Magic, Suns can’t lose; Jamal Murray, Jalen Johnson updates; CP3-Scott Foster beef
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If you’re still eating leftovers on Monday, let’s mix in some probiotics.
Weekend Stock Report
Who’s up, down after Turkey Weekend?
Do you like magic? What about the freaking sun? Well, you’ll love The Bounce’s Stock Report following this extended weekend’s temperature test of the NBA market. Let’s see who’s notably trending where:
: Orlando Magic . The 12-5 Magic are tied for the longest active win streak (seven straight) and have catapulted to second in the East. Yes, they beat the lowly Bulls twice and the Hornets on Sunday. But Orlando also has beaten the Nuggets, Pacers, Raptors and East-leading Celtics . Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are ballin’, and Orlando’s defense is top notch. The Magic’s next two are against 2-14 Washington .
: Phoenix Suns . The Suns’ seven-game hot stretch ties their best in two seasons. Devin Booker buried the 9-7 Knicks with a nasty side-step 3-pointer yesterday. Kevin Durant missed the 11-6 Suns’ last two wins (foot), but he’s averaging 34.2 points on an absurd 75 percent true shooting during this streak.
: Denver Nuggets . The 11-6 Nuggets salvaged a bit with Sunday’s win over the 3-14 Spurs , but Denver is 2-4 in its last six. During a 1-4 road trip, they scored just 86 points against Houston and beat only 2-14 Detroit . Can championship hangovers take three weeks to kick in?
: San Antonio Spurs. Do the Spurs think they’ll get another Victor Wembanyama by tanking? They’ve lost 12 straight, marking only the NBA’s second-longest losing streak (thanks, Detroit!). Even Wemby’s name was misspelled on his jersey Friday. The Spurs may not win by Dec. 21, when they visit Chicago hoping to avoid a 20th straight L.
: New Orleans Pelicans . The Pelicans’ 105-100 loss to 5-11 Utah made me less excited about their run, but I still like what I see. They’ve won five of their last seven, including wins over the Kings , Nuggets, Mavericks and Clippers . Zion Williamson is currently crushing.
: Cleveland ’s court. The raised court has serious issues and recently hurt Dru Smith of the Heat . Even LeBron James doesn’t trust it .
The Latest From Shams
Injury updates for Atlanta , Denver
The Hawks have suffered a big blow as they try to move up the East standings: League sources tell me that forward Jalen Johnson is expected to miss four to six weeks due to a left wrist injury.
I’m told recent tests on the wrist showed no fracture and no need for surgery. After Atlanta traded John Collins in the offseason, the 21-year-old Johnson had stepped in to fill the void at power forward, averaging 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in 15 games (12 starts) this season. The Hawks are 8-8 after Sunday’s loss to Boston but are three games out of a top-four spot in the East. Their road trip resumes in Cleveland on Tuesday.
Out west, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (hamstring) won’t play against the LA Clippers tonight, but I’m told Denver will take a day-by-day approach after that , and it’s possible Murray could return this week depending on how he feels. Murray hasn’t played since Nov. 4, and not counting the game he exited early, Denver is 5-5 without him.
Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray will miss tonight's game vs. Clippers, but is on cusp of return and being monitored day-to-day moving forward, sources say. Reporting on : pic.twitter.com/7qILty60LN— Shams Charania November 27, 2023
Chris Paul v. Scott Foster
How does the NBA fix their beef?
Whether Adam Silver publicly admits it or not, the league has an officiating problem. Stars are routinely being ejected in horrendous fashion. Giannis Antetokounmpo was a recent example against the Pistons. Days later, Nikola Jokić was ejected in Detroit . Now that I think about it, maybe the NBA is just trying to help the Pistons win?
Either way, the NBA’s most glaring officiating issue remains between Warriors guard Chris Paul and referee Scott Foster, which has been the case for years . Paul candidly discussed it at length following a recent ejection by Foster. Last Wednesday , Paul and Foster argued about in-game officiating. Paul used some choice language toward Foster, who sent the future Hall of Famer to the showers.
Here is what Paul said to the media:
At one point, after the ejection, you can see CP3 saying Foster said something about his son . If true, how is the NBA not doing something?
Tom Haberstroh dug up the numbers . CP3’s teams are 3-17 (.150 win percentage) in the playoffs when Foster officiates, dating back to 2007. Bad luck? Maybe. An ax to grind? Considering Paul’s squads are 73-56 (.565 win percentage) in the playoffs without Foster reffing, I’d say so.
Commissioner Silver has to address something when it’s becoming personal enough for referees to allegedly mention a player’s family. Some teams or players have bad luck with certain officials, but Foster seems to be infamous for all the wrong reasons.
If CP3’s claims are true, should Foster be allowed to officiate games involving him? With gambling embedded in the NBA at this point and the league’s desperation to laud officiating at every public turn, Silver and the league office must give us more than cliché public admiration for referees. They can’t run from this problem anymore.
Settle down, Pop
Spurs coach disapproves of crowd jeers
First and foremost, let me get the qualifiers out of the way: I love Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and actually think he’s the greatest coach in NBA history. I also love his personality. He’s tremendously brave to speak up on social issues.
With all that said, what he did Wednesday night was kind of embarrassing. The Clippers visited to play the Spurs, who lost 109-102 . Kawhi Leonard started his career started with the Spurs, won a title, fell out with them over medical issues, and was traded to Toronto in 2018.
During the second quarter last Wednesday, Leonard was at the free-throw line. Spurs fans had been booing him all night, as they typically do. Between attempts, Pop grabbed a mic and had a message for the crowd:
“Excuse me for a second. Can we stop all the booing and let these guys play? It’s got no class; it’s not who we are. Knock off the booing.”
WHAT?! Hilariously, the crowd booed even louder . Maybe Pop feels guilty about how things ended in San Antonio for Leonard. It’s possible he just respects the two-time Finals MVP that much. Pop said it’s about not poking the bear , but this is incredibly weak for him to do.
Far be it from me to be the technical foul police, but how is a coach getting on the PA mic during the game not penalized?
Bounce Passes
The NBA is investigating an alleged inappropriate relationship between Josh Giddey and a potential minor.
Ausar Thompson is doing what most rookies never dream of doing .
A must-read from Jon Krawczynski on Minnesota getting Mike Conley .
Sam Vecenie’s rookie rankings are out — Wemby isn’t where you think !
Law Murray lists what the Clippers have learned with James Harden .
Screen Game (All times Eastern)
(Top photo: Rich Storry / )
