NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates
Victor Wembanyama espn.com showed incredible resilience despite being physically exhausted after leading the Spurs to a stunning comeback victory over the Clippers. The rookie sensation tallied 25 points in the rally as San Antonio overcame a 25-point deficit to win 116-112.
Nuggets star Jamal Murray espn.com left Friday night's game against the Knicks with an ankle injury and is scheduled for further testing on Saturday. Meanwhile, Celtics center Nikola Vucevic espn.com underwent surgery to repair a fractured ring finger on his right hand and will be reevaluated in three to four weeks.
The Lakers will be without LeBron James espn.com and two big men in Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber for their game against the Pacers. Ayton previously left a game against the Nuggets with a knee injury, while James is dealing with a sore elbow. Pistons forward Ausar Thompson espn.com also exited early Thursday's loss to the Spurs with a sprained right ankle and did not return.
Game Highlights
Stephen Curry espn.com sent a message of encouragement to Draymond Green before the Warriors' overtime victory in Houston, telling him to "keep going." The Warriors needed the boost as they continue to play without their superstar. Trae Young espn.com dazzled the Washington crowd in his debut with the Wizards, showing flashes of the playmaking ability reminiscent of John Wall's era in D.C.
Cooper Flagg espn.com returned to the Mavericks' lineup after missing eight games with a left midfoot sprain and contributed 18 points and six assists, though his return was spoiled by a late Magic rally in a 115-114 loss.
League Notes
Ja Morant espn.com will miss at least two more weeks as he continues recovering from a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis espn.com remains sidelined by a "mysterious" illness just weeks after the Warriors traded for him, creating uncertainty about his availability for the remainder of the season.
Knicks coach Mike Brown espn.com praised Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to influence referees, calling him "probably better than anybody in the league" at convincing officials he's being fouled. In other news, free agent Malik Beasley espn.com was ordered to pay $1 million to his former agency in a contract dispute after a federal judge in New York issued the civil judgment.