Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb.
The 10-time NBA All-Star sustained the injury during Tuesday’s encounter with the New York Knicks.
X-rays taken the following morning confirmed the damage to the veteran’s hand.
Despite the diagnosis, the Cavaliers have listed him as questionable for their immediate fixture against the Milwaukee Bucks.
He is set to undergo further treatment and evaluation before the team makes a definitive decision on his long-term availability.
Impact since trade deadline move
The former MVP arrived in Ohio from the Los Angeles Clippers via a trade on 3 February.
Since making the switch to the Eastern Conference, he has averaged 18.9 points, eight rebounds and 4.6 assists across seven appearances.
Prior to his departure from Los Angeles, the 35-year-old was recording 25.1 points and 8.1 rebounds in 44 games this season.
NBA MVP favourites Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are facing the risk of ineligibility for the award as both stars edge closer to the league’s missed-games threshold.
The race for the regular-season honour has tightened significantly in recent weeks due to the uncertainty surrounding the availability of the leading contenders.
Under current NBA regulations, players are prohibited from qualifying for major postseason awards if they miss more than 17 games during the campaign.
Fitness struggles impacting odds
Gilgeous-Alexander remains the consensus betting favourite but was ruled out of Wednesday’s fixture against the Detroit Pistons.
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard is recovering from an abdominal strain that has kept him sidelined since early February.
Having now missed 11 games, the Canadian international must appear in at least 16 of Oklahoma City’s final 22 matches to remain eligible for a second consecutive MVP title.
The situation is even more precarious for Nikola Jokic.
Denver’s Serbian centre has already missed 16 games this season.
Should the former MVP sit out just two more contests, he will be mathematically eliminated from contention regardless of his statistical dominance.
Market shifts towards Cunningham
The potential disqualification of the frontrunners has driven significant betting interest toward Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham.
Over the last week, Cunningham has attracted more MVP bets at major sportsbooks than all other players combined.
His odds have shortened dramatically, moving from 14-1 to 9-2 as punters look for viable alternatives to the questionable favourites.
San Antonio Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama is also hovering near the danger zone.
The French prodigy has missed 14 games and faces a tight schedule to meet the league’s mandatory participation criteria.
Despite the eligibility concerns, a recent straw poll conducted by ESPN indicated that Gilgeous-Alexander remains the clear choice among media voters, provided he meets the threshold.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a dramatic 110-109 defeat by the Orlando Magic after Luka Doncic and LeBron James failed to execute on the final possession.
Orlando took a one-point lead with just 6.7 seconds remaining following a putback from center Wendell Carter Jr.
James found Doncic in space on the left wing following a timeout, but the guard declined the open three-pointer.
Instead of shooting, the Slovenian attempted to drive and was immediately double-teamed by the Magic defence.
Doncic was forced to pivot and return the ball to James, who missed an off-balance 27-foot effort as the buzzer sounded.
‘That is on me’
The disjointed final play capped a frustrating night for the Lakers, who had earlier surrendered a 12-point second-half lead.
Doncic, who struggled from the field shooting just 8-for-24, admitted he misjudged the situation.
“I know I was open, but I just thought I was a little bit far,” said Doncic.
“I tried to take one dribble closer and I probably shouldn’t have picked up the ball and just tried to attack.”
When asked if he realised the clock situation, the former Dallas star acknowledged his hesitation proved costly.
“I think I thought it was more time,” he added.
“It was enough time to get a better look, try to drive the ball, so that’s why I picked [up my dribble]. That’s on me.”
James offers support despite defeat
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, was left to take a desperate fadeaway shot after the play broke down.
Despite the confusion, the 39-year-old believed his team-mate initially had the opportunity to win the game.
“I thought he had a good look, and it looked like he kind of just lost his balance,” said James.
“I didn’t have a rhythm with the ball, whatever the case may be. And it kind of allowed [Orlando’s defense] to get back in front of him.”
The loss marks a significant statistical shift for Los Angeles.
It is the first time this season the franchise has lost when leading after three quarters, ending a 25-0 run in such scenarios.
The result leaves the Lakers with a 4-4 record on their eight-game homestand.
They now face a challenging road trip, beginning with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday followed by a visit to the Golden State Warriors.
Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel has become the fastest player in NBA history to reach 200 three-pointers during a dominant 131-99 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
The 20-year-old American scored 21 points, including three shots from beyond the arc, to help condemn the hosts to a 10th consecutive defeat.
Knueppel achieved the milestone in just his 58th career game, surpassing the previous pace set in the league.
Brandon Miller also contributed significantly with 23 points as the visitors secured their eighth straight win on the road.
Chasing rookie history
The former Duke Blue Devils standout is now closing in on the all-time rookie record for threes in a single season.
With a league-leading 201 made three-pointers, the fourth overall draft pick needs just six more to eclipse Keegan Murray’s tally of 206 set in the 2022-23 campaign.
His rapid ascent has drawn high praise from within the franchise.
“It is exciting and refreshing,” said Hornets head coach Charles Lee.
“It elevates our whole culture when you have a guy who is that good but that humble and has no ego, and it becomes contagious throughout the whole organisation.”
Harden shines for Cavaliers
Elsewhere, James Harden scored 20 points to guide the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 109-94 win against the New York Knicks.
The victory allowed Cleveland to draw level with the Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings on 37 wins and 22 losses.
Harden, an 11-time All-Star who joined from the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this month, is still seeking his first NBA championship at the age of 36.
“We’re working to build something special, and each game is an opportunity to get better,” said the veteran guard.
“Tonight was a good step for us.”
Celtics and Thunder secure wins
The Boston Celtics strengthened their grip on second place in the East with a comfortable 97-81 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers put 135 points past the Indiana Pacers, leaving last year’s finalists at the bottom of the conference.
In the West, conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Toronto Raptors 116-107.
The Orlando Magic edged the Los Angeles Lakers by a single point, 110-109, while the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Portland Trail Blazers in a high-scoring affair.
Kevin Durant has confirmed he wants to be considered for the United States team at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, despite approaching his 40th birthday when the Games commence.
The Phoenix Suns forward has officially communicated his interest to USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill regarding a potential fifth Olympic appearance.
Durant, the all-time leading scorer in US men’s Olympic history, helped secure a fourth consecutive gold medal at the Paris Games last summer.
"I didn’t want to just take my name out of consideration just because of the simple fact that I’m older and I did it before," said Durant.
"Grant understands my love for Team USA. That’s my family."
‘I have got my work cut out’
The two-time NBA champion will be 39 years old when the Olympic Games return to American soil in 2028.
Despite his legendary status within the international setup, the veteran forward insists he expects to earn his place on the squad on merit rather than reputation.
"The level of love I have for Team USA and the whole organisation over there is unmatched, so I’d love to be part of it until I’m done playing," he added.
"I understand how tough that decision is for Grant, and how many great players are going to emerge the next year and a half, and I’m also very old compared to a lot of these players."
"I know I’ve got my work cut out for me to make that team."
Chasing further glory
Durant became the first American male basketball player to win four Olympic gold medals following the victory in France in 2024.
However, he clarified that his motivation is not linked to matching the record of five golds held by women’s basketball icons Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird.
"I just love playing for Team USA. I love representing my country," he affirmed.
"That’s the first and most important thing – it’s putting that USA across my chest and representing where I come from."
Durant remains one of the league’s premier scorers in his 18th NBA season, currently averaging 25.9 points per game with 50.7% shooting accuracy.
Victor Wembanyama recorded 21 points and 17 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Detroit Pistons 114-103 to extend their winning streak to nine games.
Devin Vassell top-scored for the visitors with 28 points, but it was Wembanyama’s defensive presence that defined the contest in Detroit.
The French phenomenon added six blocks to his double-double performance.
San Antonio have now won a season-high nine consecutive matches.
They trail only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference standings.
Spurs stifle Eastern leaders
The Eastern Conference-leading Pistons saw their own five-game winning run come to an abrupt halt.
Detroit star Cade Cunningham endured a difficult evening against the Spurs’ length, missing 21 of his 26 attempts from the field.
Despite his shooting woes, the playmaker managed to contribute 16 points and 10 assists.
San Antonio established control early, racing to a 14-2 lead to silence the home crowd.
Although the hosts briefly rallied to lead by three, the visitors opened the fourth quarter with seven unanswered points to seal the result.
This victory marked the Spurs’ fifth win this season against teams holding the league’s best record at the time.
Tempers flare in Detroit
Tensions boiled over during the second quarter following an offensive foul call against Cunningham.
