NBA News Wire

NBA roundup: Popovich back with Spurs

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was reflective after returning from a two-game absence because of an undisclosed minor medical procedure.

Popovich, 65, said he was happy to be back before meeting the host Boston Celtics on Sunday.

“Sure. I don’t know what else I would do,” he said. “It’s winter, you know, plants don’t grow. I’m having a fight about books right now because I’ve decided that, at my age, there’s so many things you want to read, that you can’t do it. So do you just give up and read nothing, or do you go into high gear and read everything that you can find? I just thought I’d throw that out there.”

—Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade returned to action against the New York Knicks on Sunday after missing the previous seven games with a hamstring injury.

—Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins did not play Sunday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies because of a virus.

Cousins is averaging 23.5 points and 12.6 rebounds in 15 games this season.

The Kings recalled rookie forward Eric Moreland from the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League.

–The Detroit Pistons recalled forward Tony Mitchell from the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA D-League Sunday.

–The Cleveland Cavaliers assigned center Alex Kirk to the Canton Charge of the NBA D-League Sunday.

The Cavaliers claimed guard A.J. Price off waivers from the Indiana Pacers.