In the News

Grizzlies beat Trail Blazers 93-89 (Yahoo! Sports)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Rudy Gay scored 21 points and had a key block in the final seconds as the Memphis Grizzlies won their fourth straight, 93-89 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night.

Hill, Suns pull away from weary Minnesota 104-95 (Yahoo! Sports)

Phoenix's old-timer injected the necessary energy for the Suns, and the weary Minnesota Timberwolves faded away at the finish. The result was a 104-95 Phoenix victory Thursday night, the ninth consecutive time the Suns have beaten Minnesota. Grant Hill, at 39 the NBA's second-oldest player by one day behind Kurt Thomas, scored 15 of his 20 points in the second half.

Lawson scores 18 as Nuggets beat Blazers 104-95 (Yahoo! Sports)

DENVER (AP) Ty Lawson had 18 points and nine assists in his return to the lineup, Kenneth Faried scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and the Denver Nuggets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 104-95 on Wednesday night.

Blazers F Thomas leaves game with mild concussion (Yahoo! Sports)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Kurt Thomas has left a game against Denver with a mild concussion. Thomas was hurt when he was hit with the ball by Kenneth Faried as the Nuggets forward tried to save it from going out of bounds with 7:59 left in the first quarter Wednesday night. The ball hit Thomas and he fell into a row of photographers on the baseline.

Blazers F Thomas leaves game with mild concussion (Yahoo! Sports)
DENVER (AP) Portland Trail Blazers forward Kurt Thomas has left a game against Denver with a mild concussion.

Kings beat Blazers to halt 5-game slide (AP)

(AP) -- Marcus Thornton scored 20 points and John Salmons had a season-high 19 for the Sacramento Kings, who snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 95-92 on Thursday night. The Blazers had beaten the Kings in 12 of the previous 13 games, but Sacramento ran off five straight points late in the game and held off Portland, which missed two 3-pointers in the final 10...

Stuckey steps up as Pistons stun Blazers (AP)

Rodney Stuckey scored 28 points and the Detroit Pistons won for only the second time in 12 games, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 94-91 on Saturday night. Raymond Felton lost control of the ball at midcourt as Portland was trying to tie it in the final seconds. The Trail Blazers were down three after Felton made two free throws with 37 seconds remaining.

Blazers C Camby tweaks knee, to have MRI (AP)
Trail Blazers center Marcus Camby was ruled out for Portland's preseason finale against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night after tweaking his left knee during warmups. Camby will have an MRI as a precaution on Thursday, but coach Nate McMillan didn't believe the injury was serious. Kurt Thomas started in place of the 15-year veteran.

Blazers to sign veteran C Thomas, sources say
Veteran enforcer Kurt Thomas is signing a two-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to sources with knowledge of the deal.

Blazers sign veteran C Kurt Thomas
The Portland Trail Blazers have signed 16-yard NBA veteran center Kurt Thomas.

Blazers sign Thomas, NBA's oldest player (AP)
The Portland Trail Blazers have signed 16-yard NBA veteran center Kurt Thomas. Terms of the deal were not announced. At 39, Thomas is the NBA's oldest active player. He played last season with Chicago, averaging 4.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 52 games, including 37 starts. For his career, Thomas has averaged 8.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

Blazers sign veteran center Thomas from Bulls
Veteran enforcer Kurt Thomas is signing a two-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to sources with knowledge of the deal.

Bulls' Noah out against Timberwolves (AP)
The Chicago Bulls have scratched Joakim Noah from the lineup against Minnesota because of a sprained right ankle. Noah practiced on Tuesday and tested the ankle out in pregame warmups on Wednesday night, but was unable to go. Kurt Thomas started in his place. Noah is averaging 12.1 points and 11 rebounds, and the Bulls rely on his board work to start their fast breaks.

Kurt Thomas scores 22, helps Bulls win (AP)

Kurt Thomas scored 22 points and Derrick Rose added 21 points and 10 assists to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 92-83 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night. Thomas scored his most points since Jan. 25, 2005. He also had nine rebounds and five assists in the win. Chris Douglas-Roberts scored a season-high 30 points, one shy of his career high, for the Bucks.

Bulls hand Cavaliers 16th straight loss (AP)

Derrick Rose scored 24 points, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 92-79 victory Saturday night that extended the Cleveland Cavaliers' losing streak to 16 games. Cleveland (8-35) has also lost 20 straight on the road, one shy of the franchise record. The Cavs last won away from Quicken Loans Arena on Nov.

Rose's 29 points, 10 rebounds lead Bulls (AP)

Derrick Rose had 29 points and a season-high 10 rebounds to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers 99-86 Friday night. Rose, who scored 20 points in the second half, also had five assists. Luol Deng had 17 points and five assists, Carlos Boozer scored 14 points and Kurt Thomas had a season-high 18 rebounds.

