NBA News Today: Paul George suffers apparent right knee injury; New York Knicks legend Willis Reed passes away at age 80, and more

LA Clippers star wing Paul George suffered an apparent right knee injury during the fourth quarter of his team's loss to OKC on Tuesday (Mar. 21) night.

In other news, New York Knicks legend Willis Reed passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. On that note, here's the latest news from around the NBA as of March 22, 2023.

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Paul George suffers apparent right knee injury

LA Clippers star wing Paul George lying on the court following an apparent right knee injury

Paul George exited the Clippers’ 101-100 loss to OKC on Tuesday with 4:38 remaining in the fourth quarter.

That came after he banged knees with Thunder shooting guard Luguentz Dort while battling for a rebound. George immediately fell to the ground in pain before needing to be helped off the court.

"I went up for the rebound, kind of hit his leg,” Dort said postgame. “I didn’t do it on purpose, definitely an accident."

The severity of George’s injury is yet to be determined. However, Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard said post-game that the team will be ready if George has to miss time:

“Next man up,” Leonard said. “We got a group of guys that still want to win, like to play basketball, so we’ll see what happens."

LA (38-35, fifth in the West) is 32-24 with George this season and just 6-11 without him. George is averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.8 3-pointers per game on 45.7% shooting through 56 games.

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Willis Reed passes away at 80

New York Knicks legend Willis Reed

Willis Reed died on Tuesday (Mar. 21) at the age of 80. The news was first reported by Peter Vecsey and subsequently confirmed by the NBA Retired Players Association on Twitter:

"Just received word that Willis Reed, 80, passed this morning. He has suffered from congestive heart problems over the past year or so, and was going through rehab to walk. Loved everything about Willis! A man’s man!!" Vecsey reported.

"The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Willis Reed," the NBA Retired Players Association said.

The Knicks organization also released a heartfelt statement on Reed’s passing:

"The Knicks organization is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Captain, Willis Reed. As we mourn, we will always strive to uphold the standards he left behind – the unmatched leadership, sacrifice and work ethic that personified him as a champion among champions. His is a legacy that will live forever,” the team said.

Reed played his entire 10-year career with the Knicks, leading them to their only two NBA titles in 1970 and 1973. Reed won the Finals MVP in both years. He was also named the NBA MVP in 1970 and was selected to seven straight All-Star teams (1965-1971).

He was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982 and also became the first Knicks player to have his jersey number (No. 19) retired. The Hall-of-Fame big man ended his career with averages of 18.7 ppg, 12.9 rpg and 1.8 apg on 47.6% shooting.

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Dillon Brooks suspended for one game after receiving league-leading 18th technical foul

Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks

Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks has been suspended for Wednesday (Mar. 22) night's matchup against Houston. That comes after Brooks received his league-leading 18th technical foul of the season during the team’s 112-108 win over Dallas on Monday (Mar. 20).

Brooks picked up his 18th technical for taunting the Mavericks' bench. He did so by mimicking a cheerleader waving pom-poms.

Following the game, Brooks called out Mavs wing Theo Pinson for causing distractions on the bench:

"The dude was standing up on the bench. He should be sitting down," Brooks said. "We should be putting that on notice, but I just wanna let him know he's a cheerleader."

The NBA automatically suspends players after they pick up their 16th technical foul. Players are then suspended for every additional two technicals they receive beyond 16.

Dillon Brooks was previously suspended for the Grizzlies’ 135-129 loss against the LA Clippers on March 5 after receiving his 16th technical. Memphis (44-27, second in the West) is 41-24 with Brooks this season and 3-3 without him. Brooks is averaging 14.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 0.9 spg and 1.9 3pg on 39.1% shooting through 65 games.

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Draymond Green chooses Joel Embiid as MVP frontrunner

Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid

With around ten games remaining this season, the NBA MVP race remains a neck-and-neck one between superstars Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid. All three big men have compelling cases for the award.

However, according to Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Joel Embiid should be viewed as the frontrunner. Green broke down his reasoning for choosing Embiid on “The Draymond Green Show:”

"Right now in the MVP race, I think it's Joel. I think it's Joel's award to lose,” Green said. “I think the way he loses that award is his team starts losing. Joel's going to put up Joel numbers, Joel going to do what Joel has been doing. It's Joel's award to lose.

“It's interesting how much things are changing, you look at the standings, this MVP stuff is changing. Joel should get his first MVP this year. I don't expect Philly to hit some crazy losing streak. And be that they won't do that, it should be Joel's to lose,” Green continued.

Joel Embiid is averaging a league-leading 33.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.8 bpg and 1.1 3pg on 54.6% shooting. Philadelphia (48-23) has the third-best record in the NBA.