Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd is expected to return to the bench next week sufficiently recovered from hip surgery.
Kidd has missed four weeks and will rejoin the team following its current road trip ending Saturday, ESPN reported Thursday.
Joe Prunty served as head coach in Kidd’s absence and had a record of 8-7 entering Friday’s game at Houston.
The Bucks made the playoffs last season, Kidd’s first in Milwaukee, but at 19-25 entered Thursday 3.5 games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
—Former NBA player and Connecticut standout Tate George was sentenced to nine years in prison by a federal judge in Trenton, N.J., for running a $2 million Ponzi scheme.
George, who played for the New Jersey Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA, was convicted in 2013 on four wire fraud counts. Among his victims were past and present NBA players and celebrities, including Charlie Villanueva, Brevin Knight and “The Apprentice” winner Randal Pinkett.
The 47-year-old George, who has been in jail since his conviction, argued for more than 1 1/2 hours in court for leniency while maintaining his innocence.
Prosecutors argued that George used money from individuals who invested in his company to pay off earlier investors. He was ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution and serve three years of supervised release.
—The Memphis Grizzlies signed center Ryan Hollins to a 10-day contract.
Hollins begins his third stint with the Grizzlies this season. He was waived in training camp and again on Jan. 7.
—The Phoenix Suns signed forward Cory Jefferson to a 10-day contract, the team announced.
Jefferson was with the Suns earlier this season and averaged 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in six games. He was waived on Jan. 7.
—The Charlotte Hornets assigned guard Aaron Harrison to the Oklahoma City Blue of the D-League, the team announced.
Harrison has played in nine games for the Hornets and is averaging 0.8 points and 0.9 rebounds.