NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Player Moves & Suspensions
Banned by the NBA for gambling violations, Jontay Porter is joining the USBL's Super Hawks as he awaits sentencing on federal charges. The move comes after Porter's lifetime ban from the NBA in 2024 following an investigation into betting patterns linked to his games.
Team Transactions
The Lakers added Tony Bennett as NBA draft adviser, bringing the former Virginia coach to work alongside president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka. Meanwhile, new Lakers president Lon Rosen confirmed that GM Rob Pelinka will remain in his role, flanked by Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi in the front office restructuring.
Game Results & Injuries
The Cavaliers ruled out James Harden for Wednesday's game against Milwaukee after he suffered a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb during Tuesday's matchup against the Knicks. The injury comes as the Cavaliers have shown renewed confidence since Harden's arrival, according to coach Kenny Atkinson.
Player Performances
Dejounte Murray returned from Achilles injury to score 13 points in his comeback game for the Pelicans, with teammates celebrating his seamless return. The performance came as part of a broader trend of players finding durability, with Zion Williamson showing improved ability to stay on the court this season.
Controversies & Betting
Suns owner Mat Ishbia offered $1 million to winners of All-Star Weekend events in Phoenix, hoping to entice star players to participate in the festivities. The incentive comes as MVP odds have tightened between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, with both players at risk of ineligibility for the award due to potential playing time requirements.
Notable Games
The Lakers suffered a botched final play in their 110-109 loss to the Magic, with a failed sideline out-of-bounds play between Le Bron James and Luka Doncic in the final seconds. The defeat came amid broader discussions about team dynamics, including the secret history of Nike's black mamba campaign that was originally presented to another NBA superstar before Kobe Bryant.