In this edition of NBA rumors and notes, I will look at two NBA teams that received fantastic news regarding injuries to key players earlier tonight. Plus, how Draymond Green‘s suspension affects the Golden State Warriors.
NBA Rumors: Good News Coming From Magic and Heat Regarding Key Injured Players, Draymond Green Indefinite Suspension
Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter Jr. Participate In Practice
Orlando Magic starting point guard and center Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter Jr. were partial participants in Wednesday’s practice, head coach Jamahl Moseley told reporters today.
Wendell Carter and Markelle Fultz are nearing their return for the #Magic as they rejoined the team at practice today: https://t.co/qBNouIiW3u
— Philip Rossman-Reich (@philiprr_OMD) December 14, 2023
“It was a great day for them,” Mosley said.
However, it is not clear when either Fultz or Carter will return. Fultz, who had a career season last year, missed the previous 15 games with left knee tendinitis. Meanwhile, Carter has been sidelined with a broken hand since Nov. 4.
Carter told Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel that his left hand isn’t quite full strength yet, calling it “85-90%.”
“It’s like right at the last bit of my recovery. … I just kind of look at each day as an opportunity to allow it get better,” he said.
Orlando has won two straight games and is 16-7 on the season, tying the Milwaukee Bucks for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. The Magic is off until Dec. 15, when they travel to Boston to face the Celtics.
Miami Could Get Pair Back Over The Next Couple of Weeks
While there is no firm timetable, Miami Sun Sentinel Ira Winderman is reporting that the Miami Heat could be getting a couple of key contributors back in the next couple of weeks. According to Winderman, guard Tyler Herro (ankle sprain) and center Bam Adebayo (hip contusion) are expected to return before Miami’s West Coast trip that begins on December 28.
Herro has been sidelined with a sprained ankle since November 8. But he has upped his work recently. Meanwhile, Adebayo missed his fifth straight game on Wednesday against Charlotte. The Heat, who improved to 3-2 without Adebayo over this stretch with their 115-104 victory, were also without Josh Richardson versus the Hornets.
#CHAvsMIA INJURY UPDATE: Josh Richardson (illness) has been ruled out of tonight's game vs the Hornets.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 13, 2023
Draymond Green Suspended Indefinitely
A little while ago, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported hours ago that Green is being suspended indefinitely.
ESPN Sources: The NBA is suspending Golden State’s Draymond Green indefinitely. pic.twitter.com/CNaIXavM0C
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 14, 2023
The suspension will begin immediately, and Green “will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before he returns to play,” per the NBA.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/MUyW5ygJsb
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 14, 2023
The suspension results from Green being ejected from the Warriors-Suns game last night after earning a flagrant 2 foul for striking Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the head during the third quarter of Phoenix’s win. It was Green’s third ejection of the season.
Wojnarowski added that Green, Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Green’s agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports are expected to meet Thursday to start discussing a path of counseling and help Green move forward, sources said. The league didn’t want to put a specific number on the suspension but allow Green to take the time he might need to deal with challenges he’s facing.
The NBA cited Green’s “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts” as a factor in his indefinite suspension. Green was suspended for one game during last season’s playoffs for stomping on the chest of Kings center Domantas Sabonis. Then he received a five-game ban for putting Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock last month.
Who Could Replace Green in the Starting Lineup
Golden State is 10-13 on the season and has lost two straight. The Warriors are 3-5 in the previous eight games that Green has missed. Chris Paul, who started six of the eight games Green previously missed, may move back into the starting lineup. But Dario Saric and Jonathan Kuminga will likely receive most of Green’s 25.1 minutes of playing time. Trayce Jackson-Davis will presumably see an uptick in court time.
In the eight games Green has missed, the Warriors’ offense averages one point less, and their defense is allowed 2.1 points more than their season average. Kuminga averaged 11.6 points and 3.9 rebounds, while Saric compiled 11.1 points and 6.0 boards in those eight contests.
