NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Coaching & Player Incidents
JJ Redick espn.com brushed aside his weekend bench exchange with Luka Doncic as much ado about nothing, expressing confusion over why the incident went viral. Meanwhile, Trae Young espn.com was ejected from Monday's loss to Houston for leaving the bench, just ahead of his Wizards debut Thursday against Utah.
Player Updates
Harrison Barnes espn.com saw his iron man streak end when he missed a game due to a sore left ankle after waking up from a pregame nap. James Harden espn.com made a successful return for Cleveland despite dealing with a broken thumb in his non-shooting hand, helping the Cavaliers maintain the NBA's best record. Stephen Curry espn.com will sit out at least five games because of his persistent right knee issue, while Zach Edey espn.com is set for another surgery on his ailing left ankle with his return date uncertain.
Team Transactions
The Nuggets espn.com bolstered their backcourt depth by signing free agent veteran point guard Tyus Jones. The Thunder espn.com added former Iowa forward Payton Sandfort on a two-way contract while waiving guard Buddy Boeheim. Oklahoma City also became the first team to clinch a postseason spot espn.com for the 2025-26 NBA playoffs.
Game Highlights
The Knicks espn.com stifled a streaking Spurs team, holding them to just 89 points in a dominant defensive performance. LeBron James espn.com enjoyed a successful father-daughter road trip with his daughter Zhuri, capped by a Lakers victory. Tyrese Haliburton espn.com shared his appreciation for birthday wishes, noting it's "just as good" when celebrating his actual birthday despite being born on a leap year.
Legal Developments
Prosecutors espn.com expect to extend formal plea agreements to 12 of the 31 defendants in the federal poker case involving rigged games. Chauncey Billups espn.com returned to court as the Portland Trail Blazers coach faces potential decades in prison for his connections to Mafia-affiliated poker games and illegal gambling operations.