NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates
Nuggets star Jamal Murray espn.com is considered day to day after leaving Friday's loss to the Knicks with an ankle injury, sources told ESPN. The Lakers will be without LeBron James espn.com after downgrading him from questionable to out before Sunday's game against the Knicks. Deandre Ayton espn.com left Thursday's loss to the Nuggets with a knee injury, while LeBron James complained of a sore elbow afterward and said he wasn't sure of his status for Friday's game against the Pacers. 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.
Player Returns and Debuts
Kristaps Porzingis espn.com, playing in just his second game for the Warriors after recovering from another bout of illness, says he feels healthy and ready to play consistently again. In his limited time on the court, Trae Young espn.com proved in his Wizards debut that he is the type of player the team hasn't had since John Wall, thrilling the D.C. crowd and finishing with 12 points in a 115-114 loss to the Pacers. Cooper Flagg espn.com returned to the Mavericks' lineup Thursday night after missing eight games because of a left midfoot sprain and had 18 points and six assists in a 115-114 loss to the Orlando Magic.
Game Highlights
Victor Wembanyama espn.com said he had "zero left" physically but was all smiles after the Spurs overcame a 25-point deficit to stun the Clippers 116-112. Pistons forward Ausar Thompson espn.com left Thursday's loss to the Spurs in the first quarter and didn't return because of a sprained right ankle. The Warriors traded for Porzingis on Feb. 4. He made his debut on Feb. 19 and has not played since, as a 'mysterious' illness sidelines the big man.
Surgery and Recovery
Celtics center Nikola Vucevic espn.com underwent surgery to repair a fractured ring finger on his right hand and will be reevaluated in three to four weeks, the team announced. The Lakers will be without LeBron James and two of their big men in Deandre Ayton espn.com and Maxi Kleber on Friday against the Pacers, the team announced. Should fantasy basketball managers keep players like Nikola Vucevic espn.com, Miles Bridges and others?
Legal and Off-Court News
A federal judge in New York issued a $1 million civil judgment against NBA free agent Malik Beasley espn.com in a contract dispute with his former agency. In the hours leading up to the Warriors' overtime win in Houston on Thursday night, their absent superstar, Stephen Curry, sent their remaining big name, Draymond Green, a text message of encouragement.