Hoosiers in the NBA: Oladipo waived, TJD’s minutes fall and Anunoby currently sidelined

  • 02/14/2024 8:19 am in

Under 30 games remain in the NBA regular season and it’s time for our third “Hoosiers in the NBA” update.

Here’s an updated look at how each of the seven Hoosiers in the NBA are performing through more than 50 games of the 2023-24 campaign:

Eric Gordon – Phoenix

2023-24 stats (46 games): 12.5 points, 2.3 assists, 2.2 rebounds in 29.8 minutes per game

At 35 years old, Gordon is still a productive rotation player who can bury shots from the perimeter and finish at the rim. Since his days at North Central in Indianapolis, Gordon has always been a physical, hard-nosed player who contributes to winning.

In his most recent game – a 130-125 win against Sacramento on Tuesday night – Gordon scored 23 points in 27 minutes off the bench. He was 8-for-17 from the floor and made four 3-pointers.

Playoff outlook: At 32-22, the Suns are tied for 5th place in the Western Conference with New Orleans.

O.G. Anunoby – New York

2023-24 stats (41 games): 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals in 34.2 minutes per game

The 26-year-old forward is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery on his elbow to remove a loose bone fragment. He is expected to be re-evaluated in a couple of weeks.

Since the Knicks acquired him on Dec. 30, Anunoby has averaged 15.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, his plus-minus rating over his first 14 games with the franchise is the most since play-by-play tracking began in the 1996-97 season.

Playoff outlook: The Knicks are currently 4th in the Eastern Conference and are 1.5 games behind Milwaukee for third.

Victor Oladipo – Free Agent

2023-24 stats: Has not played due to injury

Oladipo is still recovering from knee surgery last April and now finds himself without a team after a recent trade. Earlier this month, Oladipo was traded by Houston to Memphis, but the Grizzlies waived him a few days later.

After opting into his contract with Miami before the season, Oladipo was traded to Oklahoma City and Houston before the deal to Memphis. Until Oladipo is healthy and ready to play, it’s unlikely he’ll be signed by a team.

Thomas Bryant – Miami

2023-24 stats (25 games): 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per game

Bryant’s role is minimal in Miami, as he’s mostly playing spot minutes or when games are totally out of reach. In January, he scored just a total of nine points over seven games.

This month, he has yet to enter a game for the Heat, who are battling to avoid one of the play-in spots (7th through 10th place) in the Eastern Conference.

Playoff outlook: The Heat are 29-25 and are tied with Orlando for 7th place in the Eastern Conference.

Cody Zeller – New Orleans

2023-24 stats (36 games): 1.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists in eight minutes per game

Zeller has missed three straight games with a knee injury and is listed as questionable for tonight’s game against Washington.

The 31-year-old hasn’t scored in double figures all season but is a veteran and valuable locker-room presence in New Orleans.

Playoff outlook: The Pelicans have won two straight and are tied with Phoenix for 5th place in the Western Conference at 32-22.

Jalen Hood-Schifino – Los Angeles Lakers

2023-24 stats (17 games): 1.7 points, .6 rebounds and .5 assists in 5.6 minutes per game

Thus far, Hood-Schifino hasn’t proven to be NBA-ready as a rookie for the Lakers. In 17 games, he’s shooting just 23.7 percent from the field, 9.7 percent on 3s and 62.5 percent from the free throw line.

His best game this season came back on Nov. 29 when he scored 10 points in 11 minutes in a 133-107 blowout win at Detroit.

Playoff outlook: The Lakers are three games over .500 at 29-26 but are currently only in play-in position (9th) in the Western Conference.

Trayce Jackson-Davis – Golden State

2023-24 stats (39 games): 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists and .8 blocks in 13 minutes per game

Since the return of Draymond Green, playing time for Jackson-Davis has been on the decline. He has yet to play double-figure minutes in a game this month for the Warriors, who are battling to get into the playoffs.

After proving himself to be a capable and efficient post scorer and a plus-defender in December and January, it’s a mystery why Jackson-Davis has turned into an afterthought for Steve Kerr in the Warriors rotation.

Playoff outlook: If the regular season ended today, the Warriors would be the last team in the playoffs in the Western Conference. Golden State is 26-25 and in 10th place.

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