Northwest Roundup: George’s Injury Threatens MIP Bid; Gilgeous-Alexander Breaks 20-Point Record
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Salt Lake City, UT — Jazz guard Keyonte George is unlikely to meet the NBA’s 65-game requirement for awards consideration after a left hamstring strain sidelined him until at least late next week, leaving his Most Improved Player hopes in serious doubt.
George has appeared in 54 games, though one contest is ineligible because he logged fewer than 15 minutes. To reach the threshold, he would need to return next Saturday and play in each of Utah’s final 12 regular-season games — a scenario head coach Will Hardy views as improbable.
“I would like to get Keyonte 65,” Hardy said earlier this month. “But we’re going to approach it a game at a time and make sure that he’s healthy. We’re going to choose the health of our players over chasing awards.”
The 22-year-old is posting career highs with 23.6 points, 6.1 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.6% from the field, 37.1% from three and 89.2% at the line. He becomes eligible for a rookie-scale extension in July.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s Historic Consistency
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 127 consecutive regular-season games, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain’s long-standing NBA record. The streak dates to Oct. 30, 2024, when he finished with 18 against San Antonio.
Johnson Seeking Rhythm in Denver
Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson acknowledged an “up-and-down” debut season in Denver as he continues to adapt with one month left in the schedule. Head coach David Adelman said the staff wants Johnson to be more decisive, noting, “Sometimes he’s trying to make perfect plays instead of the play that’s right in front of him.”
Johnson has scored at least 15 points in three straight games for only the second time this season. He will be extension-eligible this summer and is owed $23.1 million in 2026/27, the final year of his current contract.
Silver Upbeat on Moda Center Renovations
During a visit to Portland, NBA commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism about securing public funding to upgrade the Trail Blazers’ home arena, the Moda Center. Silver praised bipartisan cooperation among state and city officials and cited the building’s importance beyond basketball, including its role as the soon-to-launch WNBA expansion Fire’s venue.
Source: Hoops Rumors
