Michael Porter Jr. out for Thursday night’s game against Mavericks; not extension of prior COVID-19 protocol — The Denver Post

Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. was ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks hours before tip-off, due to health and safety protocols. After being expected to return to the lineup one day earlier, Porter was not with the team Thursday, according to the Nuggets’ injury report. His absence is not an extension…

Michael Porter Jr. out for Thursday night’s game against Mavericks; not extension of prior COVID-19 protocol — The Denver Post

Steve Kerr, Draymond Green Rail Against Trump-Fueled Insurrection Before Warriors-Clippers Game — CBS San Francisco

The insurrection by supporters of President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol weighed heavily on the minds of members of the Golden State Warriors, coming just hours before the team tipped-off against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night.

Steve Kerr, Draymond Green Rail Against Trump-Fueled Insurrection Before Warriors-Clippers Game — CBS San Francisco

Clippers’ Marcus Morris Sr. is ‘all team’ in any role — Daily News

Not wanting to disrupt the staring unit’s early success, the 10th-year forward tells coach Tyronn Lue he’s willing to contribute as a reserve as long as it leads to winning

Clippers’ Marcus Morris Sr. is ‘all team’ in any role — Daily News

Bradley Beal scores 60 in Wizards’ loss to 76ers (video) — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Joel Embiid scored 38 points, and the NBA-leading Philadelphia 76ers won, 141-136.

Bradley Beal scores 60 in Wizards’ loss to 76ers (video) — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

 Bradley Beal sank his free throw in the final seconds to reach a milestone, a Washington record-tying 60 points.

Dominant again, Joel Embiid had already made it a moot point.

Embiid scored 38 points, and the NBA-leading Philadelphia 76ers overcame Beal’s first career 60-point game in a 141-136 win over the Wizards on Wednesday night.

The Sixers are an NBA-best 7-1 in coach Doc Rivers’ first season in Philadelphia.

“They pay me to take over the game, and they pay me to dominate,” Embiid said.

Beal scored 57 points through three quarters and seemed poised to not only smash the 60-point mark, but complete Washington’s rally from 21 points down.

nba.nbcsports.com/2021/01/07/bradley-beal-scores-60-in-wizards-loss-to-76ers-video/(opens in a new tab)

Clippers outlast Warriors in ragged game after day of turmoil — Orange County Register

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George score 21 points apiece, and Patrick Beverley and Nicolas Batum combine for a trio of late 3-pointers as the Clippers top Golden State and a cold-shooting Steph Curry, 108-101.

Clippers outlast Warriors in ragged game after day of turmoil — Orange County Register

Buddy Hield’s 4-Point Play Helps Kings Hold Off Bulls, 128-124 — CBS Sacramento

uddy Hield converted a four-point play with 38 seconds left to make up for a horrible shooting night, and the Sacramento Kings held off the Chicago Bulls 128-124 on Wednesday.

Buddy Hield’s 4-Point Play Helps Kings Hold Off Bulls, 128-124 — CBS Sacramento

Ducks prospect Trevor Zegras set gold standard at World Juniors — Orange County Register

The 19-year-old forward, among several gold medal-winning Americans with ties to the Ducks, Kings and Southern California, now can shift his focus to competing for a roster spot in Anaheim.

Ducks prospect Trevor Zegras set gold standard at World Juniors — Orange County Register

Cavaliers’ point guard Darius Garland sprains shoulder, out at least a week — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Cleveland’s point guard corps has been decimated by injuries.

Cavaliers’ point guard Darius Garland sprains shoulder, out at least a week — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Lakers reunion has been gratifying for Marc Gasol and Lionel Hollins — San Gabriel Valley Tribune

For new coaches, first impressions matter. Lionel Hollins made sure he left one by bringing a metaphor to life. Taking over a miserable 11-32 Memphis team midseason in 2009, Hollins told his new roster that after losses and disappointments, they had to look at themselves before casting blame around the room. Then he told the…

Lakers reunion has been gratifying for Marc Gasol and Lionel Hollins — San Gabriel Valley Tribune

NBA updates mental health policies amid ongoing pandemic — WGNO

The league told teams they should establish “education and awareness materials focused on managing mental health during times of uncertainty and coping strategies for addressing the emotional toll of the pandemic.”

NBA updates mental health policies amid ongoing pandemic — WGNO

Tuukka Rask Sheds Light On Looming Free Agency, Only Wants To Play For Bruins — NESN.com

If Tuukka Rask is to continue playing after this season, he wants it to be in Boston. The Bruins netminder is entering the final season of his eight-year deal, at which point he’ll be an unrestricted free agent. He’s 33-years-old, has won a Vezina Trophy, his name is on the Stanley Cup, and he has […]

Tuukka Rask Sheds Light On Looming Free Agency, Only Wants To Play For Bruins — NESN.com

Pistons’ rookie Killian Hayes suffers labral tear in hip, out at least 4-6 weeks — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

He will have to decide if surgery, keeping him out for the season, is the next step.

Pistons’ rookie Killian Hayes suffers labral tear in hip, out at least 4-6 weeks — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports