NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Player Injuries & Health Updates
Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton espn.com has been diagnosed with shingles and will be away from the team for a few weeks, coach Rick Carlisle announced Sunday. The injury bug continues to bite the league as Bulls guard Anfernee Simons espn.com will undergo additional imaging on his injured left wrist Monday and see a hand specialist. Blazers All-Star Deni Avdija espn.com left Sunday's win against the Suns after his lower back issue flared up. The Bulls will also be without guard Jaden Ivey espn.com for at least two weeks due to soreness in his left knee. Meanwhile, Suns guard Dillon Brooks espn.com broke his left hand Saturday night against Orlando and is still undergoing tests to determine his return timeline.
Team Performance & Game Results
Nikola Jokic espn.com delivered a historic performance with 35 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists in a triple-double, but his Denver Nuggets still fell 128-117 to the undermanned Golden State Warriors. The Warriors were missing both Kristaps Porzingis espn.com (illness) and Draymond Green (back for the contest. In another dramatic finish, Jalen Green espn.com hit a 3-pointer from the right corner at the buzzer to give the Phoenix Suns a 113-110 double-overtime victory over the Orlando Magic. The Knicks showed remarkable resilience as Julius Randle espn.com sparked an 18-point fourth-quarter rally to overcome a deficit and defeat the Rockets 108-106 on Saturday night.
Olympic & International Basketball
Kevin Durant espn.com told ESPN that he plans to play in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, keeping his Olympic career alive for another cycle. With Los Angeles 2028 up next on the Olympic calendar, questions swirl about what lies ahead for USA Basketball espn.com as they enter a new era with a new coach and important decisions to make. The road to 2028 presents both opportunities and challenges for the national team program as they look to maintain their dominance on the international stage.
Awards & Recognition
Jaylen Brown espn.com received a significant endorsement from his rival after fueling the Celtics' win over the Lakers on Sunday. Le Bron James publicly supported Brown in the MVP conversation, highlighting the respect between these storied rivals. Meanwhile, the Lakers honored their legendary coach as Pat Riley espn.com was celebrated with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, wearing his iconic Armani suit.
Fantasy Basketball & Roster Moves
As the season reaches its homestretch, fantasy managers should consider adding players like Desmond Bane espn.com, Moses Moody, and Neemias Queta to fill roster holes. Neemias Queta espn.com is having his best season as a pro, averaging 9.7 points. 2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks heading into Sunday's action. These under-the-radar contributors could provide crucial production during the fantasy playoffs.
Business & League Operations
The Lakers confirmed to ESPN on Saturday that they are planning significant ticket price increases espn.com for the 2026-27 season, signaling their confidence in continued demand despite competitive challenges. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue espn.com made it clear Friday that despite the team's drastically different look from their season-opening aspirations, the organization's goals remain unchanged - they're playing to win. The league continues to navigate competitive balance while maximizing revenue opportunities across its franchises.