NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Player Discipline & Health
Anthony Edwards espn.com and Desmond Bane each received $25,000 fines from the NBA for throwing balls into the stands during recent games. Meanwhile, Chris Bosh espn.com revealed he's "lucky to be alive" after a recent health scare that left him waking up "covered in my own blood."
Trade & Team Dynamics
The Lakers espn.com face a critical juncture with Deandre Ayton as they enter a crucial stretch of the season, needing him to accept a specific role. The Pistons espn.com capitalized on the opportunity, defeating a shorthanded Thunder team missing its top six scorers in what could have been an NBA Finals preview matchup.
Personnel Moves & All-Star Weekend
Mat Ishbia espn.com, owner of the Suns, offered $1 million prizes to winners of All-Star Weekend events next year in Phoenix to boost star player participation. The Lakers espn.com bolstered their front office by adding former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as an NBA draft adviser to president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka.
MVP Race & Player Performance
The MVP odds have tightened considerably as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander espn.com and Nikola Jokic approach ineligibility thresholds. In fantasy basketball news, analysts are questioning whether Zion Williamson espn.com has finally put his durability concerns behind him after finding consistency on the court.
Recent Game Results
The Lakers espn.com suffered a heartbreaking 110-109 loss to the Magic when a botched final play between Le Bron James and Luka Doncic failed to produce a quality shot in the closing seconds. The Cavaliers espn.com showed renewed confidence since adding James Harden, according to coach Kenny Atkinson, though Harden espn.com himself is now sidelined with a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb.
Player Returns & Debuts
The Pelicans espn.com celebrated Dejounte Murray's successful return from a ruptured right Achilles tendon, where he scored 13 points without missing a beat. Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga espn.com made a strong impression in his debut for the Hawks after months on the bench in Golden State.
Injury Updates
Hawks espn.com All-Star forward Jalen Johnson exited Tuesday's win over the Wizards after just 5½ minutes due to a left hip flexor injury. Bulls espn.com guard Anfernee Simons continues to deal with a fractured left wrist suffered while with the Celtics, with no timeline for his return.
Special Appearances & Recognition
Trae Young espn.com, recovering from a sprained right knee and quadriceps contusion, made his first appearance in Atlanta since being traded to the Wizards, where he was honored by the Hawks. The Cavaliers have shown "belief" in their system since Harden joined the team, according to Atkinson.
League Developments
Banned NBA player Jontay Porter espn.com is planning to join the upstart USBL's Super Hawks after receiving a lifetime ban for gambling-related violations and pleading guilty to a federal charge. Analysts are forecasting potential top-10 and top-50 finishes for players like Julius Randle espn.com and La Melo Ball in upcoming seasons.