NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×MVP Race Heats Up
MVP odds espn.com have tightened as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic face potential ineligibility concerns. The Oklahoma City star and Denver's triple-double machine are the top betting favorites, but both could miss crucial games that might affect their candidacy.
Injury Updates
The Cavaliers announced James Harden espn.com suffered a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb during Tuesday's game against the Knicks. Cleveland lists their new guard as questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Bucks. Meanwhile, Anfernee Simons espn.com aggravated a fractured left wrist and remains without a return timeline. The Trail Blazers also revealed Shaedon Sharpe espn.com has a stress reaction in his left fibula, with re-evaluation scheduled in four to six weeks.
Team Performance & Standings
Russell Westbrook espn.com scored 25 points as the Kings snapped their franchise-worst 16-game losing streak with a 123-114 victory over the Grizzlies on Monday night. The win ended Sacramento's longest skid in team history. In contrast, the Spurs espn.com continued their strong play, winning their ninth straight game by defeating the Pistons in what coach Gregg Popovich called a potential NBA Finals preview.
Player Returns & Debuts
Dejounte Murray espn.com made his highly anticipated return from a ruptured Achilles tendon, scoring 13 points in his first game back. The Pelicans celebrated his comeback, noting he "didn't miss a beat" after nearly a year away. Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga espn.com shined in his debut for the Hawks after months of limited playing time with Golden State. However, Jalen Johnson espn.com lasted only 5½ minutes in his return to Atlanta before exiting with a left hip flexor injury.
Coaching & Management Moves
New Lakers president Lon Rosen made it clear that Rob Pelinka espn.com will remain in his role as general manager, flanked by Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi in the front office. In Indiana, Rick Carlisle espn.com questioned the NBA's process after receiving a $100,000 fine for violating the league's player participation policy, claiming the league didn't consult team doctors or players before issuing the penalty.
Olympic & International News
Kevin Durant espn.com told ESPN he plans to play in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, eyeing his fourth Olympic appearance. The announcement comes as USA Basketball prepares for a new era with Los Angeles 2028 espn.com on the horizon, including decisions about coaching staff and roster construction.
Historic Moments
The Lakers unveiled a statue of Pat Riley espn.com outside Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, honoring the legendary coach in his iconic Armani suit. Meanwhile, NBA legend Marques Johnson espn.com celebrated his annual birthday dunk tradition, taking flight at age 67 to the delight of fans.
Game Highlights
Neemias Queta espn.com threw down a dunk over Luka Doncic early in the Celtics-Lakers game, showcasing the 7-foot center's improved athleticism. Queta is having his best season as a pro, averaging 9.7 points. 2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. In another notable performance, Nikola Jokic espn.com recorded a 35-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist triple-double, but his Nuggets still fell 128-117 to an undermanned Warriors team missing four rotation players.
Legal & League Matters
A grand jury returned a no-bill in the case involving former NBA guard Patrick Beverley espn.com, who was arrested last fall in what police called a "family violence" incident. The NBA also fined Scotty Pippen Jr. espn.com and Myron Gardner $35,000 each for their on-court scuffle during a Grizzlies-Heat game over the weekend.
Upcoming Changes
The Hawks have removed former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher espn.com from the starting lineup in favor of veteran CJ Mc Collum. Meanwhile, Coby White espn.com is set to make his Hornets debut against his former Bulls team on Tuesday night, marking an emotional return to Chicago.
Season Outlook
With the trade deadline passed, our insiders break down the biggest questions for the NBA's 10 worst teams heading into the draft. The focus shifts to lottery positioning and potential franchise-altering picks for organizations looking to rebuild their rosters for next season.