NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates
Joel Embiid espn.com will miss at least three games with a strained right oblique, the 76ers announced Saturday. Zion Williamson espn.com "tweaked his ankle" and left Saturday's win over the Jazz in the second quarter. Lauri Markkanen espn.com will be reevaluated in two weeks after an MRI on his hip, sources told ESPN, making him the latest Utah player sidelined by injury. Norman Powell espn.com has a Grade 1 right groin strain and will be out for at least a week, the Heat said Friday.
Player Performances
Kon Knueppel espn.com broke Keegan Murray's NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th on Thursday night against the Pacers. Anthony Edwards espn.com and Desmond Bane were each fined $25,000 for throwing the ball into the stands in recent games. Nikola Jokic espn.com angrily confronted Thunder guard Lu Dort after Dort was ejected for a flagrant foul 2 that appeared to trip the Nuggets star, who called it "an unnecessary move."
Team Moves
The Warriors espn.com signed starting forward Gui Santos to a three-year, $15 million contract extension Saturday, sources told ESPN. The Spurs espn.com signed Mason Plumlee to a deal for the remainder of the season, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN. The Suns espn.com waived Cole Anthony Friday, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania, after the guard didn't appear in any games since being acquired at the trade deadline.
Game Notes
Friday night's game espn.com between the Pistons and Cavaliers was delayed for 18 minutes in the third quarter by a blaring horn after a power surge caused the overhead scoreboard to malfunction. The Celtics espn.com posted one of the best offensive performances in league history Friday night against the Nets. The Cavaliers espn.com ruled out All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden along with Keon Ellis and Dean Wade for Friday's game against the Pistons.
Off-Court News
Stephen Curry espn.com acknowledged he'll be out "a little longer" as he rehabs from persistent right knee issues without yet advancing to court work. Kristaps Porzingis espn.com will miss a fourth straight game Saturday due to general illness, though Warriors coach Steve Kerr walked back earlier comments about a specific diagnosis. Erik Spoelstra espn.com said it would be "incredible" to think of Kevin Durant on the 2028 Olympic team if Durant still wants to play.
Historical Context
Chris Bosh espn.com said he's "lucky to be alive" after a recent health scare that resulted in him waking up "covered in my own blood."