In last night’s 109-101 loss, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts ran a nine-man rotation, a development that became largely notable for who it didn’t include: Derrick Jones Jr. After experiencing a steady decline in minutes in the month of April, the newly-signed, former Heat forward received a DNP-Coach’s Decision against the Hornets. Per Jamie Hudson of NBC Sports Northwest, that wasn’t a decision Stotts had preordained before the game.
For the first time all season, Jones was on the receiving end of a healthy DNP. Stotts instead opted for 10-day contract signee Rondae-Hollis Jefferson, citing his energy as the reason for his promotion.