The state of sports in America is ever-adapting once again as leagues both professional and amateur fight to keep from canceling their seasons once again during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Things are no different in the G League.
On Christmas Eve, it was announced that the start of the developmental league’s season would be delayed. The regular season was originally scheduled to start on December 27, 2021. Now, the G League season will start after the new year on January 5, 2022. The league made the decision in response to the rising COVID-19 positive tests around the NBA. Having the extra time will also allow teams to build their rosters up as call-ups impact the teams.
Putting a Cap on the Showcase Cup
If you’re asking yourself, “But didn’t the season already start?”, keep in mind that the G League implemented the inaugural Showcase Cup this year, which was a 12-game play-in tournament to before the regular season. Last week, the top-seeded Delaware Blue Coats (Philadelphia 76ers) won the Showcase Cup at the Winter Showcase. They defeated the Texas Legends 141-89. After finishing the qualifiers 7-5, the Austin Spurs didn’t make the cut for the tournament.
The NBA G League today announced that its regular season, originally scheduled to tip off on Dec. 27, will begin on Jan. 5, 2022.
Read more https://t.co/6pUgxHlvmO
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 24, 2021
Austin still participated in games at the Winter Showcase, however, as all teams do to display their talents for NBA scouts. It was a great showing for the Spurs affiliate as the team continued their winning ways against the G League Ignite and Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami Heat). The Austin Spurs have now won six straight games, and seven of their last 10.
NBA Call-Up for Dotson on 10-Day Contract
The G League is a great developmental opportunity for NBA teams to assign young players on their roster or players working back from injury. Of course, one of the primary uses of the league is to provide a space for players on the fringe of reaching the NBA an opportunity to display their talents for the organization that signs them, as well as any other team in the NBA that could use their services. Like the minor leagues in baseball, getting the call up from an NBA squad is the ultimate goal. When someone does get the call, it is to be celebrated by the G League organization the player was with.
Congratulations to Damyean Dotson on earning an NBA Call-Up from the New York Knicks!🎉@wholeteamDot pic.twitter.com/ysrrj9OfOD
— Austin Spurs (@austin_spurs) December 21, 2021
This is the case for Damyean Dotson, who has spent time in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks in the past. Under a G League contract with the Austin Spurs this season, Dotson signed a 10-Day contract opportunity with the Knicks last week and has already seen the court for his audition. A fourth-year guard out of Houston, Dotson played in 12 games with Austin in the Showcase Cup, averaging 12.9 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 34 minutes per game. In two games with the Knicks since his call-up, Dotson recorded a total of four points, two rebounds, and an assist in 20 minutes of action. Per a press release from the team, Dotson is the 46th call-up in the G League franchise’s history.
Primo, Wiesekamp, and Cacok Recalled By San Antonio
With the G League regular season now delayed, the San Antonio Spurs have recalled their trio of NBA contract players from Austin. First-round pick Joshua Primo and two-way contracts Joe Wieskamp and Devontae Cacok were available off the bench and should continue to be as San Antonio has seven games between December 26 and January 5. All three players scored in their limited minutes. The Austin Spurs will start their regular season on January 6, 2022, against the South Bay Lakers (Los Angeles Lakers).
Austin Spurs Press Release on Daymean Dotson’s Call-Up