Spurs backup point guard Tre Jones has been keeping a close eye on his older brother’s play recently.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ 120-108 win over the Knicks on Wednesday in New York marked point guard Tyus Jones’ second game after approving the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Tre Jones missed seven games last month while in protocols, so he knows all too well what Tyus is going through as he strives to regain his pre-COVID form.
“Literally the day I was cleared was the day he tested positive,” Tre Jones said. “It was so weird. The whole time I was in quarantine, we talked almost every day. The whole time he was in quarantine, and now that he’s just coming out, we talked too. It’s weird how it lined up.
The virus prevented the brothers from meeting in San Antonio last week when the Grizzlies beat the Spurs 118-110.
“We missed a game this year, but it’s okay as long as he feels healthy,” Tre Jones said.
In his six games since returning from protocols ahead of Thursday’s outing against the Miami Heat, Tre Jones has recorded two games in which he had 14 or more points and four or more assists. For the season, the second-year Duke pro entered Thursday’s game averaging 4.5 points and 2.3 assists.
In his two games since the end of the protocols, Tyus Jones, a seventh-year Duke pro, has averaged 4.0 points and 2.0 assists after averaging 8.2 points and 4.2 assists decisive in 45 games before having the COVID.
“I feel like it didn’t take long to pick up the pace,” Tre Jones said. “COVID is how the world is right now. It seems like everyone is getting COVID. Some guys are out longer than others. It’s just something you have to deal with. For my apart i just tried to sit and learn as much as i could when i was away watch the tape…so when i came back i wasn’t really behind where i was was gone.
The Spurs faced the Heat
without Murray, the others
Point guard Dejounte Murray, the Spurs’ leading scorer and playmaker, was one of three starters who did not feature in Thursday’s game against the Heat.
Spurs downgraded Murray (sprained left wrist) and starting striker Doug McDermott (sprained right ankle) from questionable to before the whistleblower, which Spurs changed from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. due to “bad weather imminent”.
In addition to Murray and McDermott, the Spurs were also without starting center Jakob Poeltl and backup big man Jock Landale after they entered NBA concussion protocol on Wednesday. Both suffered head injuries in Tuesday’s 124-120 loss to Golden State.
Murray and Poeltl have missed two of the last three games. Both missed Sunday’s 115-110 loss at Phoenix, Murray with a knee injury and Poeltl with back pain.
Murray leads the Spurs in scoring (19.6), assists (9.1) and steals (an NBA best 2.0) and trails only Poeltl in rebounding (8.5).
Poeltl is having a career year, averaging 13.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 blocks. His 17 double-doubles rank second on the team behind Murray, who came into Thursday’s game with 25.
“He’s been amazing all year,” Spurs striker Keldon Johnson said of Poeltl. “Jakob was Mr. Coherent. You know what you are going to get.
Spurs were also unreserved striker Keita Bates-Diop (rehabilitation to return to competition). Tuesday’s game was Bates-Diop’s first after health and safety protocols were scrapped.
Popovich said Bates-Diop can’t play in back-to-back games yet. The Spurs will face Houston on Friday.
Popovitch applauds
property additions
The Spurs’ recent moves to add new “strategic partners” to their ownership group are a sign of the Holt family’s commitment to keeping the team in San Antonio, Popovich said.
Spurs Sports & Entertainment announced last month that Airbnb co-founder and billionaire Joe Gebbia has joined the franchise’s investor group.
Gebbia’s investment comes seven months after San Francisco-based global investment firm Sixth Street Partners bought a 20% stake in the Spurs organization, and Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell acquired a 10% share.
Managing Partner Peter J. Holt continues to oversee the team and business operations, according to SS&E. The Holt family is the main shareholder.
“The Holt family are very attached to the team, obviously, having been such great owners for so long,” Popovich said. “They actually appreciate him, and they appreciate him for the right reasons. (Spurs CEO) RC (Buford) and his team have been a huge help in that area making sure we’re always up to speed. listening to the community. For many years, we all know that it is important to have a team here in this city. We are very attached to them and feel a great responsibility.
“The fact that the Holts feel the way they do, and that RC and his staff have done such a good job of adding and bringing others into this effort, we are all very proud of.
Twitter: Tom_Orsborn
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