Let’s take a look around the NBA today, thanks to a number of unexpected stories. We have a game postponement, and injury and recovery updates.
In today’s “that never happens” story, thanks to this week’s storm that dropped a foot of snow across the southern portion of the US, the NBA has been forced to postpone tonight’s game between the Bucks and Pelicans. Even worse for the Bucks, they flew into town early, and are currently stranded while Louis Armstrong International Airport is closed for commercial traffic. They have two days to work out a plan to reach Memphis for their next game.
Dereck Lively Out 2-3 Months Due To Foot Fracture
A key rotation member for the Dallas Mavericks, Lively missed a recent game against the Timberwolves, which prompted further imaging, and the announcement that he may miss up to three months. His timeline leaves him with a return date as late as late-April, which would be the start of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Mavs are still missing star Luka Doncic due to injury.
Gregg Popovich Continues Rehab, Return Uncertain
San Antonio Spurs CEO R.C. Buford made a public statement about the condition of Gregg Popovich, who is recovering from a stroke suffered in November 2024. His update was transcribed by ESPN:
“All I can share is he’s attacking his rehab in a way that … you know Pop, you’ve observed him for years,” Buford, one of the people closest to Popovich, said Wednesday. “The same resilience that he’s shown over the course of our career as a coach, he’s approaching his return in his rehab in an incredibly unique way. The relationships that he had with our former players and the care that they’re sharing with him is amazing. And his improvement continues.”
The Spurs have not set a timeline for Popovich’s return, but he is still a part of the team. Chris Paul admitted that Popovich has been in contact and chats with him on the phone after games. At the moment, Mitch Johnson continues in his role as acting coach, and says Popovich is his usual self, “giving praise and cussing me out, all at the same time.”
