Rockets' Jock Landale: Should be healthy for training camp
Rotowire
Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said Landale (ankle) will be a full participant in training camp at the end of September, Coty M. Davis of SI.com reports.
Landale suffered a left ankle injury while playing for the Australian national team at the FIBA World Cup in mid-August, but the injury isn't expected to impact his availability for the start of the 2023-24 NBA campaign. The big man is currently able to do some basketball drills, but he hasn't progressed to 5-on-5 work yet. Landale signed a three-year contract with Houston in July and is slated to be the primary backup to Alperen Sengun.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Jock Landale: Injures ankle in FIBA World Cup
Rotowire
Landale is expected to miss the Australian national team's remaining games in the FIBA World Cup after he suffered a left ankle injury midway through the first quarter of Wednesday's 88-67 exhibition win over South Sudan, Olgun Uluc of ESPN.com reports.
Australia head coach Brian Goorjian said after the game that Landale will undergo an MRI, and though the extent of his injury won't be known until the results of his medical tests are available, the Boomers aren't counting on the 27-year-old center making it back on the court before the tournament comes to an end Sept. 10. Heading into Wednesday, Landale had already missed Australia's first two warmup games with a right ankle injury. Given the multiple ankle injuries, Landale may not receive clearance from the Rockets -- who signed him to a three-year contract in free agency in July -- to suit up in the World Cup even if the MRI doesn't reveal anything overly concerning. Unless he requires surgery to address the ankle injury, Landale should still have a good chance of being available for the start of the Rockets' training camp in early October.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Jock Landale: Signs with Rockets
Rotowire
Landale signed a three-year, $32 million with the Rockets on Saturday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
The first year of the deal is fully guaranteed, while the subsequent two years are not, and the fourth year of the deal is a team option. Landale spent the 2022-23 season with the Suns, averaging 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds across 69 appearances (four starts) while serving as Deandre Ayton's backup.
... See More... See Less
Jock Landale: Set to hit free agency
Rotowire
The Suns decided not to extend Landale a qualifying offer for 2023-24 on Friday, making him an unrestricted free agent, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports.
Despite previous reports that Landale was extended a qualifying offer early in the week, it appears the Suns have now pulled their offer, so Phoenix will not be able to match any offer the 27-year-old center receives. While the Suns seem to be set on keeping Deandre Ayton, Bismack Biyombo is now the only other center on their roster.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Receives qualifying offer
Rotowire
The Sun extended Landale a qualifying offer Wednesday, making him a restricted free agent, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Phoenix will now have the ability to match any offer Landale receives in free agency this summer. The Suns are reportedly looking to keep Deandre Ayton, but they also like what Landale brings to the table as a backup. Last season, he averaged 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 14.2 minutes across 69 regular-season appearances (four starts).
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Closes in Game 3 victory
Rotowire
Landale posted six points (3-3 FG), nine rebounds and one steal across 22 minutes during Friday's 121-114 win over the Nuggets in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Landale played meaningful minutes in the Game 3 win, closing the game over Deandre Ayton who was simply awful. While this is unlikely to be a permanent move, it is interesting that head coach Monty Williams opted to go with Landale, over someone like Bismack Biyombo. Ayton's production is wildly inconsistent, something that has been an ongoing issue. While the team was able to hold on for the victory, they are going to need more from Ayton should they hope to keep moving forward in the playoffs.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Not in starting lineup for Game 1
Rotowire
Landale isn't starting Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against the Clippers on Sunday.
Landale started the regular-season finale for the Suns with the team resting several key players. However, he'll unsurprisingly retreat to the bench for the start of the playoffs.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Gets spot start Sunday
Rotowire
Landale will start Sunday's game against the Clippers, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
With the Suns locked into the fourth seed and resting all their starters, Landale slides into the starting lineup and will be joined by Josh Okogie, Ish Wainright, Landry Shamet and Saben Lee. Last time out, Landale posted 17 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Impresses with extended opportunity
Rotowire
Landale ended with 17 points (8-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 10 rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes during Friday's 121-107 loss to the Lakers.
