Golden State Warriors
Forward Jonathan Kuminga is targeting Saturday’s home matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans for his return to action, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater. The third-year player scrimmaged with the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors on Wednesday, his first full workout since bilateral knee tendinitis forced him out of the lineup.
Kuminga has missed seven consecutive games, last appearing on Nov. 12. The injury was initially labeled day-to-day, but lingering soreness extended his absence to roughly two weeks. He opened the season as a starter and received a public endorsement from head coach Steve Kerr, yet slipped to the bench in his final game before the setback.
Golden State can use an immediate boost. The Warriors rank 22nd in offensive rating at 113.2 and will be without Stephen Curry for at least a week after the guard suffered a right quad contusion in Wednesday’s loss to Houston.
Washington Wizards
Guard / forward Corey Kispert sustained a fracture on the tip of his right thumb and will be treated without surgery, the team announced. The Athletic’s Josh Robbins reported that similar injuries generally heal in about three weeks.
Kispert was hurt during Tuesday’s win over Atlanta when Nickeil Alexander-Walker swiped at the ball, leaving the 26-year-old shaking his hand in pain. He exited shortly afterward. Through 17 games (two starts), Kispert is averaging 8.9 points in 19.9 minutes while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from three.
With Kispert and rookie Tre Johnson (hip flexor strain) unavailable, Washington is expected to lean on Cam Whitmore and first-year wing Will Riley for minutes on the perimeter, per Robbins.
NBA Draft
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman projects Kansas guard Darryn Peterson as the No. 1 pick in his latest mock draft. Duke forward Cameron Boozer is listed at No. 2, followed by BYU wing AJ Dybantsa at No. 3. Wasserman notes that concerns about Dybantsa’s decision-making and three-point accuracy could push scouts toward Peterson or Boozer.
North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson lands at No. 4, while Tennessee forward Nate Ament completes the top five.
Source: Hoops Wire
