Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry will miss at least another 10 days of NBA action due to a persistent right knee injury.
The extended absence means the two-time Most Valuable Player will miss a minimum of five additional matches for his struggling side.
He has already been sidelined for 15 consecutive fixtures with patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly referred to as runner’s knee.
The condition typically causes significant swelling and discomfort around the kneecap.
‘Unpredictable’ recovery process
The veteran guard recently progressed to on-court activities, marking a crucial milestone in his rehabilitation.
Team sources indicate the four-time NBA champion remains extremely motivated to return and help secure a post-season berth for his franchise.
However, the prolific scorer has previously described the ongoing issue as unpredictable after experiencing frustrating setbacks.
The right knee problem initially emerged during an individual workout session in Minneapolis on 24 January.
Warriors fighting for play-in spot
Golden State are currently enduring a difficult run of form, having suffered three consecutive defeats.
Recent back-to-back losses against the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz have dropped their season record to 32 wins and 33 losses.
They have subsequently slipped below the Los Angeles Clippers into the Western Conference’s ninth seed.
The San Francisco-based outfit now look increasingly destined to face the Portland Trail Blazers in a crucial nine-versus-ten play-in tournament fixture.
Upcoming absences
The team captain will be unavailable for Friday’s home encounter with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He is also definitively ruled out of next week’s testing four-game road trip across the country.
The challenging travel schedule features away clashes against the New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander converted a dramatic three-pointer in the dying seconds to secure a thrilling victory for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Denver Nuggets.
The Canadian point guard delivered when it mattered most to cap off a tense battle between two Western Conference heavyweights.
With the game hanging in the balance, the MVP candidate isolated his defender before stepping back to drain the decisive shot.
Clutch moment defines Western Conference clash
This latest game-winner further cements the Thunder talisman’s reputation as one of the most reliable clutch performers in the league this season.
Oklahoma City have established themselves as formidable contenders in the West, largely driven by the consistent brilliance of their star playmaker.
Denver had fought hard to stay within striking distance throughout a contest that showcased the elite quality of both rosters.
Thunder build momentum for playoff push
Defeating the reigning NBA champions on their own terms serves as a significant statement of intent for this youthful Oklahoma City squad.
The Nuggets will undoubtedly rue the defensive lapses on the final possession that allowed such a dangerous shooter the necessary space to operate.
Both franchises are currently jockeying for optimal playoff seeding as the regular season reaches its critical final stages.
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo has scored the second-most points in a single game in NBA history, dropping 83 points during a 150-129 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.
The All-Star big man delivered an unprecedented performance, surpassing Kobe Bryant’s legendary 81-point game from 2006 to sit strictly behind Wilt Chamberlain in the all-time record books.
He shot 20 of 43 from the field, including seven three-pointers, and converted an extraordinary 36 of 43 free-throw attempts.
Chasing Chamberlain’s legendary century
Chamberlain’s iconic 100-point benchmark, set on 3 March 1962, has stood unchallenged for over six decades as the pinnacle of individual basketball achievement.
By combining at least 20 field goals and 25 free throws, the Miami talisman became the first player since Chamberlain to reach those specific statistical milestones in a single fixture.
The Washington defence had no answer for his versatile offensive skill set, routinely sending him to the foul line where he capitalised with clinical precision.
Surpassing Bryant’s modern milestone
For nearly two decades, basketball fans considered Bryant’s 81-point masterclass against the Toronto Raptors as the modern era’s unbreakable scoring record.
This phenomenal offensive explosion fundamentally alters the historical landscape of the league, cementing the American international’s legacy among the absolute greatest individual performances ever witnessed.
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has separated from his fiancée and entered a legal custody battle over their two young daughters.
The 27-year-old Slovenian confirmed the split from long-term partner Anamaria Goltes in a statement, citing difficulties in bringing his family to the United States during the basketball season.
“I love my daughters more than anything and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” Doncic said.
“Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”
Legal proceedings begin in California
Goltes recently filed a petition in California seeking child support and attorney fees, a legal move the former Dallas Mavericks guard was reportedly unaware of.
Sources indicate the Los Angeles playmaker has consistently provided for his family financially since signing a three-year, $165m contract extension in August.
In response to the escalating situation, the basketball superstar filed an interim injunction with Slovenian courts on 26 February to establish immediate contact with his children.
He has reportedly not seen his daughters, Gabriela and Olivia, since a tense overseas visit late last year.
Police called during maternity ward visit
The couple welcomed their second child in Slovenia during December, prompting the player to miss consecutive games against the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics to travel back to Europe.
A dispute ensued at Kranj Maternity Hospital when the high-scoring guard expressed a desire to bring his eldest daughter back to America.
Police were called to the medical facility by Goltes, but responding officers later confirmed that no criminal offenses or misdemeanors had taken place.
Following the incident, the player left peacefully and flew back to the United States on the same day.
“I was there for the birth of my daughter, so that means everything to me, but it was definitely a roller coaster,” he remarked upon returning to his team.
Speculation regarding the couple’s relationship status had intensified in recent weeks after all photographs of the pair were deleted from Goltes’ social media accounts.
The WNBA and its players union exchanged new collective bargaining proposals over the weekend, but remain without an agreement ahead of Tuesday’s crucial deadline to protect the 2026 season schedule.
Nearly 18 months of negotiations have yet to produce a new deal for the league.
League officials previously informed the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) that an agreement must be reached by March 10 to avoid delaying the upcoming campaign.
Union questions pressure tactics
The players’ union has viewed the Tuesday cut-off as a negotiation tactic designed to force their hand.
Conversely, executives point to the severe revenue losses that both the organisation and individual franchises would face if the season is postponed.
With just 59 days until the scheduled May 8 tip-off, both sides swapped formal documents on Friday and Saturday evening.
