Why Dejounte Murray will make All-Star game; Patty Mills takes Nets teammates out in SA; Pop watch in effect
The NBA regular season is more than halfway done and for the Spurs, it’s been a season of some ups, but many more downs. San Antonio is currently 12th in the Western Conference standings (yikes!). On Dec. 26, the Spurs were four games under .500 at 14-18. Since then, they have lost 12 of 16 games.
LaMarcus Aldridge discusses exit from Spurs, says he was recruited to Brooklyn by Kevin Durant
SAN ANTONIO – LaMarcus Aldridge spoke to the media for the first time Tuesday since his exit from San Antonio and subsequent signing in Brooklyn. The former Spurs all-star power forward said a number of teams reached out to him throughout the buyout process. He told reporters Nets all-star Kevin Durant helped recruit him to Brooklyn. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich reaction to reports LaMarcus Aldridge will sign the Brooklyn Nets after he was bought out by San Antonio earlier this week. #KSATsports #NBA pic.twitter.com/qqBYUR8xqC — RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) March 27, 2021READ MORE: Spurs officially buyout LaMarcus Aldridge
Spurs sign veteran Gorgui Dieng to front line after Aldridge departure
NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs have signed vcenter Gorgui Dieng, adding a nine-year veteran to the front line following the departure of LaMarcus Aldridge. The Spurs waived Marquese Chriss on Sunday to clear a roster spot for Dieng. Spurs make it official and sign Gorgui Dieng. He is out for the season with a leg injury and never appeared in a game for San Antonio.
AP source: LaMarcus Aldridge to sign with Brooklyn Nets
New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Bledsoe (5) is blocked by San Antonio Spurs center LaMarcus Aldridge (12) as he tries to score during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)NEW YORK – LaMarcus Aldridge plans to sign with the Brooklyn Nets for the remainder of the season, a person with knowledge of the details said Saturday. After reaching a buyout agreement with the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, the veteran forward quickly became a coveted free agent for contending teams. He decided to become the latest big name on the Brooklyn roster, the person told The Associated Press. He was an All-Star in three of his seasons in San Antonio.
Jackson, George lead short-handed Clippers past Spurs, 98-85
Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George (13) loses the ball as he is fouled by San Antonio Spurs' Derrick White during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, March 25, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)SAN ANTONIO – Reggie Jackson scored 28 points, Paul George had 24 points and 13 rebounds and the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers rallied in the second half to beat the San Antonio Spurs 98-85 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory. The Spurs outscored the Clippers 28-19 in the second quarter in taking a 55-49 lead at the half. “Coach Albeck wasn’t just important to the Spurs, he was what I call a lifer,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. … San Antonio acquired Marquese Chriss and cash from Golden State for the rights to Cady Lalanne.
Spurs officially buyout LaMarcus Aldridge, trade for Warriors forward
SAN ANTONIO – After more than five seasons in San Antonio, veteran power forward LaMarcus Aldridge will be playing for a new team in the near future. MORE ⤵️ — San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 25, 2021Aldridge appeared in a total of 376 games for the Spurs and averaged 19.5 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.25 blocks for San Antonio. While the Spurs were not able to trade Aldridge, they made a deal with the Golden State Warriors before the deadline. San Antonio reportedly traded for forward Marquese Chriss, however, the third-year player was injured earlier this year and has been ruled out for the season. San Antonio sent Cady Lalanne, a 2015 second-round draft pick, to the Warriors and received some cash compensation.
Trade deadline passes, and Kyle Lowry remains with Raptors
Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) celebrates a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Kyle Lowry wound up staying with Toronto after all. The trade deadline has come and gone. “Anytime you trade a player like Nikola, it is a tough decision to make," Magic President Jeff Weltman said. But Lowry — a free-agent-to-be and considered perhaps the biggest prize on this year's trade market — did not get traded, the Raptors apparently unable to find enough assets to their liking. Questions swirled around Lowry all the way to the 3 p.m. EST deadline, and there were signs that the Raptors were positioning themselves to make the move.
