The Utah Jazz plan to sign forward James Ennis to a 10-day contract.

Ennis has spent time with the Nets and Clippers on 10-day pacts this season, playing in four games and averaging 10.5 minutes, 6.3 points, and 2.5 rebounds per game.

When Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge cleared protocols, the Nets opted to not bring Ennis back in late December.

The Clippers then signed him to a 10-day deal that expired on January 8.

The journeyman has played with nine teams in seven seasons.

On Thursday, LaMarcus Aldridge announced his sudden retirement from basketball after experiencing an irregular heartbeat.

The seven-time All-Star announced his decision on social media. “My last game, I played while dealing with an irregular heartbeat,” Aldridge wrote. “Later on that night, my rhythm got even worse which really worried me even more.”

The Brooklyn Nets center wrote about his decision to get checked out in the hospital and the support he received from the team. “Though I’m better now, what I felt with my heart that night was still one of the scariest things I’ve experienced,” his statement continued.

“I’ve made the difficult decision to retire from the NBA,” the center wrote. “For 15 years, I’ve put basketball first, and now, it is time to put my health and family first.”

The Nets’ organization was supportive of Aldridge’s difficult decision. Brooklyn released a statement from general manager Sean Marks. “We know this was not an easy decision for him, but after careful consideration and consultation with numerous medical experts, he made the best decision for him, his family, and for his life after basketball.”

Aldridge was drafted with the second pick of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. The big man quickly emerged as a star for Portland and was one of the anchors for the team. In his early seasons with Portland, he was seen as the future of the team. Aldridge was part of the core that involved Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, but injuries forced Roy and Oden into early retirements.

However, Aldridge formed a duo with fellow Blazers teammate and star Damian Lillard. The two were able to lead the team into Western Conference contention on several occasions. Lillard spoke about his former teammate and showed his appreciation for the former Blazer. “LA is one of the greatest players to play in Portland,” Lillard said. “He was at the peak of his career when I got here.”

In 2015, the All-Star signed with the San Antonio Spurs. Aldridge spent five seasons with San Antonio. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich released a statement regarding Aldridge’s retirement. “We’re grateful for his contributions, both on and off the court, during his time here in San Antonio,” Popovich said. “I’m proud of him for making this difficult decision and we wish him and his family all of the best in the future.”

The Spurs and Aldridge agreed to a contract buyout last month, and the big man signed with the Nets. The center only appeared in five games for Brooklyn before his abrupt retirement.

While Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden will miss at least 10 days with a right hamstring sprain, his teammate Kevin Durant is set to return Wednesday night just in time for Brooklyn’s game against the Pelicans.

Harden played four minutes before he was taken out of Brooklyn’s 114-112 victory against the Knicks on Monday night. Before Monday, he missed two games. Superstar Harden is in the race for league MVP, averaging 25.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 10.9 assists per game for Brooklyn.

According to the team, while Harden will be out, Durant will be available for Wednesday’s game. Durant, 32, missed the last 23 games after spraining his right hamstring on February 13. He has only played a total of seven games alongside fellow superstars Kyrie Irving and Harden. Since Durant’s exit, the Nets have acquired Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge.

At first, Durant was only ruled out for two games, but his strain was more severe than he thought, and KD has been sidelined much longer than anticipated. Durant has only played in 19 of Brooklyn’s 51 total games this season. Besides injuries, he was placed on the NBA’s health, and safety procedures list twice after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

Over the course of this season, Durant is averaging 29.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. Harden will be missed, but on the bright side, at least Durant will be returning to bolster the already stacked Brooklyn team.

LaMarcus Aldridge’s time on the San Antonio Spurs has come to an end.

The team announced on Wednesday that they have mutually agreed to part ways with the longtime center. Aldridge had been with the Spurs since 2015, starting at the five position until the 2019-2020 season, when he moved to a role coming off the bench. This year, Aldridge saw a further dip in playing time, averaging just under 26 minutes per game, while also having his least productive season since his rookie campaign with 13.7 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. Following the All-Star break, the team gave Aldridge an opportunity to seek out possible trade options with other teams. If no deal can be made before the deadline on March 25, the Spurs will work on a buyout with Aldridge, who was set to be paid $24 million in 2021, the final year of his contract.

Aldridge is a seven-time All-Star and five-time member of the All-NBA team. He appeared in the All-Star game representing the Spurs in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Though he arrived in San Antonio after their championship seasons, he still served an important role on the team in his 5-plus years, leading the team to playoffs berths in all but one season. If he is not ultimately traded, it would not be surprising if teams planning on making a playoff push look to pick him up in free agency as added depth off the bench.

