NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates
Nuggets star Jamal Murray espn.com is considered day to day after leaving Friday's loss to the Knicks with an ankle injury, sources told ESPN. The Lakers downgraded LeBron James espn.com from questionable to out before Sunday's game against the Knicks. 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 team announced.
Player Returns and Debuts
Kristaps Porzingis espn.com, playing in just his second game for the Warriors after recovering from another bout of illness, says he feels healthy and ready to play consistently again. Trae Young espn.com proved in his Wizards debut that he is the type of player the team hasn't had since John Wall, thrilling the D.C. crowd with 12 points. Cooper Flagg espn.com returned to the Mavericks' lineup Thursday night after missing eight games due to a left midfoot sprain and had 18 points and six assists.
Game Highlights
Victor Wembanyama espn.com said he had "zero left" physically but was all smiles after the Spurs overcame a 25-point deficit to stun the Clippers 116-112. In the hours leading up to the Warriors' overtime win in Houston on Thursday night, their absent superstar, Stephen Curry, sent their remaining big name, Draymond Green, a text message of encouragement. Pistons forward Ausar Thompson espn.com left Thursday's loss to the Spurs in the first quarter and didn't return because of a sprained right ankle.
Notable Absences
The Lakers will be without LeBron James espn.com and two of their big men in Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber on Friday against the Pacers, the team announced. Grizzlies guard Ja Morant espn.com will miss at least two more weeks as he continues to recover from a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. Deandre Ayton espn.com left Thursday night's loss to the Nuggets with a knee injury, while LeBron James complained of a sore elbow afterward and said he wasn't sure of his status for Friday's game.