Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic continues rehab on a fractured right ring finger and hopes to log game action before the postseason. The injury, sustained on March 6, is expected to sideline him for at least a month.
“The good thing is I can still do some stuff on the court,” Vucevic said, adding that he aims to regain rhythm “that week between regular season and playoffs.” He reported minimal pain, reduced swelling and plans to undergo an X-ray at the three-week mark to determine if he can ramp up activity.
Cap outlook in Boston
Boston is positioned to remain below the NBA’s first tax apron next season, according to Brian Robb of MassLive. The club has roughly $185 million in salary on the books, including $9 million in non-guaranteed money, and could trim payroll if needed. Team-friendly contracts for emerging young players are expected to aid that effort.
Minott vents after Nets’ narrow loss
The Brooklyn Nets fell 93-92 to the New York Knicks, extending their city-rival skid to 14 games. Forward Josh Minott scored a career-high 22 points but left the court visibly upset. “I wanted that st so [expletive] bad,” he said, lamenting the pro-Knicks crowd at Barclays Center: “Every game we play, it’s a sea of the other team.”
Barrett upbeat despite Raptors defeat
The Toronto Raptors exited Friday’s 121-115 loss in Denver encouraged by their overall trajectory. Guard RJ Barrett noted the club sits fifth in the Eastern Conference heading into Sunday’s matchup in Phoenix. “The more we get healthy, the more we play together, the better it’s going to be for us,” Barrett said, while acknowledging “times and moments that we can play better as a team.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