LaMarcus Aldridge and Patty Mills scored season-highs of 32 and 19 points respectively to propel the San Antonio Spurs to a 97-91 victory over the hopeless Mavericks in Dallas on Tuesday night.

Spurs vs. Mavericks Game Score

The win was also a milestone for Gregg Popovich: he is now the fastest NBA coach to 500 road victories. Popovich reached the mark in 835 away games, 41 less than Pat Riley. Those two and Don Nelson are the only coaches to have reached that mark.

”I think I’m definitely more confident and I’m playing my game more this year,” Aldridge said. ”I think Pop definitely has tweaked some things where I can be myself more out there and play more confident, and it’s working out for us.”

Popovich praised the forward, who is in his second year with the Spurs (9-5), who led 44-39 at halftime on Tuesday.

”He’s been our most consistent player,” Popovich said. ”His effort level every night has been off the charts. He’s been a leader for us, helping the younger guys and new guys understand the system.”

Aldridge is averaging almost 23 points per game this season, while San Antonio misses starters Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker.

Mills scored 13 points in the first six minutes of the second quarter, including three 3s.

Rookie Dennis Smith Jr. led the Mavericks (2-13) with a career-high 27 points and J.J. Barea and Harrison Barnes had 16 each. Dallas has begun the season 2-13 for the second straight year.

After trailing by double digits in the second half, Dallas trimmed the lead to 62-61early in the fourth.

The Mavericks are still missing guard Devin Harris, who missed his second consecutive game with bruised ribs, and Dorian Finney-Smith was also out Tuesday with left quad tendinitis.

San Antonio next faces the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Wednesday.

The Mavericks also next face the Timberwolves at home Friday night.

DALLAS, TX – NOVEMBER 14: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs takes a shot against Salah Mejri #50 of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on November 14, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

LaMarcus Aldridge is staying in San Antonio for another three years.

LaMarcus Aldrdige Spurs Extension News

The five-time All-Star forward signed an extension with the Spurs through the 2020-21 season, a deal reportedly worth $72.3 million.

Aldridge, 32, has been with the Spurs since 2015. The former No. 2 overall pick joined the team after nine seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.

“I’m happy to be here,” Aldridge told reporters Tuesday. “It worked out for both sides. I feel like this preseason has been great for myself. Trying to find my rhythm, be myself. I feel like the offense has had some tweaks where I’m feeling more comfortable, helping the team. Pop [coach Gregg Popovich] told me he was happy about it.”

According to ESPN, Aldridge will opt into the $22.3 million player option on his 2018-19 contract, and the extension’s new terms will start with the 2019-20 season. He is scheduled to earn $21.4 million this season.

Aldridge has allegedly been discontent with the Spurs at times during his two years with the team thus far. He averaged  17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Spurs last season. In his 11-year career in the NBA, he has averaged 19.1 points and 8.3 rebounds.

Meanwhile, 37-year-old center Pau Gasol recently opted out of the $15.5 million final year of his deal with the Spurs, in theory so that he could restructure to take less annual money to help the Spurs sign free agent talent. However, this never materialized.

The Spurs won their last preseason game against the Rockets in Houston on Friday, and will host the Minnesota Timberwolves for their season opener on Wednesday night.

HOUSTON, TX – MAY 11: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts against the Houston Rockets during Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Semi-Finals at Toyota Center on May 11, 2017 in Houston, Texas.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored a season-high 34 points to lift the Kawhi-Leonard-less San Antonio Spurs to a 114-75 road win over Houston on Thursday night to eliminate the Rockets from the Western Conference Semifinal series in Game 6.

LaMarcus Aldriges’s Game-High 34 Points Lift Spurs to 114-75 Game 6 Win vs Rockets

Aldridge, an 11-year veteran who is in his second season with the Spurs, also contributed 12 rebounds two nights after Leonard rolled his ankle in San Antonio’s overtime win in Game 5.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich praised the 31-year-old power forward after Game 6.

”He’s really turned it on,” Popovich said of Aldridge. ”Demanded the ball, got in good position … he was wonderful on the boards and of course he passes it really, really well and gets it moving for us.”

Aldridge, who had ten points in the first quarter, became the first Spur to record 34 points and 12 rebounds in a playoff game since Tim Duncan against Phoenix in 2008.

”I just touched it a little bit more tonight so I had a chance to figure it out,” Aldridge said. ”I was trying to be more dominant down there. So I was willing to take some contested shots tonight and I got into my rhythm early and after that I was good to go.”

San Antonio led by 19 at halftime in a game that ended rapidly. The Spurs have now reached the Conference Finals — where they will face the Golden State Warriors this year — for the 13th time.

