- The NBA has nearly a full slate of games on college football conference championship Saturday. The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers kick off the action at 4 p.m. (ET), while the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Charlotte Hornets at 5 p.m. Thus, leaving 10 games for the NBA main docket. The following is some news and rumors surrounding Victor Wembanyama, and Lauri Markkanen, plus more.
- Victor Wembanyama Misses First Game As Spurs’ Losing Streak Extends to 14
Wembanyama sat out his first NBA game in San Antonio’s 121-106 setback to New Orleans on Friday. Wembanyama has been dealing with right hip tightness and considers himself “day-to-day,” wrote Andrew Lopez of ESPN. The good news is that the injury doesn’t seem too serious and the Spurs are off until December 6th when they head to Minnesota. So, the 7-4 rookie will have plenty of time to rest up.Justin Champaignie started in place of Wembanyama at power forward, moving Zach Collins over to center. Champaignie produced 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists in 22 minutes of action. It has was Champaignie’s fifth start of the season for the Spurs who have dropped 14 straight games
Trey Murphy III Solid In Season Debut
Trey Murphy III made his season debut for the Pelicans on Friday night after missing the first 19 games while rehabilitating from arthroscopic surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee. Murphy scored 18 points on 7 of 13 shooting, including 4 of 10 from the 3-point line. He also grabbed three rebounds and doled out one assist, one steal, and one block in 22 minutes off the bench. The Pelicans improved to 11-9 on the season with the win.On a two-game winning streak, New Orleans faces the Chicago Bulls at the United Center tonight at 8 p.m. (ET). While Murphy is expected to be available for the second back-to-back game, the Pelicans won’t have CJ McCollum. McCollum, who has appeared in the Pels’ last two games, will sit out tonight as part of his recovery plan after missing 12 straight contests due to a collapsed lung. Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, McCollum is expected to rejoin the team when New Orleans faces Sacramento on Monday night.
Clark also reported that Pelicans coach Willie Green said that Zion Williamson, who normally sits out the second of back-t0-back
affairs, is also expected to play tonight
- Chicago Bulls
Chicago will be without starter Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan (ankle) could also sit out tonight. LaVine is out for at least a week, according to the team. LaVine initially sat out the Bulls’ game on November 22 due to what was listed on the injury report as right foot soreness. The issue flared up again during Tuesday’s loss to Boston, forcing him out of action for Thursday’s contest vs. Milwaukee.DeRozan is in danger of missing his second straight game, as he is questionable for tonight. KC Johnson of NBC Chicago spoke to Bulls’ coach Billy Donovan about DeRozan’s injury.
- Chicago will be without starter Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan (ankle) could also sit out tonight. LaVine is out for at least a week, according to the team. LaVine initially sat out the Bulls’ game on November 22 due to what was listed on the injury report as right foot soreness. The issue flared up again during Tuesday’s loss to Boston, forcing him out of action for Thursday’s contest vs. Milwaukee.
DeRozan is in danger of missing his second straight game, as he is questionable for tonight. KC Johnson of NBC Chicago spoke to Bulls’ coach Billy Donovan about DeRozan’s injury.
- Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen will miss his fifth straight game tonight against Portland with a hamstring issue. According to Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune, Markkanen “continues to make progress” and will be re-evaluated sometime next week.
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