NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates
Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen espn.com will be reevaluated in two weeks after an MRI on his hip Thursday, sources told ESPN, making him the latest Utah player to be sidelined because of an injury. Heat guard Norman Powell espn.com, the team's leading scorer, has a Grade 1 right groin strain and will be out for at least a week, the team said Friday. Cavaliers stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden espn.com each missed their second straight game Friday for Cleveland, which also ruled out Keon Ellis and Dean Wade.
Player Performances & Records
Kon Knueppel espn.com broke Keegan Murray's NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th on Thursday night against the Pacers. Dejounte Murray espn.com scored 13 points in his comeback from a ruptured right Achilles tendon Tuesday, with the Pelicans raving that he "didn't miss a beat." Zion Williamson espn.com has found the ability to stay on the court, emerging as an option for the Pelicans.
Transactions & Roster Moves
The Suns waived Cole Anthony espn.com Friday after the guard did not appear in any games since he was acquired at the NBA trade deadline. Mason Plumlee espn.com has signed a deal with the San Antonio Spurs for the remainder of the season, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN. Former Virginia coach Tony Bennett espn.com joined the Lakers on Wednesday as NBA draft adviser to president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka.
Fines & Discipline
The NBA fined Anthony Edwards and Desmond Bane espn.com $25,000 each for throwing the ball into the stands in recent games. James Harden espn.com sat out Wednesday night's game at Milwaukee after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb Tuesday against the Knicks.
Team Dynamics & Strategy
Deandre Ayton and the Lakers espn.com are entering the most crucial stretch of the season. The question is: Will he accept the role they desperately need him to play? Kenny Atkinson espn.com noted the "renewed confidence" the addition of James Harden has brought to his Cavaliers team after they beat the Knicks on Tuesday night.
All-Star Weekend & Future Events
Suns owner Mat Ishbia espn.com wants more star players participating in All-Star Weekend events when Phoenix hosts next year -- and is hoping to entice them by offering a $1 million prize to the winners of the competitions. Jontay Porter espn.com, banned for life by the NBA for gambling in 2024 and currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to a related federal charge, is planning to play for an upstart pro basketball league.
Historical Features & Analysis
Chris Bosh espn.com said that he's "lucky to be alive" after a recent health scare that resulted in him waking up "covered in my own blood." Kobe Bryant espn.com wasn't the first choice for Nike's black mamba campaign in late 2002 -- that star was not Kobe Bryant. The Lakers lost to the Magic espn.com 110-109 on Tuesday after a botched sidelines out-of-bounds play between Le Bron James and Luka Doncic in the final seconds failed to produce a quality shot.
Power Rankings & Awards
NBA insiders espn.com break down where all 30 teams land coming out of the All-Star break. Andre Snellings espn.com looks at the NBA awards races and explains which ones to bet on, and which to avoid entirely. Julius Randle espn.com is among players forecasted to potentially finish in the top, while Tyrese Haliburton could land in the top.
Business & League Operations
New Lakers president Lon Rosen espn.com made it clear that GM Rob Pelinka will remain in his role and be flanked by Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi. The Pistons faced a shell of the defending champion Thunder on Wednesday night in a possible NBA Finals preview, with OKC's top six scorers injured.