Trevor Ariza led the Rockets with 20 points, while MVP contender James Harden managed only a season low ten points on 2-of-11 shooting and fouled out with 3:15 remaining.

Harden stated he was to blame for the defeat.

”Everything falls on my shoulders,” he said. ”I take responsibility for it, both ends of the floor. It’s tough, especially the way we lost at home for Game 6. But it happened and we move forward.”

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, meanwhile, admitted it was possible that Houston’s frustration with losing Game 5 — a matchup his team could have won — may have been part of the cause of Thursday’s blowout loss.

”It could, ” said D’Antoni. ”I’ve been on both sides of this thing. Sometimes life hits you in the face. No matter what it was, we just didn’t have it tonight.”

Jonathon Simmons replaced Leonard and finished with 18 points for the Spurs, who held a 23-point lead by the end of the third quarter and were then up by 30 (94-64) in the fourth. At that point, many fans began leaving Toyota Center.

“No one expected a Game 6 … win like this, but we just played hard,” said Pau Gasol, who finished with ten points and 11 rebounds.

San Antonio held Houston to less than 100 points for the third time this series after the Rockets scored in double digits only five times during the regular season. The hosts’ 75 points were a season low and the least points the franchise had scored in a postseason game since recording just 70 against the Los Angeles Lakers on May 17, 2009.

The Spurs will visit the Warriors on Sunday for Game 1 of the Conference Finals.

HOUSTON, TX – MAY 11: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts against the Houston Rockets during Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Semi-Finals at Toyota Center on May 11, 2017 in Houston, Texas.

The Western Conference Semifinals has an entirely different feel after Game 2, which the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 98-97.

Western Conference Semis Tied At 1

Kevin Durant rebounded after a poor shooting performance in Game 1, scoring 28 points on 11-19 shooting.  The 6’9″ forward also grabbed seven rebounds and recorded four assists and a block.  OKC’s other All-Star, Russell Westbrook, flirted with a triple-double with 29 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.

Thunder big men Steven Adams, Serge Ibaka, and Enes Kanter scored 12 points each, with Adams also grabbing 17 rebounds.

After allowing the Spurs to score 43 first quarter points in Game 1’s disastrous loss, the Thunder limited the San Antonio offense to just 21 in the second game’s opening frame.

Despite the slow start for the Spurs’ offense, LaMarcus Aldridge followed up his magnificent Game 1 performance (38 points) with 41 in the loss.  Aldridge was the only San Antonio starter to make a real impact on the offensive end of the floor and Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili were the only other players to score in double figures.

Aldridge made more field goals (15) than the rest of the Spurs’ starters combined (14), and taking out his superb shooting game (15-21, San Antonio shot just 34.2%, down from 42.6% with the power forward’s stats included.

“It feels horrible,” Aldridge said. “Feels like it was wasted. I’ve never been about trying to get points and not win; I always try to do things to win. If you win, it’s totally a different feeling, but losing like that hurts.”

Down the stretch Aldridge made two key three point play:, a shot from the top of the arc with 25 seconds left, and made all three free throw attempts after being fouled by Ibaka with 13 seconds left, to cut OKC’s lead to 98-97.

After a Thunder timeout to advance the ball, all hell broke loose in a wild finish.

Dion Waiters was in charge of inbounding the ball for the Thunder.  After narrowly avoiding a 5-second violation he throws a bad lob pass to Durant.  Its immediately stolen by Danny Green, who advances the ball to Patty Mills.  Mills gets the ball to a cutting Ginobili, who instead of going up with his left hand (his strong hand), he kicked it back out to Mills on the baseline.

Mills air-balled the shot and there was a scrum under the basket until time ran out.  Game over, even series.

There were several missed calls in this sequence, the most blatant of which was Waiters creating space to inbound the ball by elbowing Ginobili, which would’ve resulted in a technical foul.

Referee Ken Mauer said after the game, “On the floor, we did not see a foul on the play. However, upon review we realize and we agree that we should have had an offensive foul on the play. It’s a play that we have never seen before, ever, but we feel we should have had an offensive foul on Waiters.”

In the video, you can also see Leonard has a whole fistful of Westbrook’s jersey. According to the NBA Rulebook, this would’ve also been a technical foul:

Section X–Away-From-The-Play Foul
a. During the last two minutes of the fourth period or overtime period(s) with the offensive team in possession of the ball, all personal fouls which are assessed against the defensive team prior to the ball being released on a throw-in and/or away-from-the-play, shall be administered as follows:
(1) A personal foul and team foul shall be assessed and one free throw attempt shall be awarded. The free throw may be attempted by any play-er in the game at the time the personal foul was committed.
(2) If the foul occurs when the ball is inbounds, the offended team shall be awarded the ball at the nearest point where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended.
(3) If the foul occurs prior to the release on a throw-in, the offended team shall be awarded the ball at the original throw-in spot, with all privileges, if any, remaining.

