NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Game Results & Standings
The Lakers suffered a heartbreaking 110-109 loss to the Magic after a botched final play between Le Bron James and Luka Doncic failed to produce a quality shot. The Hawks defeated the Wizards with Jonathan Kuminga shining in his debut after months of riding the bench in Golden State. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers beat the Knicks, with coach Kenny Atkinson noting the "renewed confidence" the addition of James Harden has brought to his team.
Player Performances & Injuries
Dejounte Murray made a triumphant return from a ruptured right Achilles tendon, scoring 13 points as the Pelicans raved over his comeback. Hawks All-Star Jalen Johnson played only 5½ minutes before leaving Tuesday's win with a left hip flexor injury. Bulls guard Anfernee Simons aggravated a fractured left wrist and the team did not offer a timeline for his return. Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe was diagnosed with a stress reaction of the left fibula and will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks.
Team Moves & Transactions
The Hawks have removed former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher from the starting lineup in favor of veteran CJ Mc Collum. Coby White is set to make his Charlotte Hornets debut against his former Bulls team. New Lakers president of business operations Lon Rosen made it clear that GM Rob Pelinka will remain in his role and be flanked by Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi.
League News & Analysis
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said the NBA did not speak with team doctors or players before issuing a $100K fine for violating the league's player participation policy, a claim the NBA has disputed. Trae Young, who is recovering from a sprained right knee and quadriceps contusion, returned to Atlanta on Tuesday night, his first appearance in his longtime home since being dealt to the Wizards. ESPN insiders broke down where all 30 teams land coming out of the All-Star break.
Feature Stories & Analysis
ESPN looked around the league to reveal Zion Williamson finding the ability to stay on the court, plus emerging options on the Clippers, Kings and Jazz. In late 2002, Nike began creating a global campaign featuring the black mamba -- and presented it to an NBA superstar. That star was not Kobe Bryant.