McCain Heads to G League; Barlow Cleared, Walsh Promoted, Minott Slides, Ingram Fined
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PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers assigned second-year guard Jared McCain to the Delaware Blue Coats on Thursday, aiming to boost his conditioning after an 11-month layoff caused by knee and thumb injuries. McCain has logged 31 minutes over three NBA games since returning, missing all nine field-goal attempts and failing to score. Head coach Nick Nurse said the guard is expected to play for Delaware on Thursday night and again Saturday before rejoining the NBA roster.
“I just really want him to get some trips up and down the court,” Nurse explained, adding that the G League stint should give McCain longer stretches of live action than the “three really short stints” he has had in the past 11 months.
More Atlantic Division updates
• Sixers forward Dominick Barlow has been cleared to return from a right elbow injury that kept him out since Oct. 25, Nurse told reporters Thursday. Barlow started at power forward in Philadelphia’s first two games before the injury; Trendon Watford has filled that role in his absence.
• Boston’s Jordan Walsh earned his first start of the season Wednesday against Memphis after logging crunch-time minutes in the Celtics’ previous two games. The third-year wing posted seven points, six rebounds and two blocks with a +19 plus/minus in 18 minutes. “He’s been more professional and maturing,” guard Payton Pritchard said. “Now, he’s ready for the moment.”
• Josh Minott, who had started nine straight contests for Boston, saw his playing time dip to a season-low eight minutes Tuesday, then came off the bench Wednesday. The 6-foot-8 forward still finished with nine points, five boards and four assists in 22 minutes during the blowout win but continues to battle inconsistency, according to head coach Joe Mazzulla.
• Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram was fined $25,000 for throwing a water bottle that bounced off the court and struck a game attendant. Ingram apologized, saying the act stemmed from frustration over his offensive and defensive play. “I wish I wouldn’t have had anybody else involved,” he said, noting he apologized “a bunch of times” to the attendant who was hit.
Source: HoopsRumors