Another call that was missed, even before Waiters’ elbow, but not as obvious, was Ginobili stepping on the out of bounds line while guarding the in bound pass. This would’ve also resulted in a tech and OKC would’ve retained possession.

Also occurring in the video above, is Mills grabbing Adams’ back, in a similar manner to the Leonard/Westbrook scenario, this would’ve also been a tech in favor of OKC.

Two other things happening on the play, are Waiters jumping to inbound the ball, which is not allowed unless your on the baseline. This should’ve resulted in a change of possession in favor of the Spurs.

Even after all of the missed calls, the play still should’ve been reset because the clock begins to run before Durant, or any other player, even touches the ball.

Then after Adams, contests the shot by Mills, he goes crashing into the crowd, a somewhat common occurrence. As Adams goes to re-enter the play, a fan grabs his arm, seemingly keeping Adams from returning to the play.

There were also two plays that are open to how you interpret a foul or the final seconds. On the inbound play, Green makes contact with Durant’s arm, prior to the steal. The other is the battle for the loose ball following the missed shot. Ibaka is battling both Leonard and Aldridge, and appears to grab both of their jerseys in the scrum under the basket. Neither Spur argued or reacted after the play however.

The NBA officials are always under fire, especially in the playoffs, and this bizarre sequence is not going to reinforce faith that the refs are going to get all of the calls right. Nonetheless, there is little that can be done since the game is already over.

The Thunder now have three of the last five games of the series at home (If it goes the full seven). The Spurs lost for the second time all season at home after going 40-1 at the AT&T Center in the regular season.

The teams will have three days off before Game 3 tips off on Friday, May 6 in Oklahoma City at 9:30 PM EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

PHOTO: SAN ANTONIO,TX – MAY 2: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder scores in front of Danny Green #14 of the San Antonio Spurs during game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals for the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on May 2, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

San Antonio Spurs Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge said that his return to Portland weighed on him.

He was greeted by a mix of applause and boos, and scored 23 points to lead the Spurs to a 113-101 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. This was the Spurs’ third consecutive win, and the Blazers’ third straight loss.

“It was emotional,” four-time All-Star Aldridge said. “I have nothing but love for this city. I have so many memories in this arena so it was hard for me out there.” He spent nine seasons in Portland before cutting ties and becoming a free agent this summer. This matchup marked his first game in Portland since he signed a four-year deal worth $80 million with San Antonio in July. Three other starters left the Blazers during the offseason: Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum and Robin Lopez. 

Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 22 points, which included five 3-pointers and nine assists. After Lillard also tied the game at 66 in the third quarter with two free throws, the Blazers faced a setback as starting forward Meyers Leonard was sent to the locker room following a dislocated left shoulder and did not return. Portland struggled to keep pace, and the Spurs quickly gained a 97-87 lead after Aldridge’s shot with 6:59 left in the game.

After the game, Aldridge said, “the weirdest thing was not driving to the arena, coming on a bus and then coming in this locker room. I hadn’t seen this locker room before. So this was a first time for me, so confused.”

The Spurs will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, while the Blazers will visit Memphis on Friday night.

Even though it feels like the season ended yesterday, the NBA’s free agency starts tomorrow. So though the news today is speculative, tomorrow there will be a frenzy of signings.

However, LaMarcus Aldridge, who has decided to meet with a myriad of teams over the next few days, wants to wait and test the market. The first two teams on his list are the Lakers and Rockets, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne’s sources.

LaMarcus Aldridge First Meeting With Lakers

As time has passed, the former Blazer has indirectly made it clear that there is a very small chance he is going back to Portland. It seems that he wants to test the market and also go to a bigger sports city. Now, it is unclear whether or not this will land him in Los Angeles, but Shelburne’s sources believe that L.A. is certainly in the running.

On top of this, Aldridge will meet with a bevy of other teams, including San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors — all on Wednesday — and the New York Knicks on Thursday.

And superstars like Carmelo Anthony, Tim Duncan and more are allegedly trying to woe the 29-year-old star. But it is important to note that the three Texas teams — particularly Dallas — believe they have the best shot at Aldridge, who was born and raised in the state. And while ESPN’s sources claimed that Los Angeles is moving up on the list, popular consensus has the Spurs as his primary landing spot.

Still, only time will tell what will happen, but people should expect a big payday. He quietly averaged 22.2 PPG — 19.4 in his career — over the last five seasons, while also garnering 9.4 RPG and 2.3 APG in the same time span.