NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Cavaliers Surge to Top of NBA
The Cleveland Cavaliers espn.com have transformed their season, climbing from a play-in spot in January to the best record in the NBA. The addition of 11-time All-Star James Harden has been a key factor in their remarkable turnaround.
Harden espn.com made his return on Sunday despite dealing with a broken thumb in his non-shooting hand. The veteran guard's presence was felt immediately as the Cavaliers secured a victory in his first game back.
Injury Updates Across the League
Warriors star Stephen Curry espn.com will miss at least the next five games due to his persistent right knee issue. The team announced that Curry has yet to advance to court work in his rehabilitation, meaning he'll be sidelined "a little longer."
Joel Embiid espn.com will miss at least three games for the 76ers with a strained right oblique. Meanwhile, Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen espn.com is set to be reevaluated in two weeks after an MRI on his hip.
Heat guard Norman Powell espn.com has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 right groin strain and will be out for at least a week. The injury sidelines Miami's leading scorer at a crucial point in the season.
Rookie Records and Veteran Achievements
Kon Knueppel espn.com broke Keegan Murray's NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th on Thursday night against the Pacers. The young guard achieved this milestone in just 59 games.
LeBron James espn.com celebrated a different kind of achievement recently - a successful father-daughter road trip with his daughter Zhuri. The Lakers' win capped off their special journey together.
Notable Game Results
The Knicks espn.com delivered a dominant defensive performance, holding a streaking Spurs team to just 89 points. New York's "high-level" defense was the key to snapping San Antonio's winning streak.
The Celtics espn.com posted one of the best offensive performances in league history on Friday night against the Nets. Their historic showing from the floor showcased their championship-caliber potential.
Player Health Concerns
Pelicans forward Zion Williamson espn.com "tweaked his ankle" and was forced to leave Saturday's win over the Jazz in the second quarter. The team will be monitoring his condition closely.
Mavericks center Dereck Lively II espn.com is set to undergo another surgery on his ailing left ankle. His return timeline remains to be determined, creating uncertainty for Dallas' rotation.
Coaching and Management Moves
Warriors coach Steve Kerr espn.com walked back his earlier comments about Kristaps Porzingis' diagnosis. The center will miss a fourth straight game due to general illness.
The Spurs espn.com signed Mason Plumlee to a deal for the remainder of the season. The veteran big man adds depth to San Antonio's frontcourt.
Olympic and International News
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra espn.com expressed excitement about the possibility of Kevin Durant playing in the 2028 Olympics. "It would be incredible" to see the veteran star represent Team USA again.
Technical Difficulties and Ejections
Friday night's game between the Pistons and Cavaliers espn.com was delayed for 18 minutes in the third quarter by a blaring horn after a power surge caused the overhead scoreboard to malfunction.
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. The incident sparked controversy as Jokic called the play "an unnecessary move."
Contract Extensions and Waivers
The Warriors espn.com signed starting forward Gui Santos to a three-year, $15 million contract extension. The move secures a key rotation piece for Golden State's future.
Cole Anthony espn.com was waived by the Suns just three weeks after being acquired at the NBA trade deadline. The guard did not appear in any games during his brief tenure with Phoenix.
Player Perspectives
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton espn.com shared his appreciation for birthday wishes, noting that being born on a leap year is "just as good" when it's not technically his birthday. The unique circumstance has shaped his perspective on celebrating milestones.