NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×On-Court Incidents
Jokic espn.com angrily confronted Thunder guard Lu Dort after he was called for a flagrant foul 2 and ejected from Friday night's game. The Nuggets star called Dort's play "an unnecessary move" after it appeared Dort tripped him. Edwards espn.com and Bane were each fined $25,000 by the NBA for throwing balls into the stands in recent games. A blaring horn espn.com caused an 18-minute delay during Friday's Pistons-Cavs game after a power surge caused the overhead scoreboard to malfunction.
Injury Updates
Jazz forward Markkanen espn.com will be reevaluated in two weeks after an MRI on his hip, joining a growing list of sidelined Utah players. The Cavs espn.com ruled out All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden for their second straight game against the Pistons, along with Keon Ellis and Dean Wade. Heat guard Powell espn.com will miss at least a week with a Grade 1 right groin strain, the team announced. Harden suffered a non-displaced fracture espn.com in his right thumb during Tuesday's game against the Knicks, causing him to miss Wednesday's matchup with Milwaukee.
Notable Performances
The Celtics espn.com delivered one of the best offensive performances in league history against the Nets on Friday night. Knueppel espn.com broke Keegan Murray's NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th on Thursday night against the Pacers. The Pistons espn.com faced a depleted Thunder squad on Wednesday night, with OKC's top six scorers all hurt in what was possibly an NBA Finals preview.
Transactions & Roster Moves
Suns espn.com waived Cole Anthony three weeks after acquiring him at the NBA trade deadline, with the guard not appearing in any games for Phoenix. Spurs espn.com signed Mason Plumlee for the remainder of the season, according to his agent Mark Bartelstein. Lakers espn.com added former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as an NBA draft adviser to president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka. Jontay Porter espn.com, banned for life by the NBA for gambling, is planning to play for the USBL's Super Hawks.
NBA News & Analysis
Suns owner Ishbia espn.com is offering a $1 million prize to winners of All-Star Weekend contests to entice more star participation when Phoenix hosts next year. The Lakers espn.com are facing a crucial decision regarding Deandre Ayton as they approach the most important stretch of the season. NBA awards espn.com race predictions suggest focusing on the MVP category while avoiding other bets. Fantasy analysts are noting Williamson's espn.com improved durability as a positive development for his fantasy value.