Clippers dominate Spurs for 4th straight victory, 134-101
(AP Photo/Darren Abate)SAN ANTONIO – Kawhi Leonard had 25 points and the Los Angeles Clippers never trailed in beating the San Antonio Spurs 134-101 on Wednesday night. The teams meet again Thursday night in the finale of the two-game set in San Antonio. … G Patrick Beverley missed his sixth straight game with a sore right knee. … C Serge Ibaka missed his fifth straight game with tightness in his lower back. If they cannot trade LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio will make him an unrestricted free agent by buying out his remaining contract.
Spurs dominate second half to beat short-handed Magic, 104-77
Orlando Magic forward Gary Clark (12) and San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray (5) scramble for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – Rudy Gay had 19 points, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White each added 17 and the San Antonio Spurs overcame a sluggish start to beat the short-handed Orlando Magic 104-77 on Friday night. San Antonio held an opponent under 80 points for the first time since beating Golden State 89-75 on March 19, 2018. San Antonio closed the first half on a 14-2 run and took its first lead and extending it to 47-39 to close the second quarter. Orlando was held to 10 points in the second quarter, the 19th lowest output in any quarter by a San Antonio opponent under Popovich.
Mavericks pull away late to beat Spurs 115-104
San Antonio Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan (10) prepares to shoot as Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)DALLAS – Luka Doncic had 22 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in his 33rd triple-double, Kristaps Porzingis had 28 points and 14 rebounds and the Dallas Mavericks used a late run to pull away and beat the San Antonio Spurs 115-104 on Wednesday night. Before the game, coach Gregg Popovich announced that Aldridge, 35, in his sixth season in San Antonio, would no longer be with the team by mutual agreement. Mills added 14 points and Rudy Gay had 13 for San Antonio, which was outrebounded 51-30 and outscored 21-2 on second-chance points. Mavericks: Dallas changed its attendance policy coming out of the All-Star break and admitted about 3,500, an increase of about 1,000.
Popovich announces Aldridge will be moving on from Spurs
New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Bledsoe (5) is blocked by San Antonio Spurs center LaMarcus Aldridge (12) as he tries to score during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)DALLAS – LaMarcus Aldridge has played his final game for the San Antonio Spurs, with coach Gregg Popovich announcing Wednesday night that the team and the seven-time All-Star have mutually agreed to seek opportunities for him elsewhere. The Spurs will try to trade Aldridge before the March 25 deadline. “LaMarcus is not with the team," Popovich said before the Spurs played the Dallas Mavericks. The 35-year-old Aldridge was in his sixth season with the Spurs after playing his first nine NBA seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.
LaMarcus Aldridge no longer with Spurs; Popovich working with veteran forward for opportunity ‘elsewhere’
San Antonio Spurs center LaMarcus Aldridge (12) is defended by Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman, middle, and forward Draymond Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. SAN ANTONIO – The Spurs announced on Wednesday that veteran power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is no longer with the team as San Antonio tips-off the second half of the 2020-21 regular season. AdAldridge is averaging 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season in 21 games for San Antonio. Aldridge was named to the Western Conference All-Star team three times during his tenure in San Antonio. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Spurs are attempting to trade Aldridge before the March 25 trade deadline.
Gilgeous-Alexander has 33, helps Thunder rally past Spurs
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – Oklahoma City and San Antonio are fighting fatigue and injuries, but the Thunder found a way to win a battle of attrition heading into the All-Star break. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 33 points and Oklahoma City rallied in the second half to beat San Antonio 107-102 on Thursday night and snap a two-game losing streak. “Our guys did a heck of a job hanging in there,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said. “We’re not a team that gives up 26 points on turnovers,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. TIP-INSThunder: Hill has not played since Jan. 24 after undergoing what Oklahoma City called a “minor procedure” on his right thumb.
