NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×NBA News & Notes
Banned by NBA, Jontay Porter is planning to join the USBL's Super Hawks after pleading guilty to a federal gambling charge. Suns owner Mat Ishbia is offering $1 million to All-Star contest winners to boost participation when Phoenix hosts next year. Former Virginia coach Tony Bennett joined the Lakers as NBA draft adviser to Rob Pelinka.
MVP Race Developments
MVP odds have tightened as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic near ineligibility for the award. The top two favorites could miss the qualification threshold with the season nearing its conclusion.
Injury Updates
Cavaliers guard James Harden suffered a non-displaced thumb fracture and is out for Wednesday's game against the Bucks. Hawks forward Jalen Johnson exited Tuesday's win over the Wizards after just 5½ minutes with a left hip flexor injury.
Player Spotlights
Zion Williamson is finding consistency and staying on the court, raising questions about whether he's finally put durability concerns behind him. Jonathan Kuminga shined in his debut for the Hawks after months on the Warriors' bench, while the team celebrated Dejounte Murray's return from a ruptured Achilles.
Game Results & Analysis
The Lakers lost 110-109 to the Magic after a botched final play between Le Bron James and Luka Doncic failed to produce a quality shot. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson noted "renewed confidence" since adding James Harden, following their win over the Knicks. The Hawks honored Trae Young in his return to Atlanta with the Wizards, where he's recovering from a knee injury.
Team Outlooks
New Lakers president Lon Rosen confirmed that GM Rob Pelinka will remain in his role, flanked by Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi. NBA insiders broke down where all 30 teams land in the power rankings coming out of the All-Star break, with questions about whether the Wolves will rise.
Off-Court Stories
Nike began creating a global black mamba campaign in late 2002, presenting it to an NBA superstar who was not Kobe Bryant. The campaign's secret history reveals an interesting footnote in basketball marketing lore.