Kristaps Porzingis faces an uncertain future with the Golden State Warriors after a persistent illness sidelined the centre following just one appearance for his new franchise.
The Latvian international arrived in the Bay Area via a trade on 4 February but has played only once since the move.
His solitary appearance came against his former side, the Boston Celtics, on 19 February.
Despite a promising debut, the 30-year-old has been unable to return to the court as he manages a complex medical condition.
Encouraging signs cut short
Porzingis displayed glimpses of his unique skillset during his brief cameo against the reigning NBA champions.
The 7ft 3in forward recorded a plus-15 rating in just under 10 minutes of play, hitting a long-range three-pointer and blocking shots.
His performance validated the Warriors’ decision to acquire him midseason, seeking size to bolster their frontcourt.
Stephen Curry, the franchise talisman, was immediate in his praise for the new arrival.
“[He brings] a size and presence we’ve been looking for a while.”
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors guard
However, the optimism was short-lived.
Porzingis was expected to feature against the Denver Nuggets three days later but fell ill in his hotel room and could not attend the arena.
Hopes of a return against the Los Angeles Lakers were also dashed as the player was ruled out again.
Battle with rare condition
The former All-Star’s absence is linked to a diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
Doctors from the Boston Celtics identified the autonomic condition last year, which can cause dizziness, rapid heart rate, and extreme fatigue.
Symptoms reportedly surfaced after the player contracted a virus more than 12 months ago.
Following his debut, Porzingis appeared visibly exhausted while speaking to the media, yawning uncontrollably despite apologising for the display.
“I felt all right. Far from being in perfect shape. But I think for [the] first game back after a while, getting some energy back, feeling good.”
Kristaps Porzingis, speaking after his Warriors debut
The “Unicorn” remains one of the NBA’s most effective players when healthy, significantly improving team net ratings during stints with the Celtics and Atlanta Hawks.
Yet durability remains a persistent concern for the veteran.
He has missed a combined 110 games over the past two-and-a-half seasons due to various ailments.
While the Warriors remain hopeful, no definitive timeline has been set for his return to rotation.
LeBron James has become the NBA’s all-time leader for field goals made, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing record during the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets.
The 39-year-old converted a turnaround baseline jump shot over forward Zeke Nnaji late in the first quarter to reach the historic milestone.
That basket was the 15,838th of his illustrious career, moving him one clear of fellow Lakers legend Abdul-Jabbar.
A relentless scoring machine
James had already overtaken the Hall of Fame centre as the league’s all-time leading scorer in February 2023.
Since breaking that record with a step-back jumper two seasons ago, the forward has pushed his career total beyond 43,000 points.
Earlier in the current campaign, he also became only the second player in franchise history, alongside Kobe Bryant, to record 1,000 three-pointers for the team.
He also recently passed Michael Cooper to move into fifth place on the club’s all-time assists list.
‘His greatest hits are insane’
Speaking before the game in Denver, Lakers head coach JJ Redick compared the longevity and output of his star player to rock icon Bruce Springsteen.
“I’m a big Bruce Springsteen fan… LeBron’s greatest hits, he just keeps adding to them,” said Redick.
“He just plays and plays and plays. And the greatest hits are just… he’s got a hell of a catalogue.”
Closing in on games record
With the scoring and field goal records now secured, the four-time MVP is approaching another significant durability milestone.
James is currently second on the all-time list for games played with 1,606 appearances.
He trails Robert Parish’s record of 1,611 and is on pace to surpass the former Boston Celtics centre on 16 March against the Houston Rockets.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is expected to make his long-awaited season debut against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday following a 10-month injury absence.
The 28-year-old has been sidelined since tearing his right Achilles tendon during the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the New York Knicks last season.
Sources indicate the six-time All-Star is now physically ready to play and will inform the franchise of his final decision ahead of the game at TD Garden.
Tatum underwent surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery less than 24 hours after sustaining the damage in Game 4 of that series.
A different Boston landscape
Despite missing their talisman, the Celtics have remained highly competitive and currently sit second in the Eastern Conference standings.
