The final weekend of preseason play brought injury concerns in Memphis, contract intrigue in Brooklyn and a dress-rehearsal lineup in Los Angeles.
Grizzlies
Memphis guard Ty Jerome limped to the locker room midway through Friday’s exhibition against the Heat and did not return. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo said Jerome suffered a right calf injury and will undergo further evaluation after the club gets back home. His availability for the regular-season opener remains in doubt.
Iisalo added that star guard Ja Morant “is progressing really well,” noting Morant took part in the morning shootaround and could still be cleared for action early in the season.
Nets
Cam Thomas will play 2024-25 on a one-year qualifying offer after declining several extension proposals, setting himself up for unrestricted free agency next summer. The 23-year-old said he aims to show he can impact the game beyond scoring.
“Teams are going to double me, so that’s going to lead to assists,” Thomas said. “But I’m still a scorer at heart.”
The guard trimmed weight during the offseason, has impressed on defense and is averaging a team-high five assists through preseason, according to the New York Post. Hall of Famer and former Net Vince Carter called the coming campaign “the big year for him.”
Thomas averaged 22.5 points last season but was limited to 25 games by hamstring trouble. New head coach Jordi Fernández said the priority is “consistency and attention to detail” on both ends of the floor.
Lakers
First-year coach JJ Redick appeared to unveil his preferred starting five in Friday’s 118-117 loss to the Kings, opening with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and Gabe Vincent. The group built a strong first-half cushion before Sacramento rallied late.
Vincent paced the starters with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, while Hachimura, Ayton and Doncic also reached double figures. “There’s a lot of shooting around Luka and DA,” Redick said, via SB Nation. “Gabe is another ball handler, another tough defender. I think he fits in well.”
Reserve center Jaxson Hayes exited with a wrist contusion; X-rays were negative. Despite the narrow defeat, Redick called the performance “a step forward.” Guard Marcus Smart echoed the sentiment: “We’re very prepared. Everybody’s eager to get out there and ready to perform.”
Los Angeles opens the regular season Tuesday night at home against the Warriors.
Source: Hoops Wire