Landale came into Friday having played a combined eight minutes over his previous two games, but he got more time on the court with Phoenix opting to rest most of its starters. The big man didn't shy away from the opportunity, recording his third double-double of the campaign and first since Jan. 21. Landale tied his season high with 17 points in the loss, and he could get decent run again Sunday in the Suns' regular-season finale with the team locked into the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. However, he'll likely get minimal minutes once the playoffs begin.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Matches season-high 17 points
Rotowire
Landale closed with 17 points (8-11 FG, 1-1 FT), six rebounds and three assists across 25 minutes during Friday's 135-127 loss to Sacramento.
Landale got the best of Sacramento's big men, matching his season-high output with 17 points. He's seen double-digit minutes in each of the past five games and is helping hold down the center spot while Deandre Ayton (hip) -- out for the past three games -- remains shelved. Over the past five, Landale has averaged 9.2 points, 4.0 boards and 1.8 assists in 17.6 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Efficient outing in limited action
Rotowire
Landale finished Thursday's 116-113 win over the Magic with eight points (4-6 FG), three rebounds and two assists across 13 minutes.
Over his past two appearances, the talented big man has totaled 20 points (9-12 FG), six rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes, but his role is currently too small to trust on a nightly basis. Across eight March contests, Landale is averaging just 5.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 12.1 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Logs 21 minutes in blowout
Rotowire
Landale amassed nine points (3-3 FG, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 21 minutes during Friday's 125-104 win over Chicago.
Landale had a decent evening Friday, delivering arguably his best performance in more than a month. While it appears as though he has locked up the backup center role, with Deandre Ayton healthy, he typically won't see more than about 16-18 minutes per night. He can have some deeper league appeal for anyone needing boards and blocks, although that is the limit of his fantasy appeal.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Coming off bench Friday
Rotowire
Landale will come off the bench Friday against the Pacers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Landale got the start for the shorthanded Suns on Thursday against the big frontline of the Hawks, but he'll return to his usual reserve role with Devin Booker (groin) back and the team facing a smaller squad in the Pacers. In his past 17 games coming off the bench, Landale has averaged 7.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 15.0 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Starting Thursday
Rotowire
Landale will enter the first five for Thursday's game against the Hawks, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Landale will start alongside Deandre Ayton in the frontcourt with the Suns left shorthanded following their trade deadline activities. In two starts this season, Landale has averaged 10.5 points in 20.0 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Claims double-double off bench
Rotowire
Landale finished with 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one block in 17 minutes in Saturday's 112-107 win over the Pacers.
While Deandre Ayton (illness) was sidelined Saturday, Bismack Biyombo (12 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks in 30 minutes) received the promotion to the starting five and dominated the playing time at center, though Landale was still able to turn in a productive line of his own. In Ayton's past absences this season, the Suns haven't consistently favored Biyombo over Landale, so it's possible the latter center sees a larger share of the playing time Sunday against the Grizzlies while Ayton sits out for the second game in a row.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Returns to starting five
Rotowire
Landale is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Warriors.
The 27-year-old big man will replace Deandre Ayton (ankle) in the starting lineup Tuesday. Landale has averaged 10.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 20.0 minutes across his previous two starts.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Slides back to bench
Rotowire
Landale will return to the second unit for Friday's game against Toronto.
Landale had started two straight games but will return to the bench in favor of Josh Okogie. In 28 games with the second unit this season, Landale has averaged 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Effective in starting role
Rotowire
Landale supplied 16 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three rebounds and one block in 24 minutes during Tuesday's 125-108 win over Memphis.
Landale moved into the starting lineup for the first time this season, taking Devin Booker's (groin) spot as Phoenix looked to match up with Memphis' size. The move paid off, with Landale finishing second on the team in scoring on the strength of an efficient 4-for-5 mark from the field and 6-for-6 mark from the charity stripe. The big man even made both of his three-point attempts, a surprising development given that he entered Tuesday shooting just 15.8 percent from deep on 1.4 attempts per game. Landale isn't likely to take on a starting role on a long-term basis, so there's no need for fantasy managers to pluck him off the waiver wire despite this strong performance.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Starting Tuesday
Rotowire
Landale is in the starting lineup Tuesday against Memphis.
Landale is making his first start of the season and just his second career one. The center has averaged 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds off the bench this year.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Jock Landale: Available versus Memphis
Rotowire
Landale (concussion) is available for Friday's game against Memphis, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Landale missed back-to-back games earlier in the week due to concussion protocol, but he's been cleared to return Friday. Over his eight previous appearances before the injury, Landale posted 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game.
