NBA Basketball 8-Hour Briefing
×NBA News & Notes
Banned NBA player Jontay Porter is joining the USBL's Super Hawks, marking his first professional appearance since receiving a lifetime ban from the NBA in 2024 for gambling violations. The former Raptors forward is currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to related federal charges.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia is offering $1 million to winners of All-Star Weekend events when Phoenix hosts next year, hoping to boost star player participation in the festivities.
Team Moves
The Lakers have added former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as an NBA draft adviser to president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, bringing his college coaching expertise to the front office.
Injury Updates
Cavaliers guard James Harden suffered a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb and is out for Wednesday's game against the Bucks, dealing a blow to Cleveland's playoff push.
Awards Race
MVP odds have tightened significantly as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic face potential ineligibility, creating uncertainty in the race for the league's top individual honor.