NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Player Health & Injuries
James Harden espn.com made a successful return for the Cavaliers on Sunday despite dealing with a broken thumb in his non-shooting hand. Stephen Curry espn.com will sit out at least the next five games due to his persistent right knee issue, while Kristaps Porzingis espn.com missed a fourth straight game for the Warriors due to general illness. Joel Embiid espn.com will miss at least three games for the 76ers because of a strained right oblique, and Zion Williamson espn.com "tweaked his ankle" and left Saturday's win over the Jazz in the second quarter. Lauri Markkanen espn.com will be reevaluated in two weeks after an MRI on his hip, making him the latest Jazz player sidelined by injury. Norman Powell espn.com has a Grade 1 right groin strain and will be out for at least a week, the Heat announced Friday.
Contract Extensions & Roster Moves
The Warriors signed Gui Santos espn.com to a three-year, $15 million contract extension on Saturday, sources told ESPN. The Spurs signed Mason Plumlee espn.com to a deal for the remainder of the season, while the Suns waived Cole Anthony espn.com three weeks after acquiring him at the trade deadline. Kon Knueppel espn.com broke Keegan Murray's NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th on Thursday night against the Pacers.
Game Results & Performances
The Knicks ended the Spurs' streak espn.com with a dominant defensive showing, holding the streaking team to just 89 points on Sunday. The Celtics posted one of the best offensive performances espn.com in league history on Friday night against the Nets. Friday's game between the Pistons and Cavaliers was delayed for 18 minutes in the third quarter by a blaring horn after a power surge caused the overhead scoreboard to malfunction.
Notable Incidents & Comments
Thunder guard Lu Dort was called for a flagrant foul 2 and ejected from Friday night's game after appearing to trip Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, who called the play "an unnecessary move." Warriors coach Steve Kerr walked back comments on Porzingis' diagnosis. Erik Spoelstra said it would be "incredible" to think of Kevin Durant on the 2028 Olympic team if Durant still wants to play.
Other Notable News
LeBron James' latest achievement in his 23-year career was a successful father-daughter road trip. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has spoken about being born on a leap year, sharing that it's "just as good" when it's not technically his birthday. Grizzlies second-year center Zach Edey is set to undergo another surgery on his ailing left ankle, with his return to be determined. The Cavaliers ruled out All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, along with Keon Ellis and Dean Wade, for Friday's game against the Pistons.