Players demand in-person negotiations
High-profile figures within the sport are now calling for a physical meeting to resolve the outstanding issues.
Speaking at a USA Basketball camp in Miami, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark expressed frustration at the standoff.
“I don’t understand why we don’t just get in a room and iron it out and shake hands,” Clark said.
“That’s how business is. You look each other in the eye, you shake hands, you respect both sides. For me, that’s what I would love to see.”
Stewart seeks immediate resolution
WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart echoed those sentiments, suggesting athletes are prepared for marathon talks.
“I think that would be great for us all to sit in a room until we really get it done,” the two-time WNBA champion said.
“If that means sitting in there for hours and hours at a time, let’s do it. That’s for the better of the player.”
Revenue sharing remains primary hurdle
The exact contents of the latest weekend proposals have not been leaked, hinting at the high-stakes nature of the current phase.
Historically, overall compensation and the equitable distribution of league income have been the most significant dividing lines between the two parties.
Previous offers showed a massive gap regarding revenue sharing and salary cap calculations.
The league recently proposed an average player share of over 70% of net revenue, alongside a significant salary cap increase to $5.75m for the 2026 season.
The UConn Huskies secured their 31st Big East tournament title with a dominant 90-51 victory over Villanova in Uncasville on Monday, moving just six wins away from a 13th NCAA championship and a seventh perfect season.
The reigning national champions now boast a flawless 34-0 record and a remarkable 50-game winning streak.
This latest triumph at the Mohegan Sun Arena marks their 12th consecutive conference tournament crown.
“There’s pressure everywhere you turn. It’s never as easy as it’s sometimes looked.”
Veteran coach Geno Auriemma admitted the weight of expectation remains heavy despite their sustained dominance.
Life after Bueckers
Many expected a slight decline in performance following the departure of Paige Bueckers to the professional ranks.
The standout guard went on to claim the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year award after leading her college side to a 37-3 record last season.
However, the current undefeated squad are statistically outperforming last year’s vintage.
“I don’t know how you can take one of the top players in the WNBA off your team and say you’re better.”
Auriemma was quick to caution observers when asked to compare the two formidable rosters.
“Now that doesn’t mean they’re not capable of playing at a real high level that matches what that team did last year.”
Strong lives up to the hype
A significant factor in their continued success has been the emergence of former top recruit Sarah Strong.
The daughter of former WNBA player Allison Feaster arrived in college with monumental expectations but has effortlessly lived up to her billing.
She dominated the previous Final Four, registering a combined 46 points and 23 rebounds in high-stakes victories against UCLA and South Carolina.
Following that 82-59 final defeat, Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley suggested the young prodigy could eventually become the greatest player in Connecticut history.
Focus shifts to national glory
Despite the confetti falling over the court, celebrations remained notably subdued among the players.
National championships remain the ultimate standard for the Storrs-based program, who refuse to cut down the nets for regional triumphs.
“Our work isn’t done yet.”
This was the blunt assessment from senior guard Azzi Fudd as the team immediately shifted their focus towards the upcoming playoffs.
Jalen Smith has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bribery charges in Philadelphia after operating as a central fixer in a widespread NCAA basketball point-shaving scheme.
The Charlotte native appeared in federal court on Monday to admit his role in orchestrating rigged college matches during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
Prosecutors revealed the trainer used his professional scouting connections to recruit athletes with the promise of substantial cash payments in exchange for purposefully underperforming.
After securing agreements from the corrupted athletes, the scheme’s organisers would then place lucrative wagers against those compromised teams to defraud legitimate sportsbooks.
Sweeping federal investigation
Federal authorities unsealed charges against the North Carolina resident in January alongside 25 other individuals embroiled in the sprawling scandal.
This extensive group of indicted figures included 17 former college basketball players alongside four individuals who were still active on collegiate rosters this season.
More than a dozen athletes actively attempted to manipulate game outcomes as recently as last year, with some even assisting in the recruitment of their peers.
Cash deliveries and wire fraud
To avoid detection by financial institutions, the orchestrator frequently travelled across the country to meet corrupted players and deliver their illicit payments by hand.
This guilty plea represents a significant milestone in an ongoing federal crackdown aimed at preserving the integrity of American collegiate athletics.
Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic has dismissed speculation about his basketball future by declaring his intention to spend the rest of his career with the Denver Nuggets.
The 6ft 11in center recently appeared on the Serbian podcast X&O’s CHAT to discuss his long-term plans on the court.
Despite his relaxed demeanour occasionally prompting rumours of an early exit from the sport, the eight-time All-Star insists he is far from finished.
“I want to play as long as I can,” stated the 2023 NBA champion.
“As long as I’m creating an advantage and I can play at the highest level.”
Finding peace in Colorado
Drafted 41st overall in 2014, the Sombor native has transformed into the focal point of the Denver offence and revolutionized the modern big man role.
He unequivocally rejected the idea of ever representing another franchise in the world’s premier basketball competition.
“I wouldn’t like to imagine that,” he explained when questioned about donning a different jersey.
“I really found peace here. My two kids were born here. Everyone’s here. Peace, home, I found my life here.”
The elite playmaker is currently averaging a triple-double, posting 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game this season.
Defending the NBA standard
Before making the leap to North America, the Serbian prodigy spent three seasons with Mega Vizura and captured the Adriatic League MVP award.
However, he possesses no desire to return to European competition for a career swansong.
“No. Nothing against EuroLeague or Europe, but I would not do it,” he confirmed.
The franchise cornerstone also took the opportunity to fiercely defend the defensive standards of the American league against its international critics.
“NBA is by far the best league in the world, with the best players,” he added.
He highlighted the scoring exploits of Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic in international tournaments to prove that scoring in America is no easier than overseas.