NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates
Nuggets star Jamal Murray espn.com left Friday night's game against the Knicks with an ankle injury, raising concerns about his availability Meanwhile, Celtics center Nikola Vucevic espn.com fractured the ring finger on his right hand during Friday's win over the Mavericks and will miss approximately a month. The Lakers will be without LeBron James espn.com and two of their big men in Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber on Friday against the Pacers, with Ayton having previously injured his knee against the Nuggets.
Grizzlies guard Ja Morant espn.com will miss at least two more weeks as he continues to recover from a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. Pistons forward Ausar Thompson espn.com left Thursday's loss to the Spurs in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle and did not return. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein exited OKC win with injuries espn.com during their 103-100 victory over the Knicks, with Caruso dealing with a left hip contusion and Hartenstein experiencing left calf tightness.
Player Returns & Performances
Trae Young espn.com thrilled the D.C. crowd in his Wizards debut, proving to be the type of player the team hasn't had since John Wall with 12 points in limited action. Despite being sidelined, Stephen Curry sent his remaining big name Draymond Green a text message of encouragement espn.com before the Warriors' overtime win in Houston on Thursday night. Jayson Tatum espn.com is making his return to Boston after a devastating Achilles injury, with the timing potentially shifting the NBA's balance of power with just weeks remaining in the season.
Cooper Flagg espn.com returned to the Dallas Mavericks' lineup Thursday night after missing eight games due to a left midfoot sprain, posting 18 points and six assists in a 115-114 loss to the Orlando Magic. The young forward's return was unfortunately spoiled by a late Magic rally.
League News & Analysis
The Warriors traded for Kristaps Porzingis espn.com on Feb. 4, but the big man has made only one appearance since his Feb. 19 debut due to what's described as a "mysterious" illness, leaving the team to reckon with their future plans. Malik Beasley espn.com received a $1 million civil judgment in a contract dispute with his former agency after a federal judge in New York issued the ruling.
Prominent basketball coaches including Steve Kerr and Doc Rivers espn.com signed a public letter contending that political interference in universities threatens to undermine college athletics. The San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama espn.com visited Alaska to see the northern lights after the All-Star break, calling the experience "the best thing I've ever seen."
Coach Mike Brown espn.com praised Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after the Knicks' 103-100 loss, saying "SGA, he's a tough cover, and he does a great job of convincing the referees -- probably better than anybody in the league -- that he's getting hit." As fantasy playoffs approach, managers should evaluate which players to pick up espn.com around the league. The Eastern Conference's improved strength espn.com could surprise in the postseason according to ESPN analyst Zach Kram, who explores how the East's underrated power might challenge the Western Conference's recent dominance. With six weeks remaining until the playoffs, NBA Power Rankings espn.com highlight the most intriguing games left on the schedule for all 30 teams. Finally, Wemby espn.com expressed gratitude to the public for its help in finding a longtime friend who had disappeared after being dropped off at a Chicago airport.