NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Game Highlights
The Lakers espn.com lost 110-109 to the Magic after a final-seconds play between Le Bron James and Luka Doncic broke down. The Kings espn.com snapped a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak with a 123-114 win over the Grizzlies, powered by Russell Westbrook's 25 points. The Spurs espn.com secured their ninth consecutive victory, a physical win over the Pistons. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic espn.com logged a 35-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist triple-double, but the Nuggets fell 128-117 to a shorthanded Warriors squad missing Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green.
Injury Report
Hawks All-Star espn.com Jalen Johnson exited Tuesday's game with a left hip flexor injury after just 5½ minutes. Trail Blazers guard espn.com Shaedon Sharpe faces a 4-6 week re-evaluation period for a stress reaction in his left fibula. Jazz center espn.com Jusuf Nurkic will undergo nose surgery this week, ending his season. Pacers star espn.com Tyrese Haliburton has been diagnosed with shingles and is expected to miss several weeks. Bulls guard espn.com Anfernee Simons continues to deal with an aggravated fractured left wrist, with no return timeline.
Team Moves & Returns
Dejounte Murray espn.com scored 13 points in his highly anticipated return from a ruptured Achilles, helping the Pelicans defeat the Warriors. The Pelicans praised his seamless reintegration. The Hawks espn.com have shifted the starting lineup, inserting veteran CJ Mc Collum for former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher. In his Hawks debut after months on Golden State's bench, Jonathan Kuminga espn.com delivered a standout performance. Trae Young espn.com made his first return to Atlanta since being traded, attending the game while recovering from a knee and quad injury. Coby White espn.com debuted for the Hornets against his former Bulls team.
Coaching & Front Office
Cavaliers coach espn.com Kenny Atkinson credited James Harden's arrival with instilling a "renewed confidence" in his team following a win over the Knicks. Pacers coach espn.com Rick Carlisle challenged the NBA's $100,000 fine for violating player participation policies, asserting the league did not consult team doctors. New Lakers president espn.com Lon Rosen confirmed GM Rob Pelinka will remain in his role, supported by executives Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi.
League Context & Power Rankings
The NBA's espn.com latest power rankings assess all 30 teams post-All-Star break, debating if the Timberwolves can ascend. Our league insiders espn.com also break down the critical questions for the 10 worst teams as the draft approaches. The league fined Grizzlies guard espn.com Scotty Pippen Jr. and Heat forward Myron Gardner $35,000 each for a recent on-court scuffle.
Off-Court & Historical
ESPN's espn.com deep dive reveals the secret history of the "Black Mamba" persona, which Nike first pitched to an NBA superstar other than Kobe Bryant in 2002. Kevin Durant told ESPN espn.com he intends to play in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, critiquing U.S. hoops critics. A grand jury declined to indict espn.com former NBA guard Patrick Beverley on charges from a fall "family violence" incident. Hall of Famer espn.com Marques Johnson celebrated another birthday with his traditional dunk.