Kurt Thomas to start again for Bulls on Saturday, and possibly for a while longer
Kurt Thomas will start again for the Bulls on Saturday, and possibly for a while longer.

Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson will sit out against the Philadelphia 76ers and Kurt Thomas will start
Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson will miss Tuesday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers after suffering a concussion Saturday, and Kurt Thomas will replace him in the starting lineup.

Deng, Rose lead Bulls over Raptors (AP)

Luol Deng scored 22 points, Derrick Rose had 20 and the Chicago Bulls beat the Toronto Raptors 110-103 in exhibition play Wednesday night, snapping a two-game losing streak. Rose also had nine assists and eight rebounds. Brian Scalabrine had 14 points and James Johnson scored 13 of his 14 in the fourth quarter as the Bulls improved to 3-5 in the preseason.

Magic extend preseason win streak to 19 (AP)

If the preseason really counted for something, the Orlando Magic would be NBA champions and Vince Carter would be Mr. October. The reality is this is tuneup time, even if the Magic don't seem to need it. Carter scored all of his 21 points in the first half and the Magic rolled past another opponent for their 19th straight preseason win, 105-67 over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.

Source: Kurt Thomas, Chicago Bulls agree to terms of contract
The Chicago Bulls have agreed to terms with free-agent big man Kurt Thomas.

Source: Bulls sign veteran F Thomas (AP)
A person familiar with the negotiations says veteran forward Kurt Thomas has agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago Bulls. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized. Several outlets reported late Thursday that Thomas was headed to Chicago. The 37-year-old Thomas gives the Bulls a strong defender and rebounder in the frontcourt to go with Joakim...

Thomas agrees to contract with Bulls
A person familiar with the negotiations says veteran forward Kurt Thomas has agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago Bulls.

Report: Thomas, Bulls agree to deal
A person familiar with the negotiations says veteran forward Kurt Thomas has agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago Bulls.

Underdog Bucks put Hawks closer to elimination
With Andrew Bogut cheering from the bench while Brandon Jennings teamed with Kurt Thomas in a duo for the ages, the Milwaukee Bucks pulled within one win of an improbable first-round upset.

Bucks stun Hawks with 14-0 run, lead 3-2 (AP)
With Andrew Bogut cheering from the bench while Brandon Jennings teamed with Kurt Thomas in a duo for the ages, the Milwaukee Bucks pulled within one win of an improbable first-round upset. Jennings scored 25 points, Thomas drew a crucial charging foul against Joe Johnson and the Bucks stunned the home team with a 14-0 run late in the game, beating the favored Hawks 91-87 on Wednesday night for a...

Bucks roll past Hawks, trail series 2-1 (AP)
John Salmons let out a huge sigh at his locker before a wide grin crept across his face. The questions of whether the Milwaukee Bucks can hang with the Atlanta Hawks are over. Salmons scored 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting, Kurt Thomas had eight points, 13 rebounds and four stitches, and the Bucks never let up after a hot start in a 107-89 Game 3 victory on Saturday night after a three-day layoff.

Carter rallies Magic after collision (AP)

Vince Carter overcame a hard collision to score 25 points, rallying the Orlando Magic for a 117-92 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. Carter was thrust under the courtside seats on a hard hit by Ersan Ilyasova late in the third quarter that gave Orlando a brief scare. The Magic's star shooting guard shook off the pain and never exited, igniting a 17-2 run that helped them pull...

Spurs re-up with veteran Thomas
The San Antonio Spurs re-signed Kurt Thomas on Tuesday, keeping the veteran forward after trading for him in February. The team did not disclose terms of the deal. The 6-foot-9 Thomas averaged 4.5 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Spurs in 28 games. Thomas appeared in all 17 playoff games for San Antonio, averaging 4.1 points and 4.9 rebounds. Thomas, who will begin his 14th season with his sixth team, was acquired in a deal that sent Brent Barry and Francisco Elson to Seattle.

Spurs re-sign F Kurt Thomas (AP)
The San Antonio Spurs re-signed Kurt Thomas on Tuesday, keeping the veteran forward after trading for him in February. The team did not disclose terms of the deal. The 6-foot-9 Thomas averaged 4.5 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Spurs in 28 games. Thomas appeared in all 17 playoff games for San Antonio, averaging 4.1 points and 4.9 rebounds.

Spurs re-sign trade-deadline acquisition Thomas
The Spurs have re-signed Kurt Thomas, keeping the veteran forward after trading for him in February.

