BBNBA: Hamidou Diallo scores near season-high 18 points

Hamidou Diallo was the only former Kentucky player to take the court on Super Bowl Sunday and he made the most of it. In the Detroit Pistons’ tough one-point loss to the Toronto Raptors, Diallo scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds, as well as contributing one assist, one block, and one steal.

This is the third time Diallo has scored at least 18 points this season, his second-most of the season, having scored 19 points back on January 13th against the New Orleans Pelicans. Similarly, his seven rebounds are one shy of his season-best.

Diallo was without former Kentucky alum, Nerlens Noel, who sat out due to personal reasons. He was also without his season-long teammate, Kevin Knox, who was shipped off to Portland as part of a four-team trade. That deal nearly fell through due to some medical issues with Gary Payton II but was ultimately finalized.

This season, Diallo is averaging 8.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as the Detroit Pistons look to position themselves in good standing to land the #1 overall draft pick and win the rights to generational talent, Victor Wembanyama.

Other BBNBA notes

• In off-the-court news, the Oklahoma City Thunder have brought back former Wildcat Olivier Sarr on a two-way contract, it was announced on Sunday. The seven-foot center played four games this season for the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the OKC Blue, where he averaged 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 20.9 minutes per game. Sarr was with the Thunder franchise for 22 games (two starts) during the 2021-22 season when he averaged 7.0 points and 4.2 rebounds on 57.4 percent shooting in 19.1 minutes per game.

Tonight in the NBA

7:00: Hawks @ Hornets (PJ Washington, Richards)
7:00: Spurs (Johnson: probable) @ Cavaliers
7:00: Jazz @ Pacers
7:00: Rockets (TyTy Washington, Wall: out) @ 76ers (Maxey)
7:30 (NBA TV): Nuggets (Murray: questionable) @ Heat (Herro: doubtful, Adebayo: probable)
7:30: Nets @ Knicks (Randle, Quickley)
8:00 Magic @ Bulls
8:00: Pelicans @ Thunder (Gilgeous-Alexander)
8:30: Timberwolves (Towns: out) @ Mavericks
10:00: Wizards @ Warriors
10:00: Lakers (Vanderbilt, Davis: probable, Gabriel) @ Trail Blazers (Sharpe, Knox: questionable)