NBA Notes: Grizzlies, Charles Bassey, 76ers, Joel Embiid, Knicks

Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are turning to the hardship exception to bolster their injury-depleted roster. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Memphis is set to sign free agent center Charles Bassey.

The 6-foot-10 big man, who turns 25 this week, has logged four NBA seasons between the Spurs and Sixers, averaging 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and nearly a block in just over 11 minutes per game.

Bassey joins a Memphis team missing Ty Jerome, Zach Edey, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Brandon Clarke.

The frontcourt has been held down by Jock Landale to start the year, but Bassey should bring some interior stability and rebounding depth.

The Grizzlies (2-1) have shown flashes early, with wins over Indiana and New Orleans, but Friday’s loss to Miami exposed their defensive gaps — they surrendered 146 points and currently rank near the bottom of the league in opponent scoring at 123.7 points per game.

76ers

The Sixers will give Joel Embiid the night off Monday against the Magic as part of left knee injury management, reports Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

It’s part of a cautious plan for Embiid, who’s on a minutes restriction to start the season. He played 20 minutes in Saturday’s win over Charlotte, scoring 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting while adding four assists and two steals.

Embiid admitted he’s still figuring out how to be effective in limited bursts.

“Longer stints, you can let the game come to you,” he said, via Pompey. “But being in basketball shape is another thing. You need to play, and you need to play a lot.”

The former MVP said he prefers Nurse’s current approach of playing full rotations before sitting to stay in rhythm.

Knicks

Josh Hart is officially off his minutes restriction, per The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III.

The Knicks wing missed most of the preseason with back spasms and continues to manage a finger injury, but he made a strong impact in Friday’s win over the Celtics despite limited scoring.

Hart finished with just three points on 1-for-8 shooting but grabbed 14 rebounds and three assists in under 19 minutes — a stat line that had coach Mike Brown raving.

“Josh, man, monster, monster, monster,” Brown said, via Madeline Kenney of the New York Post. “Fourteen rebounds in 19 minutes, just phenomenal doing the dirty stuff.”

Hart called it a “solid first day at the office” and said the focus now is regaining full conditioning after missing time early in camp.