NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates
Zion Williamson espn.com tweaked his ankle and was forced to leave Saturday's win over the Jazz in the second quarter. Stephen Curry espn.com continues to rehab his persistent right knee issues, acknowledging he'll be out a "little longer" as he hasn't advanced to court work yet. Joel Embiid espn.com will miss at least three games due to a strained right oblique, further impacting the 76ers' season. Lauri Markkanen espn.com will be reevaluated in two weeks after an MRI on his hip, making him the latest Utah player to be sidelined. Norman Powell espn.com has a Grade 1 right groin strain and will be out for at least a week.
Transactions & Roster Moves
The Warriors espn.com signed starting forward Gui Santos to a three-year, $15 million contract extension on Saturday. Meanwhile, the 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 the team. Mason Plumlee espn.com has signed a deal with the San Antonio Spurs for the remainder of the season.
Game Highlights & Incidents
Nikola Jokic espn.com angrily confronted Lu Dort after the Thunder guard was called for a flagrant foul 2 and ejected from Friday night's game for what Jokic called "an unnecessary move" that appeared to trip him. The Celtics espn.com posted one of the best offensive performances in league history on Friday night against the Nets. Kon Knueppel espn.com broke Keegan Murray's NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th on Thursday night against the Pacers. Friday night's game between the Pistons and Cavaliers espn.com was delayed for 18 minutes in the third quarter by a blaring horn after a power surge caused the overhead scoreboard to malfunction.
League News & Analysis
Erik Spoelstra espn.com commented it would be "incredible" to think of Kevin Durant on the 2028 Olympic team if Durant still wants to play. Anthony Edwards and Desmond Bane espn.com were each fined $25,000 for throwing the ball into the stands in recent games. Chris Bosh espn.com revealed he's "lucky to be alive" after a recent health scare that resulted in him waking up "covered in my own blood." The Lakers espn.com face a crucial decision regarding Deandre Ayton with high stakes for both sides as they enter the most crucial stretch of the season.