NBA News Wire

NBA roundup: Injury fears led to Durant bolting Team USA

Alan Draper profile picture
Disclosure
We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.

It was fear, not fatigue, that pushed Kevin Durant away from Team USA this summer.

Durant, currently sidelined with a foot injury, reveals in an upcoming HBO documentary that watching as Indiana Pacers forward Paul George fell hard into a basket support at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, fracturing his right leg, he no longer felt comfortable as part of Team USA.

Durant left the team but said at the time it was because of fatique and not anything to do with George’s accident. Durant is also shown talking to coach Mike Krzyzewski and appears visibly shaken when he says softly “I feel like I’m letting somebody down and I hate that feeling.”

—Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine by the NBA on Tuesday after intentionally striking a camera during a 93-81 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

The incident occurred on the baseline with 10:01 remaining in the third quarter of a game Monday night in FedEx Forum in Memphis.

In four games this season, Allen is averaging 7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

—The Grizzlies signed guard Kalin Lucas to an undisclosed contract on Tuesday.

Lucas played in eight preseason games for the Grizzlies and averaged 3.1 points and 1.0 assists. He also spent time with the Grizzlies’ 2014 Orlando Pro Summer League team. The Grizzlies previously signed Lucas on Sept. 25 and waived him on Oct. 25.

The 25-year-old Lucas played for the Iowa Energy in the NBA Development League last season and averaged 15.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He was sent back to the Energy, an affiliate of the Grizzlies, after this preseason.

Alan is an experienced writer of online betting and casino guides. He is one of the main editors of Basketballinsiders.

Trending Now