NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Game Results & Highlights
Celtics espn.com delivered one of the best offensive performances in league history against the Nets on Friday night. In a possible NBA Finals preview, the Pistons faced a shell of the defending champion Thunder with Oklahoma City's top six scorers hurt. The Lakers suffered a heartbreaking 110-109 loss to the Magic on Tuesday after a botched final play between Le Bron James and Luka Doncic failed to produce a quality shot in the final seconds.
Injury Updates
Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen espn.com will be reevaluated in two weeks after an MRI on his hip, becoming the latest Utah player to be sidelined. All-Star guard Norman Powell, the Heat's leading scorer, has a Grade 1 right groin strain and will be out for at least a week. The Cavaliers faced multiple absences as All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden each missed their second straight game against the Pistons, along with Keon Ellis and Dean Wade. Harden's absence was confirmed after X-rays revealed a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb.
Transactions & Roster Moves
Suns espn.com waived Cole Anthony three weeks after acquiring him in a trade, as the guard did not appear in any games with his new team. Mason Plumlee espn.com has signed a deal with the San Antonio Spurs for the remainder of the season. The Lakers added former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as NBA draft adviser to president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka. In other news, Jontay Porter, banned for life by the NBA for gambling, is planning to play for the USBL's Super Hawks.
Records & Achievements
Knueppel espn.com broke Keegan Murray's NBA rookie record for 3-pointers by making his 207th on Thursday night against the Pacers. The NBA fined Anthony Edwards and Desmond Bane $25,000 each for throwing the ball into the stands in recent games. Former NBA star Chris Bosh revealed he's "lucky to be alive" after a recent health scare that resulted in him waking up "covered in my own blood."
Analysis & League News
Suns owner Mat Ishbia espn.com is offering a $1 million prize to winners of All-Star Weekend events to entice more star players to participate when Phoenix hosts next year. The NBA Power Rankings have been updated after the All-Star break, with analysts assessing where all 30 teams currently stand. Fantasy analysts are examining whether Zion Williamson has finally put durability questions behind him, as he's finding more success staying on the court.