NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Player Updates
Stephen Curry espn.com remains sidelined with a persistent right knee issue, with the Warriors ruling him out for at least the next five games and acknowledging his return is still a "little longer" away. James Harden espn.com successfully returned from a broken thumb in his non-shooting hand, scoring 13 points in the Cleveland Cavaliers' win. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid espn.com will miss at least three games with a strained right oblique, and Zach Edey espn.com of the Memphis Grizzlies is set for another ankle surgery with a return timeline unknown. Zion Williamson espn.com tweaked his ankle in the Pelicans' win over the Jazz and was forced to exit.
Team News & Transactions
The Denver Nuggets espn.com added backcourt depth by signing free agent point guard Tyus Jones. The Oklahoma City Thunder espn.com signed former Iowa forward Payton Sandfort to a two-way contract while waiving Buddy Boeheim, days after clinching a postseason spot espn.com. The New York Knicks espn.com ended the San Antonio Spurs' winning streak with a dominant defensive performance, holding them to 89 points. The Golden State Warriors espn.com also listed Kristaps Porzingis out for a fourth straight game due to illness, a situation where coach Steve Kerr walked back previous comments on the diagnosis.
Coaching & League Notes
Chauncey Billups espn.com, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, is back in court facing decades in prison over his connections to Mafia-affiliated poker games and illegal gambling. Trae Young espn.com was ejected for leaving the bench before his Washington Wizards debut against Utah. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton espn.com, born on a leap year, shared his appreciation for birthday wishes, noting it's "just as good" when it's not technically his birthday.
Team Performance & Outlook
The Cleveland Cavaliers espn.com have transformed from a play-in team to owning the NBA's best record since January, with the addition of James Harden injecting "confidence renewed." Erik Spoelstra speculated espn.com that having Kevin Durant on the 2028 Olympic team would be "incredible" if the veteran forward still wants to play. The Los Angeles Lakers espn.com secured a win that capped off LeBron James' father-daughter road trip with his daughter Zhuri.