NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Player Injuries & Health Updates
Joel Embiid espn.com will miss at least three games due to a strained right oblique according to the 76ers. Norman Powell espn.com has a Grade 1 right groin strain and will be out for at least a week the Heat announced. Lauri Markkanen espn.com will be reevaluated in two weeks after an MRI on his hip making him the latest Jazz player sidelined by injury. Donovan Mitchell espn.com and James Harden each missed their second straight game for the Cavaliers who also ruled out Keon Ellis and Dean Wade.
Contract Extensions & Roster Moves
The Warriors signed Gui Santos espn.com to a three-year $15 million contract extension on Saturday sources told ESPN. 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. The Suns waived Cole Anthony espn.com three weeks after acquiring him at the NBA trade deadline sources told ESPN's Shams Charania after the guard did not appear in any games.
On-Court Incidents & Fines
Thunder guard Lu Dort espn.com was called for a flagrant foul 2 and ejected from Friday night's game after appearing to trip Nuggets star Nikola Jokic who called the play "an unnecessary move." The NBA fined Anthony Edwards and Desmond Bane espn.com $25,000 each for throwing the ball into the stands in recent games.
Record-Breaking Performances
Kon Knueppel espn.com broke Keegan Murray's NBA rookie record for 3-pointers making his 207th on Thursday night against the Pacers. The Celtics posted one of the best offensive performances espn.com in league history on Friday night against the Nets.
Game Delays & Technical Issues
Friday night's game between the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers was delayed for 18 minutes espn.com in the third quarter by a blaring horn after a power surge caused the overhead scoreboard to malfunction.
Olympic & Future Outlook
Erik Spoelstra espn.com says it's incredible to think of Kevin Durant on the 2028 Olympic team if Durant still wants to play. The Pistons faced a shell of the defending champion Thunder espn.com on Wednesday night in a possible NBA Finals preview with OKC's top 6 scorers hurt.
Player Health & Personal Stories
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." The NBA awards races are heating up espn.com with Andre Snellings analyzing which bets to make and which to avoid entirely.
Team Strategy & Role Questions
The Lakers are entering the most crucial stretch of the season with the question of whether Deandre Ayton espn.com will accept the role they desperately need him to play. Eric Karabell forecasts expectations espn.com for notable players such as Julius Randle La Melo Ball and more.