NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates & Availability
Kristaps Porzingis espn.com will miss a fourth consecutive game for the Warriors due to illness, while Joel Embiid espn.com is set to sit at least three games with a strained right oblique. In Utah, Lauri Markkanen espn.com will be reevaluated in two weeks following an MRI on his hip. Miami will be without leading scorer Norman Powell espn.com for at least a week with a Grade 1 groin strain. Cleveland ruled out All-Stars Donovan Mitchell espn.com and James Harden for a second straight game, alongside Keon Ellis and Dean Wade.
Team Transactions & Roster Moves
Golden State espn.com locked up starting forward Gui Santos with a three-year, $15 million extension. The San Antonio Spurs espn.com signed center Mason Plumlee for the remainder of the season. Phoenix waived Cole Anthony espn.com just three weeks after acquiring him at the trade deadline; he did not appear in any games for the Suns.
On-Court Highlights & Incidents
The Boston Celtics espn.com delivered one of the most efficient offensive performances in NBA history in a win over the Nets. A confrontation between Nikola Jokic espn.com and Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort led to a flagrant foul 2 and Dort’s ejection; Jokic called the play “unnecessary.” A blaring horn from a power surge caused an 18-minute delay in the Detroit Pistons espn.com-Cleveland Cavaliers game.
Awards Races & League News
Kon Knueppel espn.com set a new rookie record for 3-pointers, draining his 207th against the Pacers. The NBA fined Anthony Edwards espn.com and Desmond Bane $25,000 each for recent ball-heaving incidents. Erik Spoelstra said it would be “incredible” if Kevin Durant espn.com made the 2028 Olympic team. A health scare left former All-Star Chris Bosh espn.com saying he’s “lucky to be alive.”
Strategic Focus & Future Outlook
The Los Angeles Lakers espn.com face a critical stretch with Deandre Ayton, needing him to accept a specific role. Eric Karabell forecasts Julius Randle espn.com finishing in the top 10 of MVP voting and Bennedict Mathurin in the top. Andre Snellings’ awards analysis highlights Victor Wembanyama espn.com and Cade Cunningham as the top MVP bets. Oklahoma City ended a losing streak against Detroit despite playing without its top six scorers espn.com.