NBA News Today: Zion Williamson faces another injury setback, Donovan Mitchell committed lane violation on key bucket, and more
New Orleans Pelicans All-Star forward Zion Williamson has suffered yet another injury setback as injuries continue to derail his young NBA career.
In other news, the NBA has announced that officials missed a key call on Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell during his 71-point game.
On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of Jan. 4, 2023.
Zion Williamson to miss multiple weeks with hamstring injury
Zion Williamson has had difficulties staying on the court throughout his young career. Since being drafted No. 1 in the 2019 NBA Draft, Williamson has played in a total of just 114 games due to various injuries. This includes him missing all of last season due to a foot fracture.
Williamson finally appeared to be getting healthy this season, playing in 29 of the Pelicans' 37 games so far. Unfortunately for Pelicans fans, however, he will once again be sidelined for an extended period of time.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Williamson will miss multiple weeks with a hamstring strain. The forward injured his hamstring during the third quarter of the Pelicans' 120-111 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. He has since undergone testing which determined the severity of the injury.
“New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring strain, sources told ESPN. Williamson underwent an MRI today,” Wojnarowski reported.
New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring strain, sources tell ESPN. Williamson underwent an MRI today.
New Orleans currently holds a 23-14 record and is third in the crowded Western Conference. The team is already without its other All-Star forward in Brandon Ingram, who is still sidelined indefinitely with a toe injury.
It may be difficult for the Pelicans to hold their position in the West without both of their stars.
Williamson averaged 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game on 60.8% shooting through 29 games this season.
Donovan Mitchell committed lane violation on putback to force overtime versus Chicago Bulls
Donovan Mitchell made history during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 145-134 overtime victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. He scored a franchise-record 71 points, including 55 after half-time, in the win.
However, according to the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report, the game should not have even gone into overtime. Mitchell reportedly committed a lane violation with 4.6 seconds remaining during a putback off his missed free throw that forced overtime.
“Mitchell steps over the plane of the free throw line before the ball touches the basket ring,” the report says.
Luckily for Mitchell and the Cavs, the refs missed the call. Mitchell then proceeded to score 13 of his 71 points in overtime to secure the victory and cap off a legendary performance.
Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid named Kia Players of the Month
NBA superstars Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid have been named the Kia NBA Players of the Month for December. The two players put in multiple incredible performances for the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively.
The Kia NBA Players of the Month for December! #KiaPOTM
West: Luka Doncic (@dallasmavs)
East: Joel Embiid (@sixers) https://t.co/fp3vUah9xa
Doncic, who is taking home the award for the Western Conference, led Dallas to a 11-4 record in December. He did so while averaging 35.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game on 51.9% shooting.
Per NBA.com, Doncic’s 35.1 PPG marked the highest scoring month in Mavs franchise history (min. 10 games played). This included Doncic recording three games with 50-plus points. One of those games was his historic 60-point, 21-rebound triple-double in an overtime win against the New York Knicks.
This is Doncic’s third such award in his five-year career so far.
Meanwhile, Embiid, who is taking home the award for the Eastern Conference, led Philadelphia to a 9-4 record in December, including an eight-game winning streak. He did so while averaging 35.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.8 blocks per game on 54.5% shooting.
This Embiid’s fifth Player of the Month award in his seven-year career so far. Per NBA.com, he has now surpassed Sixers legend Allen Iverson for the most Player of the Month awards in franchise history.
Kelly Oubre Jr. to miss 4-6 weeks with hand injury
The Charlotte Hornets have had a tough injury-riddled season so far and sit just 10-28 and 14th in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately for the Hornets, their situation only appears to be getting worse.
Veteran wing Kelly Oubre Jr. will reportedly miss the next four to six weeks with a hand injury.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Oubre has been dealing with a torn ligament in his left hand all season and had been playing through pain. He has now opted to undergo hand surgery, which will force him to be sidelined.
“Sources: Hornets forward Kelly Oubre Jr. will undergo surgery on a torn ligament in his left hand and miss 4-to-6 weeks,” Charania tweeted.
“Oubre – averaging a career-high 20.2 points – suffered the injury in the first week of the season and has been playing through the pain on his shooting hand.”
Sources: Hornets forward Kelly Oubre Jr. will undergo surgery on a torn ligament in his left hand and miss 4-to-6 weeks. Oubre – averaging a career high 20.2 points – suffered the injury in the first week of the season and has been playing through the pain on his shooting hand.
Oubre is averaging a career-best 20.2 points to go along with 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 42.1% this season. He has been one of the Hornets’ most reliable players and Charlotte could struggle to compensate for his absence.
NBA analyst says Kevin Durant may be playing the best basketball of his entire career
The Brooklyn Nets have won a league-best 12 straight games to improve to 25-12 and second in the Eastern Conference. Superstar forward Kevin Durant, who has been one of the most consistent star players in the NBA, has been a major reason for their recent run of form.
According to NBA analyst Nick Wright, the 34-year-old star may even be playing the best basketball of his entire 15-year career.
"The story of the Nets' season right now, is Kevin Durant is having one of the most impossibly good shooting seasons in basketball history," Wright said.
"Aside from top of the key threes, the guy is great from every zone on the court. He's shooting 62% on two's and less than 15% of his two's come at the rim.
"What he's doing from mid-range, honestly, has only been approached by prime (Michael) Jordan. That's the truth and he is doing it with a level of efficiency and his defense, I think right now, this might be the best Durant's ever been," Wright continued.
Kevin Durant is averaging 29.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game on a career-best 56.4% shooting this season. As Wright mentioned, Durant’s elite efficiency for such a high-volume shooter is almost unheard of.
If KD can keep up this level of success, he should have a very good chance of winning his second career MVP.