% shooting. Meanwhile, Doncic struggled offensively, finishing with 34 points, nine rebounds and four assists on just 34.8% shooting.
Phoenix (36-29, fourth in the West) has now won three straight games. Meanwhile, Dallas (33-32, seventh in the West) has now lost six of its last eight games.
Ja Morant to be away from team indefinitely
Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant is currently away from the Grizzlies. This comes after he brandished a gun in a nightclub on Saturday in an Instagram Live video.
It was initially reported that Morant would be away from the team for at least two games. However, according to Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, there is "not a definitive timeline" for Morant’s return. Jenkins spoke about the incident before Memphis’ game against the LA Clippers on Sunday.
"Very tough moment, for sure," Jenkins said.
"He understands he's made some difficult decisions and poor choices in the past that he's got to account for. He's definitely embracing the mistakes that he's made but only time will tell. We're going to support him and we're going to hold him accountable to make those changes.
"We love him, we want what's best for him, we support him. It's going to be a difficult process but we've got a great group to get through this. My hope is that he just gets better. He knows he's got a lot of love and support."
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins on Ja Morant’s IG Live video and the lack of clarity on when he’ll return and what he needs to do to rejoin the team https://t.co/tmIIgpY8zU
Morant did not travel with the Grizzlies to LA for their matchups against the Clippers on Sunday and the Lakers on Tuesday. However, he has already issued a formal apology for his actions:
"I take full responsibility for my actions last night. I'm sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organization for letting you down. I'm going to take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being."
Grizzlies’ Ja Morant releases statement and says he is going to take time away to receive help: https://t.co/5TxS7Qh3kJ
The NBA is now investigating Morant’s controversial social media video before determining further disciplinary actions.
Also read: What is Nike's statement on the Ja Morant fiasco?
Udonis Haslem announces his retirement from the NBA
Miami Heat veteran big man Udonis Haslem has announced that he plans to retire from the NBA at the end of the season, via the Miami Herald. Haslem has played 20 seasons for Miami since 2003, winning three NBA titles. He is the oldest active player in the NBA at the age of 42.
“I'm done,” Haslem said.
'I'm done no matter what happens. I gave my contribution. I think at this stage, there needs to be another voice for these guys. It's time for somebody to step up and be the voice."
Udonis Haslem announces he will retire after the season
“I’m done. I’m done no matter what happens. I gave my contribution. I think at this stage, there needs to be another voice for these guys. It’s time for somebody to step up and be the voice.”
(Via @MiamiHerald ) https://t.co/PMkd6NSE2j
Haslem has only played a total of 46 minutes over six games this season. He has tallied three points, eight rebounds, one steal and one block on just 8.3% shooting.
Haslem has career averages of 7.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game on 48.9% shooting.
The Heat are reportedly planning a four-day farewell celebration for Haslem ahead of his final regular season home game. The celebration, which will be known as “4 Days of 40,” will begin on March 23.
Milwaukee Bucks sign Goran Dragic
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed veteran point guard Goran Dragic, the team announced on Saturday night.
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed Goran Dragić.
nba.com/bucks/news/mil…
Dragic, 36, was waived by the Chicago Bulls last week. He averaged 6.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg, and 2.7 apg on 42.5% shooting through 51 games with Chicago.
Dragic joins a Milwaukee team (46-18) that has the best record in the entire NBA. The 15-year veteran is expected to provide the Bucks with additional leadership and experience off the bench as they gear up for a title run.
"He's a great point guard, can score and set the table. He's competitive, smart, so we're excited to add him to our group,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.