NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×On-Court Action
Nikola Jokic espn.com confronted Lu Dort after the Thunder guard was ejected for a flagrant foul, with Jokic calling the play "an unnecessary move." The Celtics espn.com posted one of the best offensive performances in league history against the Nets on Friday night. A power surge caused an 18-minute delay in the Pistons-Cavs espn.com game when the overhead scoreboard malfunctioned.
Injury Updates
Lauri Markkanen espn.com will miss at least two weeks after suffering a hip injury, becoming the latest Jazz player sidelined. Cole Anthony espn.com was waived by the Suns just three weeks after being acquired at the trade deadline. The Cavs espn.com ruled out Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Keon Ellis, and Dean Wade for Friday's game against the Pistons. Norman Powell espn.com has a Grade 1 groin strain and will miss at least a week for the Heat.
Roster Moves
The Spurs espn.com signed Mason Plumlee for the remainder of the season. Kon Knueppel espn.com broke the NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th in just 59 games. The Lakers espn.com added former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as an NBA draft adviser to Rob Pelinka.
Disciplinary Actions
Anthony Edwards espn.com and Desmond Bane were each fined $25,000 for throwing the ball into the stands during recent games. The NBA espn.com banned Jontay Porter for life in 2024 for gambling violations, but he's now planning to play for the upstart USBL's Super Hawks.
Player Health & Safety
Chris Bosh espn.com revealed he's "lucky to be alive" after a recent health scare that left him waking up "covered in my own blood." James Harden espn.com sat out Wednesday's game against Milwaukee after X-rays showed a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb.
Team Performance
The Thunder espn.com lost to Detroit while playing without their top six scorers. The Cavs faced the Pistons without All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden for the second straight game. Julius Randle espn.com is projected to finish in the top, while Tyrese Haliburton could reach the top 50 in season-end rankings.
Awards & Recognition
Scottie Barnes espn.com and Victor Wembanyama are emerging as top MVP candidates according to recent analysis. Mat Ishbia espn.com is offering $1 million to winners of All-Star Weekend events when Phoenix hosts next year to attract more star participation.
Strategic Analysis
The Lakers espn.com face a crucial decision with Deandre Ayton as they enter the most important stretch of the season, needing him to accept a specific role for their success.