Austin Rivers nailed by Draymond Green screen at end of Game 3

The Houston Rockets were unable to celebrate their Game 3 win over the Golden State Warriors in their Western Conference semifinals Saturday right away due to their concern over a potential injury to Austin Rivers.

Rivers was leveled on a screen by Draymond Green on the play where Steph Curry blew his dunk in the final 20 seconds.

Draymond laid out Austin Rivers with a pick pic.twitter.com/eYTMX5IMdO

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) May 5, 2019

When the clock ran out on the Rockets’ 126-121 win, Rivers was down on the court and receiving attention from the team’s trainer.

Despite the scare, Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said Rivers was “OK” and just thrown off by being blindsided.

MDA says Austin Rivers is ok. pic.twitter.com/7UrMTVDnob

— Dolores Ann (@doloresalozano) May 5, 2019

Rivers had 8 points and 4 rebounds in 28 minutes. He’ll have a day off to recover before Monday’s Game 4.

Austin Rivers offers honest but obvious take on Game 3 against Warriors

The Houston Rockets have found themselves in a significant hole against the Golden State Warriors after their loss in Game 2 Tuesday night, and Austin Rivers and his teammates know that the same result in Game 3 could signal the unofficial end to their season.

After Golden State hung on to win 115-109 on Tuesday, Rivers called Game 3 a “must-win.”

Austin Rivers: "Game 3 is a must-win, man. There's no other way to look at it. We have to win that game. Everybody knows that. You don't even have to know basketball to know we can't go down, 3-0."

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) May 1, 2019

As Rivers alluded to, that is obvious. Coming back from two games down against the defending champs is going to be difficult enough, but going down 3-0 would be almost impossible to overcome.

If the Rockets want to take anything from the first two games of the series, it should be that they played the Warriors tough in both games on the road. They may not have handled the aftermath of Game 1 well with the way they blamed the officials for the outcome, but they had a chance to win on Sunday and Tuesday. While returning home for two games should help, they may need to win both. Even going down 3-1 before returning to Golden State could be a death sentence.

Austin Rivers says he has no issues with Chris Paul, worked out with him in summer

Austin Rivers is dispelling the notion of an awkward reunion between him and Chris Paul in Houston.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, the newly-signed Rockets guard said that he had no issues with Paul and that the two worked out together over the summer, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Austin Rivers said if he and Chris Paul had issues with one another he wouldn't be here. Said they worked out together this off season.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 24, 2018

Rivers, who was teammates with Paul on the LA Clippers for three seasons from 2015 to 2017, will provide extra backcourt depth for the Rockets with Paul currently looking at a multi-week absence due to a hamstring strain.

As for the past history between the two, the Clippers of that era were infamous for their dysfunctional locker room environment, and Paul’s exit from LA two summers ago led to some reports that he resented Rivers, among others. Rivers was quick to clear the air over those reports however, and it sounds like the two have long resolved whatever tensions they may have had in the past.

Rockets reportedly sign Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers appears to have found a new home after a tumultuous week.

According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Rockets have agreed to sign Rivers after he was waived by the Phoenix Suns.

Rockets reach agreement to sign guard Austin Rivers, source said.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 23, 2018

That deal is fully guaranteed, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Rivers’ deal with Rockets is guaranteed for the season, per source.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 23, 2018

Houston’s move was likely spurred by the absence of Chris Paul, who is likely out for 2-to-4 weeks. Rivers will be a valuable fill-in with some experience for a Houston team that has not performed up to expectations. Ironically, he’ll be filling in for a player that rumor has it he did not get on well with when the pair were together on the Los Angeles Clippers.

Rivers, formerly of the Washington Wizards, was traded to Phoenix last week and immediately waived. Now he lands on his feet with a team that views itself as a contender.

Report: Multiple teams interested in Austin Rivers, no offer from Grizzlies

Austin Rivers is expected to have a very brief stay in Phoenix after he was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Suns on Saturday as part of a deal involving Kelly Oubre and Trevor Ariza, and it sounds like there are a number of teams that would like to add the veteran guard.

Shams Charania of The Athletic initially reported on Tuesday that the Memphis Grizzlies are expected to sign Rivers once the Suns cut ties with him, but it turns out they could have plenty of competition from other clubs.

Four to five other teams are still expressing interest in Rivers, sources said. No formal offer yet from Memphis, with several days until Rivers clears waivers. https://t.co/RUkLDrVqJF

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2018

Rivers is set to make $12.6 million in the last season of his contract this year, and it is unlikely that any team will want to pay him the remaining portion of that salary. The 26-year-old is averaging 7.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 23.6 minutes per game this season.

The Grizzlies were initially reported to be part of a three-team trade with the Suns and Wizards that involved Rivers, but they ended up backing out over confusion about which players they were supposed to include. It will be interesting to see if they end up with Rivers when everything is sorted out.

Austin Rivers will reportedly sign with Grizzlies

Austin Rivers will have a very brief stop in Phoenix after he was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Suns on Saturday as part of a deal involving Kelly Oubre and Trevor Ariza, and the veteran guard may have already found his next home.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Rivers has agreed to sign a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies when his buyout with the Suns is complete.

Austin Rivers is expected to finalize a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies once bought out by the Phoenix Suns, per league sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2018

Rivers was set to make $12.6 million in the last season of his contract this year, and it’s unclear how much Phoenix agreed to buy him out for. The Grizzlies will be the third team the 26-year-old has played for in the past year.

Rivers is averaging 7.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 23.6 minutes per game this season.

Suns to waive Austin Rivers after acquiring him in trade

Austin Rivers’ career with the Phoenix Suns will be non-existent.

Rivers was traded to the Suns by the Washington Wizards as part of a trade Saturday that also involved Kelly Oubre and Trevor Ariza. Rivers and Oubre have yet to suit up for Phoenix, and Rivers won’t at all.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Suns will waive Rivers.

After trade with Wizards, Suns agree to part ways with G Austin Rivers, per ESPN sources. Rivers – earning $12.6M in final year of deal – becomes a free agent upon clearing waivers. As a veteran, sides concluded Rivers fits better on an older team that's pursuing playoffs.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 18, 2018

Rivers is making $12.6 million this season, which is the last of his contract. If he clears waivers, he’ll be a free agent and able to sign with any team.

The 26-year-old is averaging 7.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 23.6 minutes per game this season.