Check out the news that highlighted the day in the NBA, including a fat bonus for Jusuf Nurkic, LeBron James’ offseason plans, Step Curry’s contact lenses and more.
Nurkic earned a $1.25M bonus with win No. 50 | ESPN
The Portland Trail Blazers won their 50th game this season with a home victory over the Memphis Grizzlies and this victory activated Jusuf Nurkic’s $1.25 million bonus. The injured center had to appear in a minimum of 70 games to be eligible for the bonus and he played in 72 games prior to suffering two fractures to his lower left leg against the Brooklyn Nest ten days ago.
Win no. 50 for Portland has now earned injured center Jusuf Nurkic a $1.25M bonus. Nurkic had to appear in a minimum of 70 games (played in 72) and the Trail Blazers win 50 games. The bonus will cost the team an additional $2.19M toward the luxury tax…. https://t.co/TpNzITvQi1
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) April 4, 2019
LeBron: Offseason ‘critical’ for himself, Lakers | ESPN
After a disappointing first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James believes the upcoming offseason will be “critical” for him and the team after the Lakers missed the playoffs for the sixth straight year.
“It’s a critical summer for myself,” James said. “Obviously, the franchise is going to live forever. But for me personally, it’s very critical, because I want to compete and I want to compete now.”
.@KingJames believes the Los Angeles @Lakers face a 'critical' offseason as the team attempts to rebuild after missing the #NBA playoffs for a sixth consecutive yearhttps://t.co/E4MiWRlJHO
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) April 4, 2019
James played a career-low 55 games this year, averaging 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists.
Curry credits contacts for a boost in 3-point shot | ESPN
The Golden State Warriors star evidently boosted his accuracy from downtown in the past few weeks and he credited his contact lenses for the enhancement.
“It’s like the whole world has opened up,” he said. “I have blurry vision like millions of people across the country in terms of needing corrective lenses to see sharper.”
Curry is a 43.6 percent shooter from beyond the arc for his career and 43.8 this season, Curry has a 48.7 three-point percentage since March 16, when he began wearing contacts. Steph also nailed five or more triples in nine consecutive games.
ICYMI: Steph Curry is on a hot streak from 3-point range thanks to new contact lenses that are helping him address a long-standing eye condition. From @ThompsonScribe: https://t.co/OdjRTYooL4 pic.twitter.com/jo1Go0z71U
— The Athletic HQ (@TheAthletic) April 4, 2019
Sources: Heat’s Richardson could miss 2 weeks | ESPN
Miami Heat shooting guard Josh Richardson is facing two weeks on the sidelines after suffering a groin injury, which could limit the team’s chances to reach the postseason this year. Richardson returned to the floor in a loss to the Boston Celtics but left the tilt early in the third quarter. Luckily, the MRI of his groin revealed no structural damage, according to sources close to ESPN.
With Josh Richardson out at least the next two games, the Heat’s late-season playoff run will once again be affected by injuries: https://t.co/KCVROIeC8d
— Shandel Richardson (@ShandelRich) April 4, 2019
Magic release Briscoe, re-sign Carter-Williams | ESPN
The Orlando Magic signed guard Michael Carter-Williams for the rest of the season after releasing Isaiah Briscoe. Briscoe had knee surgery last month and his release allowed the Magic to sign MCW who did play for Orlando on two 10-day contracts previously this year.
RELEASE: Magic sign Michael Carter-Williams for the remainder of the season; waive Isaiah Briscoe pic.twitter.com/r24fKJvrDZ
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) April 4, 2019
