NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Player Injuries & Health Updates
Joel Embiid espn.com will miss at least three games with a strained right oblique, the 76ers announced Saturday. Lauri Markkanen espn.com faces a two-week absence after an MRI on his hip, sources told ESPN, marking another injury setback for the Jazz. Norman Powell espn.com has a Grade 1 right groin strain and will be out for at least a week, the Heat said Friday. The Cavaliers ruled out Donovan Mitchell espn.com and James Harden for their second straight game Friday, also sidelining Keon Ellis and Dean Wade.
Contract Moves & Team Updates
The Warriors signed Gui Santos espn.com to a three-year, $15 million contract extension Saturday, sources told ESPN. Mason Plumlee espn.com signed a deal with the Spurs for the remainder of the season, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN. The Suns waived Cole Anthony espn.com Friday, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania, after the guard didn't appear in any games since being acquired at the trade deadline.
On-Court Action & Controversies
Lu Dort espn.com was ejected from Friday's game after a flagrant foul 2 for appearing to trip Nikola Jokic, who called the play "an unnecessary move." The Celtics posted one of the best offensive performances espn.com in league history Friday night against the Nets. Friday's Pistons-Cavaliers game was delayed 18 minutes in the third quarter by a blaring horn after a power surge caused the overhead scoreboard to malfunction. Anthony Edwards espn.com and Desmond Bane each received $25,000 fines for throwing the ball into the stands in recent games.
Records & Milestones
Kon Knueppel espn.com broke Keegan Murray's NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th on Thursday night against the Pacers. The Pistons faced a shell of the defending champion Thunder on Wednesday night in what could have been an NBA Finals preview, with Oklahoma City's top six scorers sidelined due to injuries.
Off-Court News
Banned NBA player Jontay Porter espn.com is planning to play for an upstart pro basketball league's Super Hawks after being banned for life in 2024 for gambling. Chris Bosh espn.com said he's "lucky to be alive" after a recent health scare that left him waking up "covered in my own blood." The NBA awards race sees Cade Cunningham espn.com and Victor Wembanyama as top MVP contenders according to Andre Snellings' analysis.
The Lakers face a crucial stretch with Deandre Ayton espn.com as they determine if he'll accept the role they desperately need him to play. Eric Karabell forecasts notable players like Julius Randle espn.com finishing in the top 10 and Tyrese Haliburton cracking the top 50 in upcoming rankings.