NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×All-Star Incentives & Front Office Moves
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia espn.com is offering a $1 million prize to winners of All-Star Weekend events when the city hosts next season, hoping to boost star participation. In Los Angeles, new Lakers president Lon Rosen espn.com confirmed Rob Pelinka espn.com will retain his general manager role, while the organization also added former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as a draft adviser to Pelinka.
MVP Race & Injury Updates
The NBA's MVP odds espn.com have tightened as frontrunners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic face potential eligibility issues. In Cleveland, James Harden espn.com is questionable with a thumb fracture, though coach Kenny Atkinson espn.com praised the "renewed confidence" his addition has provided. Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray espn.com made a triumphant return for the Pelicans, with teammates noting he "didn't miss a beat" after his Achilles injury.
Team Turnarounds & Lineup Shifts
The Sacramento Kings espn.com snapped a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak with a road win over Memphis, led by Russell Westbrook's 25 points. The San Antonio Spurs espn.com continued their surge, winning their ninth straight in a physical clash with Detroit. In Atlanta, the Hawks espn.com received an energetic debut from Jonathan Kuminga but lost All-Star Jalen Johnson espn.com to a hip injury early in the game. The team also shifted its starting lineup, benching former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher espn.com in favor of veteran CJ Mc Collum.
Olympic Future & League Notes
Kevin Durant espn.com confirmed his intention to play for Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while a separate report outlined USA Basketball espn.com's path forward with a new coach and era. On the legal front, a grand jury declined to indict former NBA guard Patrick Beverley espn.com in a family violence case. The league also fined Scotty Pippen Jr. espn.com and Myron Gardner $35,000 each for a scuffle.
Injury Report & Fantasy Focus
Several key players are dealing with ailments. Coby White espn.com is set for his Hornets debut against his former Bulls team. Anfernee Simons espn.com continues to recover from a wrist fracture, and Deni Avdija espn.com left a game with a recurring back issue. For fantasy managers, emerging options are highlighted across the league, including players from the Clippers espn.com, Kings, and Jazz, while Zion Williamson is showing improved durability.
Power Rankings & Lottery Outlook
The post-All-Star break NBA Power Rankings espn.com are out, with analysts debating if the Timberwolves can rise. For the league's 10 worst teams, insiders broke down espn.com the key questions ahead of the draft, following a trade deadline that saw significant movement.
Miscellaneous Notes
The Golden State Warriors espn.com beat Denver despite Nikola Jokic's 35-point, 20-rebound triple-double. Trae Young espn.com made his emotional return to Atlanta as a visitor after being traded to Washington. Jusuf Nurkic espn.com will miss the rest of the season for Utah after nose surgery, and Shaedon Sharpe espn.com faces a 4-6 week re-evaluation for Portland with a stress reaction. The Lakers also unveiled a statue espn.com of former coach Pat Riley.