NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates & Player News
Stephen Curry espn.com remains sidelined as he continues rehabbing his right knee without yet progressing to court work, telling reporters he'll be out a "little longer." Kristaps Porzingis espn.com will miss his fourth consecutive game due to general illness, while Joel Embiid espn.com has been ruled out for at least three games with a strained right oblique. Norman Powell espn.com joins the injury list with a Grade 1 right groin strain that will keep him out at least a week, and Lauri Markkanen espn.com faces a two-week absence after hip issues. The Cavaliers are dealing with multiple absences as Donovan Mitchell espn.com and James Harden each missed their second straight game, joined by Keon Ellis and Dean Wade on the sidelines.
Contract Moves & Records
The Warriors locked in Gui Santos espn.com with a three-year, $15 million extension, securing their starting forward's future. Meanwhile, Kon Knueppel espn.com made history by breaking Keegan Murray's NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, connecting on his 207th in just 59 games. The Spurs added veteran presence by signing Mason Plumlee espn.com for the remainder of the season, while the Suns made a surprising move by waiving Cole Anthony espn.com just three weeks after acquiring him at the trade deadline.
On-Court Drama & Performances
Friday night's game between the Pistons and Cavaliers faced an unusual 18-minute delay in the third quarter when a power surge caused the overhead scoreboard to malfunction, triggering a blaring horn. On the court, tensions flared when Nikola Jokic espn.com angrily confronted Lu Dort after the Thunder guard was ejected for a flagrant foul, appearing to trip the Nuggets star. The Celtics delivered one of the best offensive performances in league history on Friday against the Nets, showcasing their dominance.
League News & Fines
The NBA handed down $25,000 fines to both Anthony Edwards espn.com and Desmond Bane for throwing the ball into the stands during recent games. Erik Spoelstra espn.com expressed excitement about the possibility of Kevin Durant joining the 2028 Olympic team, calling it "incredible" if the veteran star still wants to play. Meanwhile, Chris Bosh espn.com revealed a recent health scare that left him "lucky to be alive" after waking up "covered in my own blood."
As the season progresses, analysts are tracking key award races, with Cade Cunningham espn.com and Victor Wembanyama emerging as top MVP contenders. The Lakers face a crucial decision regarding Deandre Ayton espn.com as they enter the most important stretch of the season, needing him to accept a specific role. Fantasy analysts are also eyeing players like Julius Randle espn.com and Tyrese Haliburton for potential breakout performances