NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Player Injuries & Updates
Knicks coach Mike Brown espn.com praised Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to convince referees of fouls, calling him "probably better than anybody in the league" at drawing calls. In the same game, Alex Caruso espn.com and Isaiah Hartenstein exited with injuries, with Caruso suffering a left hip contusion and Hartenstein dealing with left calf tightness. Both players will be reevaluated Thursday.
VJ Edgecombe espn.com will miss Wednesday's game against Utah due to a low back bruise suffered on a hard fall, sidelining the 76ers' rookie for at least one game. Harrison Barnes espn.com also saw his playing streak end as he missed his first game since 2021 after waking up with a sore left ankle.
Team Transactions
The Nuggets bolstered their backcourt espn.com by adding veteran point guard Tyus Jones, providing additional depth to their roster. Meanwhile, the Thunder signed Payton Sandfort espn.com to a two-way contract while waiving guard Buddy Boeheim, continuing their roster adjustments ahead of the postseason.
Coaching & Management
Steve Kerr espn.com and Doc Rivers were among several prominent coaches who signed a public letter Wednesday, arguing that political interference in universities threatens to undermine college basketball. In other coaching news, Chauncey Billups espn.com is back in court facing potential prison time related to connections to Mafia-affiliated poker games and illegal gambling.
League Analysis & Standings
The Thunder have clinched the first postseason spot espn.com with six weeks remaining in the regular season. Meanwhile, Zach Kram espn.com explores how the Eastern Conference's underrated strength could surprise in the postseason, challenging perceptions of Western Conference dominance.
Player Features
Victor Wembanyama espn.com recently visited Alaska to see the northern lights after the All-Star break, calling it "the best thing I've ever seen." The Spurs star also expressed gratitude that a missing friend espn.com had been located, thanking the public for their help in finding his longtime friend who had disappeared after being dropped off at a Chicago airport. JJ Redick espn.com downplayed his sideline exchange with Luka Doncic, calling it "very normal" and questioning why it went viral.
Fantasy Focus
With the fantasy playoffs approaching espn.com, managers should be monitoring around-the-league pickups to strengthen their rosters for the postseason stretch.