NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates
Stephen Curry espn.com will sit out at least five more games due to his persistent right knee issue, the Warriors announced Sunday. Joel Embiid espn.com will miss at least three games with a strained right oblique, the 76ers said Saturday. Lauri Markkanen espn.com will be reevaluated in two weeks after an MRI on his hip, sources told ESPN, making him the latest Utah player sidelined by injury. Norman Powell espn.com has a Grade 1 right groin strain and will be out at least a week, the Heat said Friday. Donovan Mitchell espn.com and James Harden espn.com each missed their second straight game Friday for the Cavs, who also ruled out Keon Ellis and Dean Wade.
Player Returns & Performances
James Harden, still dealing with a broken thumb in his non-shooting hand, made a successful return for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Zach Edey espn.com is set to undergo another surgery on his ailing left ankle, with his return to be determined. Zion Williamson espn.com "tweaked his ankle" and was forced to leave Saturday's win over the Jazz in the second quarter. Kristaps Porzingis espn.com will miss a fourth straight game due to general illness.
Contract Moves
The Warriors signed starting forward Gui Santos espn.com to a three-year, $15 million contract extension on Saturday, sources told ESPN. Mason Plumlee espn.com has signed a deal with the San Antonio Spurs for the remainder of the season, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN. Cole Anthony espn.com was waived Friday by the Suns, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania, after the guard did not appear in any games since being acquired at the NBA trade deadline.
Notable Games & Records
The Celtics 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. The Knicks held a streaking Spurs team to just 89 points in a dominant showing Sunday. Friday night's game between the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers was delayed for 18 minutes in the third quarter by a blaring horn after a power surge caused the overhead scoreboard to malfunction.
Milestone Moments
LeBron James espn.com achieved a successful father-daughter road trip with his latest win. Tyrese Haliburton espn.com, born on leap year, shared appreciation for birthday wishes, noting it's "just as good" when it's not technically his birthday. Nikola Jokic espn.com angrily confronted Thunder guard Lu Dort after Dort was called for a flagrant foul 2 and ejected for appearing to trip the Nuggets star, who called the play "an unnecessary move."
Future Outlook
Warriors coach Steve Kerr walked back comments on Porzingis' diagnosis. Erik Spoelstra espn.com said it would be "incredible" to think of Kevin Durant on the 2028 Olympic team if Durant still wants to play. Andre Snellings espn.com looks at the NBA awards races and explains which ones to bet on, and which to avoid entirely.