BBNBA: Ashton Hagans earns his first career NBA start
With seven players from this year’s underwhelming Kentucky team likely to be playing in the NBA next season, former ‘Cats having professional success is not exactly a topic Big Blue Nation wants to hear right now. I get it. That being said, Ashton Hagans deserves a massive shout-out. After being out of the league for multiple seasons, the former Wildcat point guard earned his first-career NBA start on Saturday for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Decimated by injuries and general putridness, the Trail Blazers signed Hagans, a mostly career G-Leaguer, to a 10-day contract last week and he has made the most of his opportunity. In his first game on Friday, Hagans came off the bench and played 28 minutes, scored four points, grabbed two rebounds, and handed out three assists.
Head coach Chauncy Billips saw enough.
Against the Pelicans on Saturday night, Hagans got the starting nod and posted a well-rounded stat line of five points, four assists, two rebounds, a steal, and a block. If it weren’t for getting into foul trouble in the first half, these numbers would likely have been a little higher.
Hagans last played in the NBA during the 2020-21 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but only saw the court for two games and even that was during garbage time. For him to elevate to a starting role, regardless of the circumstances, speaks to the hard work he has put in over the last few seasons.
This is where a deep, disembodied voice from the heavens whispers, “Never give up on your dreams, kids. Always keep grinding.”
PJ Washington scores 14 points in his Mavericks debut
The NBA trade deadline came and passed without any blockbuster trades, however, we did see two former ‘Cats get a change of scenery. Kevin Knox will now be playing for this fifth NBA team as he joined the Utah Jazz, and PJ Washington will now finally get to play for a team that isn’t awful, the Dallas Mavericks bartered for his services before the clock struck 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.
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On Saturday, Washington made his Dallas debut. PJ scored 14 points in 24 minutes off the bench on an efficient 6-10 from the field, as the Mavericks blew out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder squad. He also pulled down five rebounds and had a steal.
The Mavericks were reportedly looking for an upgrade to Grant Williams, a big body who can shoot 3s, and they found that in the former Kentucky power forward. It also probably helped that PJ did not attend the University of Tennessee.
Personally, the Mavericks are my least favorite team in the NBA, but at least Washington will have a chance to play for a contender.
Other NBA Notes:
- Devin Booker scored 32 points, including the go-ahead bucket in the final minute of the game. Unfortunately for the Suns, Steph Curry happened. The greatest shooter the game has ever seen drilled the game-winning 3-pointer from 33 feet away, giving the Golden State Warriors a much-needed win.
- While PJ Washington scored 14 points in his Mavericks debut and had a plus-minus of +24, it came at the expense of the aforementioned Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, who scored 25 points in a rare losing effort. Additionally, rookie Cason Wallace chipped in 15 points and Olivier Sarr scored eight points in just eight minutes of mop-up time.
- The Philadelphia 76ers are acquiring guards like Jay Bilis acquires ice cream at Rupp Arena. Philly traded for Cam Payne, Buddy Hield, and is now reportedly planning to sign Kyle Lowry from the buyout market, however former ‘Cat Tyrese Maxey still reigns supreme. Maxey scored a team-high 28 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in the Sixers’ win over the Wizards.
BBNBA Stats for 2/10/2024
| Player | Score | PTS | FG (3PT) | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | P/M | MIN |
| Devin Booker (PHX) | 112-113 L vs. GSW | 32 | 11-21 (2-8) | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 38 |
| Tyrese Maxey (PHI) | 119-113 W vs. WAS | 28 | 11-25 (3-7) | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -10 | 36 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | 111-146 L vs. DAL | 25 | 9-16 (0-0) | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -31 | 29 |
| Keldon Johnson (SAS) | 103-123 L vs. BRK | 19 | 7-14 (3-6) | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -17 | 30 |
| Cason Wallace (OKC) | 111-146 L vs. DAL | 15 | 5-11 (3-7) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -18 | 25 |
| PJ Washington (DAL) | 146-111 W vs. OKC | 14 | 6-10 (1-4) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +24 | 24 |
| Nick Richards (CHA) | 115-106 W vs. MEM | 13 | 6-10 (0-0) | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -8 | 25 |
| Isaiah Jackson (IND) | 125-111 W vs. NYK | 12 | 5-6 (0-0) | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | +9 | 17 |
| Immanuel Quickley (TOR) | 95-119 L vs. CLE | 10 | 4-10 (2-4) | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -12 | 32 |
| Olivier Sarr (OKC) [Two-way] | 111-146 L vs. DAL | 8 | 3-4 (0-0) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -5 | 8 |
| Ashton Hagans (POR) (10-day) | 84-93 L vs. NOP | 5 | 2-4 (0-1) | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -5 | 5 |
| Julius Randle (NYK) | 111-125 L vs. IND | DNP-Shoulder | ||||||||
| Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC) | 112-106 W vs. DET | DNP-CD | ||||||||
| Jacob Toppin (NYK) [Two-way] | 111-125 L vs. IND | DNP-CD | ||||||||
| Oscar Tshiebwe (IND) [Two-way] | 125-111 W vs. NYK | DNP-CD | ||||||||
| Shaedon Sharpe (POR) | 84-93 L vs. NOP | DNP-Abdomen |
Today in the NBA
Not that you are going to watch regular season NBA games on Super Bowl Sunday, if you are so inclined:
- 2:00 (ABC): Celtics @ Heat (Adebayo, Herro)
- 3:00: Kings (Fox, Monk, Lyles) @ Thunder (Gilgeous-Alexander, Wallace, Sarr)
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