NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×MVP Race Heats Up
Le Bron James espn.com threw his support behind Jaylen Brown for MVP honors after Brown's standout performance helped the Celtics defeat the Lakers on Sunday. The endorsement adds fuel to an already crowded MVP conversation as the season approaches its final stretch.
Injury Updates
Deni Avdija espn.com exited Sunday's game against the Suns after his lower back issues flared up again. The Trail Blazers All-Star has been battling the injury for weeks, raising concerns about his availability Meanwhile, Anfernee Simons espn.com will undergo additional imaging on his injured left wrist Monday and visit a hand specialist, according to coach Billy Donovan.
Tyrese Haliburton espn.com received a shingles diagnosis and will be sidelined for several weeks, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle announced Sunday. The timing is particularly challenging for Indiana as they push for playoff positioning. Devin Booker espn.com will miss at least a week with a right hip strain sustained against the Spurs on Thursday, further depleting the Suns' backcourt depth.
Game Highlights
Nikola Jokic espn.com delivered a historic performance with 35 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists in a triple-double, but the Nuggets still fell 128-117 to the undermanned Warriors. Golden State was missing key players but managed to overcome Jokic's brilliance. Julius Randle espn.com sparked the Knicks' comeback with an 18-point fourth quarter, leading New York to rally from an 18-point deficit to beat the Rockets 108-106 on Saturday.
Jalen Green espn.com hit a dramatic 3-pointer from the right corner at the buzzer to give the Suns a 113-110 double-overtime victory over the Magic. The win came at a cost, as Dillon Brooks espn.com broke his left hand during the game and faces an uncertain return timeline. Jaden Ivey espn.com will miss at least two weeks with left knee soreness, adding to the Bulls' injury concerns.
Off-Court News
The Lakers honored Pat Riley espn.com with a statue unveiling outside Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, celebrating the legendary coach's contributions to the franchise. the team confirmed plans for major ticket price increases for the 2026-27 season, signaling confidence in continued demand despite recent on-court struggles.
De'Andre Hunter espn.com underwent surgery Friday to repair a detached retina in his left eye, becoming the third Kings player to require season-ending surgery in recent days. The injury wave continues to plague Sacramento's already disappointing campaign.
Olympic & International
Pau Gasol espn.com has been selected by Olympic athletes to serve as their representative on the IOC executive board through the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games. The two-time NBA champion's appointment highlights his respected status in international basketball circles.
Team Strategies
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue espn.com made it clear Friday that despite roster changes, the organization's championship aspirations remain unchanged. "We're playing to win," Lue stated, emphasizing that the team's goals haven't shifted despite looking drastically different from their season-opening roster.
The Warriors ruled out Kristaps Porzingis espn.com (illness) and Draymond Green (back as late scratches for Sunday's game against the Nuggets, further testing their depth as they chase playoff positioning.