NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Player Moves & Transactions
Former Virginia coach Tony Bennett espn.com joined the Lakers as NBA draft adviser to Rob Pelinka. Jontay Porter espn.com, banned for life by the NBA for gambling in 2024, is planning to play for an upstart pro basketball league's Super Hawks. The Cavaliers ruled out James Harden espn.com for Wednesday's game after he suffered a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb.
Team Updates & Injuries
The Hawks' Jalen Johnson espn.com played only 5½ minutes before leaving Tuesday's win over the Wizards with a left hip flexor injury. Shaedon Sharpe espn.com was diagnosed with a stress reaction of the left fibula and will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks. The Bulls' Anfernee Simons espn.com aggravated a fractured left wrist and the team did not offer a timeline for his return.
Performance & Game Results
Russell Westbrook espn.com scored 25 points as the Kings snapped a 16-game losing streak with a 123-114 victory over the Grizzlies. The Spurs won their ninth straight game, beating the Pistons in what could be a potential NBA Finals preview. The Lakers lost to the Magic 110-109 after a botched sidelines out-of-bounds play between Le Bron James espn.com and Luka Doncic in the final seconds failed to produce a quality shot.
Notable Returns & Debuts
The Pelicans raved over Dejounte Murray espn.com's return to action Tuesday, when he scored 13 points in his comeback from a ruptured right Achilles tendon. Jonathan Kuminga espn.com, after months of riding the bench in Golden State, shined in his debut for the Hawks. Coby White espn.com is set to make his Charlotte Hornets debut on Tuesday night against his former Bulls team.
Management & Coaching
New Lakers president Lon Rosen espn.com made it clear that GM Rob Pelinka will remain in his role and be flanked by Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi. The Hawks have removed former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher espn.com from the starting lineup in favor of veteran CJ Mc Collum. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle espn.com said the NBA did not speak with team doctors or players before issuing a $100K fine for violating the league's player participation policy.
Awards & Recognition
Suns owner Mat Ishbia espn.com wants more star players participating in All-Star Weekend events when Phoenix hosts next year and is hoping to entice them by offering a $1 million prize to the winners. Le Bron James espn.com endorsed Jaylen Brown in the MVP conversation after he fueled the Celtics' win over the Lakers on Sunday.
League News & Developments
The NBA fined Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. espn.com and Miami Heat forward Myron Gardner $35,000 each for their scuffle in a game over the weekend. Jusuf Nurkic espn.com will undergo nose surgery this week and sit out the rest of the season. The Cavaliers' Kenny Atkinson espn.com noted the "renewed confidence" the addition of James Harden has brought to his team.
Upcoming Events & Future Plans
Kevin Durant espn.com told ESPN that he plans to play in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. With Los Angeles 2028 up next on the Olympic calendar, USA Basketball espn.com faces a new era with new coaching decisions ahead. The odds to win the NBA's regular-season MVP have tightened, with the top two betting favorites at risk of not qualifying for the award.
Special Features & Stories
In late 2002, Nike began creating a global campaign featuring the black mamba -- and presented it to an NBA superstar. That star was not Kobe Bryant espn.com. Hall of Fame finalist Marques Johnson espn.com celebrated another year with his annual birthday dunk.