NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×NBA Roundup: buzzer-beaters, injuries mount, and MVP chaos
The NBA’s final days before the playoff push delivered dramatic finishes and significant roster blows. Jalen Green espn.com delivered a stunning double-overtime win for Phoenix with a corner three at the buzzer, while New York erased an 18-point deficit espn.com to stun Houston. The injury report grew heavier across the league, notably for the Suns, who lost Dillon Brooks espn.com to a broken hand hours after Devin Booker espn.com was ruled out a week with a hip strain.
Game Highlights & Comebacks
A lifeless Knicks team erupted for 42 fourth-quarter points to complete a massive comeback against the Rockets. Earlier, Jalen Green capped a 40-point performance with a game-winning three to secure a 113-110 double-OT victory for the Suns over Orlando. In the Eastern Conference, Cade Cunningham espn.com authored a masterful 42-point, 13-assist performance to power the Pistons past New York, making a strong MVP case in the process.
Injury Updates Across the League
The Suns' injury crisis deepened as Dillon Brooks joined Devin Booker on the sidelines with a broken left hand. Chicago will be without Jaden Ivey espn.com for at least two weeks due to knee soreness. Sacramento suffered another catastrophic loss as De'Andre Hunter espn.com underwent season-ending retina surgery, becoming the third Kings player lost for the year. Golden State will be without Stephen Curry espn.com for at least five more games after a clean MRI on his knee. For Oklahoma City, the post-All-Star break will begin without stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander espn.com and Jalen Williams. Dallas ruled rookie Cooper Flagg espn.com out Friday with a midfoot sprain.
Team Strategies & Front Office Moves
The Lakers are planning major ticket price hikes espn.com for the 2026-27 season and made a front-office addition by hiring Dodgers executive Lon Rosen espn.com. They also expect a fully healthy roster with Luka Doncic espn.com and Austin Reaves back against the Clippers. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue espn.com insisted the team’s mindset remains focused on winning despite a different roster. Suns owner Mat Ishbia espn.com strongly criticized tanking, calling it "losing behavior done by losers," a direct contrast to the league's planned anti-tanking rule changes espn.com for next season.
MVP Race & League Developments
The MVP straw poll espn.com remains tight between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, but the race is clouded by the 65-game threshold issue. A year after his season ended with a blood clot, Victor Wembanyama espn.com has the Spurs on the brink of the playoffs. Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis espn.com provided a scoring spark in his Warriors debut after a long absence. Trae Young espn.com nears his Wizards debut, while Anthony Davis remains in a holding pattern. Pau Gasol espn.com will serve as an IOC athlete representative through the LA28 Games.
Player News & Off-Court Matters
La Melo Ball espn.com feels "blessed" to be uninjured after a two-car crash in Charlotte. Jaylen Brown espn.com is considering legal action against Beverly Hills over an event shutdown during All-Star Weekend. The Warriors' Porzingis was rusty but effective in 17 minutes. Phoenix will also monitor Booker's hip espn.com recovery after he left Thursday's game early.