NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Player Performances & Injuries
James Harden espn.com will miss Wednesday's game against Milwaukee after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb during Tuesday's win over the Knicks. Jalen Johnson espn.com left Tuesday's victory over the Wizards after just 5½ minutes with a left hip flexor injury. Anfernee Simons espn.com remains sidelined with an aggravated left wrist fracture, with no return timeline announced by the Bulls. Shaedon Sharpe espn.com has been diagnosed with a stress reaction of the left fibula and will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks.
Team Moves & Coaching Changes
The Lakers added Tony Bennett espn.com as an NBA draft adviser to president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka. New Lakers president Lon Rosen confirmed that Pelinka will remain in his role espn.com and be flanked by Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi. The Hawks removed Zaccharie Risacher espn.com from the starting lineup in favor of veteran CJ Mc Collum. Jonathan Kuminga espn.com shined in his debut for the Hawks after months of bench time in Golden State.
Game Highlights & Results
The Kings snapped a 16-game losing streak espn.com with a 123-114 victory over the Grizzlies, ending the longest skid in franchise history. Russell Westbrook scored 25 points in the win. The Spurs won their ninth straight game espn.com by beating the Pistons in what was described as a potential NBA Finals preview. The Pelicans celebrated Dejounte Murray's return espn.com, with Murray scoring 13 points in his comeback from a ruptured right Achilles tendon.
All-Star Weekend & League News
Suns owner Mat Ishbia offered $1 million espn.com to winners of All-Star Weekend events when Phoenix hosts next year, hoping to entice more star players to participate. A grand jury returned a no-bill espn.com in the case involving former NBA guard Patrick Beverley, who was arrested last fall in what police called a "family violence" incident. The NBA did not speak with team doctors espn.com before issuing a $100K fine to the Pacers for violating the league's player participation policy, according to coach Rick Carlisle.
MVP Race & Fantasy Impact
The odds to win the NBA's regular-season MVP have tightened, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic espn.com at risk of not qualifying for the award due to potential rest days. Eric Karabell forecasts notable players espn.com like Julius Randle and La Melo Ball for fantasy impact, while noting Zion Williamson has found the ability to stay on the court. Coby White espn.com is set to make his Hornets debut against his former Bulls team.
Historical Features & Analysis
An in-depth feature revealed that Nike's black mamba campaign espn.com was originally presented to an NBA superstar who was not Kobe Bryant in late 2002. The Lakers lost to the Magic espn.com after a botched final play between Le Bron James and Luka Doncic failed to produce a quality shot. The Cavaliers showed renewed confidence espn.com since adding James Harden, according to coach Kenny Atkinson.
Player Transitions & Returns
Trae Young espn.com returned to Atlanta for the first time since being traded to the Wizards, where he was honored by the Hawks. Dejounte Murray is expected to return espn.com for the Pelicans against the Warriors after recovering from a ruptured Achilles. Jusuf Nurkic will undergo nose surgery espn.com and sit out the rest of the season for the Jazz. Jontay Porter, banned for life by the NBA for gambling, is planning to play espn.com for an upstart pro basketball league's Super Hawks.
Future Outlook & Rankings
NBA insiders break down where all 30 teams land espn.com coming out of the All-Star break. Our analysts evaluate draft, free agency and trade options espn.com for the league's 10 worst teams after the trade deadline. The question remains whether the Lakers can solve their Deandre Ayton dilemma espn.com as he enters a crucial stretch of the season.