Lyles, Murray lead Spurs to victory, snapping Knicks’ streak
San Antonio Spurs forward Trey Lyles (41) shoots over New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – Trey Lyles scored a season-high 18 points, Dejounte Murray added 17 and the San Antonio Spurs used a balanced effort to beat New York 119-83 on Tuesday night, ending the Knicks’ three-game winning streak. San Antonio had eight players score at least eight points, with Patty Mills and Luka Samanic each adding 14 points in the Spurs' seventh straight home victory over New York. Coming off a 124-113 overtime loss to Brooklyn on Monday night, San Antonio got off to a slow start but was aided by New York’s own troubles. … The Knicks have not won in San Antonio since Jan. 2, 2014.
DeMar DeRozan has 32 points, 11 assists in Spurs’ victory
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)SAN ANTONIO – DeMar DeRozan had 32 points and 11 assists and the short-handed San Antonio Spurs held on to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 117-114 on Saturday night. Brandon Ingram had 29 points and Zion Williamson added 23 points and 14 rebounds for New Orleans. It marked the fifth time DeRozan has had at least 25 points and 10 assists since joining the Spurs in 2018. Dejounte Murray added 18 points, and Lonnie Walker IV had 17 for San Antonio. San Antonio finished 12 for 32 on 3-pointers.
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 42 as Thunder top Spurs 102-99
San Antonio Spurs guard Lonnie Walker IV goes to the basket between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), Spurs' Jakob Poeltl (25) and Thunder forward Darius Bazley (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)OKLAHOMA CITY – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 42 points and Lu Dort hit a 3-pointer as time expired to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a 102-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. San Antonio turned the ball over with 3.9 seconds remaining, giving Oklahoma City the ball with the score tied. San Antonio hadn't played since Feb. 14 because of health and safety protocols, and the Spurs were still depleted. His layup at the end of the third as time expired put Oklahoma City up 76-73.
Spurs, short-handed and reeling, get back on practice floor
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, right, talks to San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)The San Antonio Spurs are still dealing with a coronavirus outbreak, their state is reeling from the aftereffects of a deadly icy blast that has affected millions of Texans, and one of their best players is mourning the death of a parent. Given all that, basketball seems secondary to the Spurs right now. They will be without at least six players when they return to the court Wednesday at Oklahoma City. The NBA initially said last week that four Spurs players had tested positive for COVID-19, without identifying any by name.
Spurs announce five players in NBA’s COVID health and safety protocols after positive tests
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 30: Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs #3 drives past Kyle Anderson #1 #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies at AT&T Center on January 30, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs announced on Monday that five players are currently under the NBA’s COVID health and safety protocols and will not be with the team for its next scheduled game at Oklahoma City. The team was placed under quarantine in Charlotte, but some of the players have returned to San Antonio and practiced on Monday afternoon. San Antonio power forward Drew Eubanks was placed under the league’s health protocols earlier this season after the Spurs played at the LA Lakers on Jan. 7.
DeRozan leads Spurs to strong start, 125-114 win over Hawks
(AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)ATLANTA – DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points and the San Antonio Spurs capitalized on a dominant finish to the first half to beat Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks 125-114 on Friday night. Young and other Atlanta starters sat out most of the second half after San Antonio stretched its lead to 39. San Antonio led the full game and pulled away with 16 straight points late in the first half. San Antonio led 57-44 before starting the 16-0 run. The Spurs led 77-48 at the break after scoring their most points in any half this season.
Mills scores 31 to lead Spurs past Curry-less Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors are finding out what it's like to be a team saddled with injuries. LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 points for the Spurs (4-1), who were coming off their first loss of the season a night earlier. D'Angelo Russell led Golden State (1-4) with 30 points. The game was an indication of the uphill battle facing Golden State without Curry, who underwent surgery after breaking his left hand Wednesday against Phoenix. Russell scored 19 points in the first half and the Warriors were within two points at the break, 57-55.