Spurs forward Keldon Johnson and Pistons center Jalen Duren were both issued technical fouls after a heated exchange.
Duren, returning from a two-game NBA suspension, led the home side with 25 points and 14 rebounds.
His frontcourt partner Isaiah Stewart remained unavailable as he continues to serve a suspension for a recent altercation in Charlotte.
The Pistons must now regroup quickly before hosting the Thunder on Wednesday in another high-profile test.
Duke have reclaimed the number one spot in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll following their victory over previous leaders Michigan.
The Blue Devils climbed two places to head Monday’s rankings, extending their own record to 148 appearances at the summit of the sport.
Jon Scheyer’s side secured 56 of the 61 first-place votes to overtake the Wolverines following Saturday’s 68-63 triumph in Washington.
It marks the second consecutive season the Durham-based programme has reached the pinnacle under their fourth-year head coach.
March Madness implications
The victory carried significant weight, featuring the top two sides in the NCAA selection committee’s preliminary top 16 seeds.
Duke boast a nation-leading 12 Quadrant 1 victories and have defeated nine opponents currently residing in the AP Top 25.
Last season’s Final Four participants have now returned to the top ranking for the first time since the 2023-24 campaign concluded.
Prior to Scheyer taking charge in 2022, the programme had been led for decades by retired Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Arizona rise as Michigan fall
Arizona moved up to second place after defeating BYU and securing a valuable road win at Houston.
The Wildcats collected the remaining five first-place votes to sit just behind the leaders.
Michigan’s first stint at number one since 2013 proved short-lived, with the Wolverines dropping to third after a single week.
Big 12 challengers Iowa State and Houston complete the top five.
Gators and Crimson Tide surge
Reigning national champions Florida vaulted five places to seventh, returning to the top 10 for the first time since November.
The Gators have found their rhythm, winning 12 of their last 13 contests including a current seven-game streak.
Alabama recorded the week’s most significant climb, jumping eight spots to 17th.
The Crimson Tide secured a double-overtime victory against Arkansas to extend their winning run to six games.
Meanwhile, UConn slipped to sixth following a home defeat by Creighton, while Purdue, Gonzaga and Illinois rounded out the top 10.
Kevin Durant has confirmed his intention to target a spot on the United States roster for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as the programme enters a significant period of transition.
The 37-year-old became the most decorated male basketball Olympian in history by claiming his fourth gold medal in Paris last summer.
Despite speculation that the 2024 Games marked the end of an era for the squad, the Phoenix Suns forward insists he is not ready to retire from international duty.
Durant disputes the suggestion that the Paris campaign was his final appearance for the national team.
“That narrative, where did the last dance thing come from?” Durant told ESPN.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t playing. LeBron [James] said he wasn’t. You didn’t hear that from me or Steph [Curry].”
Durant aims for home soil return
While Los Angeles Lakers superstar James has ruled himself out of the home Games, Durant remains emphatic about his potential involvement.
He acknowledges that he will be approaching 40 when the tournament begins but maintains his desire to compete if his performance levels remain elite.
“Hell yeah, I want to play,” Durant said.
“But I gotta stay on top of my game. I’m not expecting [a free pass]. I want to produce on the floor and make Grant [Hill] and whoever is making the decisions want to put me on the team.”
Durant emphasised that he does not want to be selected purely for seniority, but rather to prove he can still contribute to winning.
A new era under Spoelstra
The national programme faces a critical rebuilding phase ahead of hosting the Summer Olympics for the first time since 1996.
Managing director Grant Hill must navigate the departure of head coach Steve Kerr, with Miami Heat boss Erik Spoelstra set to take the reins.
Spoelstra served as an assistant during the nail-biting campaign in France, where the US survived scares against Serbia and the host nation to secure gold.
His prior experience on Kerr’s staff is expected to provide continuity in roster selection and tactical adjustments for the international game.
Rising global competition
The urgency for a strong transition is heightened by the rapidly closing gap between the United States and their international rivals.
France’s Victor Wembanyama and Serbia’s three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic are expected to lead formidable challenges in 2028.
Before focus turns fully to Los Angeles, the new coaching staff must navigate the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar.
Hill noted that his immediate priority is getting through that tournament, an event the Americans have failed to win since 2014.