How Spurs can dig out of 2-0 hole
Use Kurt Thomas more. Slow the tempo. And stop shooting bricks. Those are among Charley Rosen's suggestions for the Spurs.

Spurs beat Hornets 99-80 to force Game 7 (AP)

The San Antonio Spurs' Big Three came through, but they'll still have to win one on the road to keep their title defense alive. Manu Ginobili scored 25 points, Tim Duncan had 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Tony Parker added 15 points in the Spurs' 99-80 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in Game 6 on Thursday night.

Spurs re-sign Barry a month after trading him
The San Antonio Spurs re-signed guard Brent Barry on Monday, a month after trading him to Seattle. The SuperSonics waived Barry on Feb. 21, a day after acquiring him, Francisco Elson and a 2009 first-round draft pick from the Spurs for Kurt Thomas. Barry had to sit out 30 days before he could re-sign with San Antonio. Before the trade, Barry averaged 7.3 points in 29 games for the Spurs. He has averaged 7.3 points in 259 games since signing with the Spurs in 2004.

Spurs win 11th straight
San Antonio notched its 11th consecutive victory by cruising past the Pacers. Hear from newcomer, Kurt Thomas, after the 108-97 win.

Spurs get Thomas from Sonics for playoff push
The San Antonio Spurs acquired veteran forward Kurt Thomas from the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday night for guard Brent Barry, center Francisco Elson and a 2009 first-round draft pick.

Parker's minutes will be limited in return
Tony Parker will return to the San Antonio Spurs' lineup Thursday night, his first game in about three weeks. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Parker, out since Jan. 30 with a left ankle injury, will start but see limited minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Parker is averaging 19 points and six assists for the defending champions. Popovich also said he expects newly acquired big man Kurt Thomas to join the team sometime this weekend.

Spurs acquire F Kurt Thomas from Sonics (AP)
The San Antonio Spurs acquired veteran forward Kurt Thomas from the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday night in exchange for guard Brent Barry, center Francisco Elson and a 2009 first-round draft pick.

Spurs acquire big man Thomas in deal with Sonics
The Spurs have reportedly acquired Kurt Thomas from the Sonics.

Sonics end 14-game skid, stun Spurs (AP)

Kevin Durant scored 26 points, including the go-ahead jump shot with 32.6 seconds remaining and Seattle stunned the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs 88-85 on Tuesday night to finally end a team-record losing streak at 14 games. Durant swished an open shot created by a screen from Kurt Thomas, whose consecutive open jumpers had given Seattle an unlikely lead with 90 seconds to go.

Hawks extend SuperSonics' skid to 13 (AP)

Marvin Williams scored a career-high 33 points to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 99-90 victory that extended the Seattle SuperSonics' losing streak to a franchise-record tying 13 games. Williams, who grew up in Bremerton, just a ferry ride away from Seattle, had 16 points in the first half as the Hawks blew away the Sonics early to end a four-game losing streak.

Mavs cruise to sixth consecutive win (AP)

Whether it was Dirk Nowitzki, Devin Harris or Josh Howard, no one was immune from Dallas' early shooting slump. The Mavericks never stopped playing defense. Eventually Dallas found its offense, led by Nowtizki's 20 points, and combined with its lockdown defense on Seattle rookie Kevin Durant, the Mavericks easily routed the hapless SuperSonics 90-70 on Friday night.

Durant's 30 help Sonics beat Knicks (AP)

Kevin Durant scored 30 points, fellow rookie Jeff Green added 17, and the Seattle SuperSonics beat the slumping New York Knicks 117-110 Wednesday night. Former Knicks forward Kurt Thomas scored five clutch points in the final 2:31 as Seattle handed New York its fourth straight loss. Luke Ridnour and Wally Szczerbiak each scored 12 points to help the SuperSonics snap a five-game road skid.

Durant, Sonics extend Clippers' skid (AP)

Rookie Kevin Durant led five Seattle players in double figures with 18 points, and the SuperSonics beat the Los Angeles Clippers 95-88 on Wednesday night, extending the Clippers' longest losing streak in nearly three years. Los Angeles lost its seventh straight, most since dropping eight consecutive games in February 2005.

Bryant's 35 helps Lakers beat Sonics (AP)

Kobe Bryant scored six of his 35 points in the final 3:51 and the Los Angeles Lakers beat Seattle 106-99 Tuesday night, snapping a three-game skid and sending the SuperSonics to their fifth straight loss. Rookie Kevin Durant had 25 points for the Sonics, who are league-worst 2-13 in their first season under coach P.J.

Kurt Thomas, F/C - SEA
Kurt Thomas out for Sonics Visit Rotoworld.com for more analysis on this update.