Much of that success is attributed to Jaylen Brown, who has thrust himself into the MVP conversation while leading the charge for Joe Mazzulla’s side.
The team has also received significant contributions from 2024 title winners Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
This resilience has validated Mazzulla’s strategy, which shifted following the off-season departures of veterans Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford.
“I may have to coach completely differently than the year before,” Mazzulla said in October.
“In years past, you had an older, more experienced roster, four or five All-Stars on the team together. So your process is different.”
Schedule favours recovery
The focus now shifts to reintegrating the five-time All-NBA selection into a roster that has seen young talents like Neemias Queta and rookie Hugo Gonzalez step up.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist is likely to face a minutes restriction as he rebuilds his match fitness after nearly a year away from the court.
Boston’s immediate schedule aids this process, with no back-to-back fixtures on the docket for the next 12 games.
This favourable run offers the forward a chance to build consistency before the Celtics launch another bid to emerge from the East.
Breanna Stewart scored 32 points to lead Mist to the 2026 Unrivaled championship with an 80-74 victory over top seeds Phantom.
The league co-founder was named MVP of the final after guiding her team to the title in Medley, Florida on Wednesday night.
Stewart seized control of the game by scoring Mist’s first 12 points of the second half to overcome a side they had lost to twice during the regular season.
Plum heroics in vain
Phantom guard Kelsey Plum produced a formidable individual display, finishing with a game-high 40 points on 14-for-21 shooting.
Despite adding six rebounds and five assists, Plum’s efforts were not enough to secure the trophy.
Arike Ogunbowale added 19 points and Allisha Gray contributed 12 for Mist, ensuring the team split the $600,000 winners’ pool.
Dramatic conclusion
The contest ended in controversial fashion when an offensive foul originally called against Stewart was overturned to a blocking foul following a video review.
That decision allowed the three-time WNBA champion to sink the decisive free throw to seal the victory.
“What I’ll remember the most about this Mist team is we might not be the loudest, but we’re going to work the hardest.”
Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled champion
“Just focused on doing it for my team,” Stewart added regarding her performance.
Stewart adds to legacy amid WNBA uncertainty
Victory adds another accolade to the Syracuse native’s extensive collection, which already includes four NCAA titles, three Olympic gold medals and two EuroLeague crowns.
The 3-on-3 league, played on a shortened 72-foot court with an 18-second shot clock, was established by Stewart and Napheesa Collier to provide competition during the traditional off-season.
However, this final could mark the last professional women’s basketball game in the United States for the immediate future.
The WNBA and its players’ union have yet to agree on a new labour deal for the upcoming season, which is scheduled to begin in two months.
Chauncey Billups has pleaded not guilty to federal money laundering and wire fraud charges connected to an alleged rigged poker game scheme in a Brooklyn court.
The former NBA champion appeared at the United States Courthouse to formally deny the allegations leveled against him.
He faces counts of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, which carry a maximum combined prison sentence of 20 years.
The 47-year-old sat silently for over three hours as procedural issues were discussed regarding the extensive case.
Alleged role in criminal underworld
Prosecutors allege the Portland Trail Blazers head coach acted as a “face card” in the illicit operation.
It is claimed his fame and status were utilised to lure unsuspecting victims to rigged poker tables.
The trial involves 30 other defendants, including alleged violent criminals and members of organised crime groups.
During the proceedings, the Denver native observed the gallery of reporters but spoke only to enter his plea.
Trial timeline and evidence
A mandatory status hearing for all 31 defendants is scheduled to take place in Brooklyn on Wednesday.
Judge Ramon E. Reyes has indicated that a full trial could potentially commence in September.
The prosecution’s evidence reportedly involves a terabyte of electronic data, including bank records and surveillance photos.
Following his initial appearance in November, the five-time All-Star was released after posting $5m (£3.9m) bail.
Support from basketball community
Ron Naclerio, a legendary high school coach who trained the point guard for the 1997 draft, attended the hearing to offer support.
“He saw me, we hugged, and I said, ‘I know you’re going through hell, but just keep going,'”
Ron Naclerio
Naclerio noted that the defence attorney expressed gratitude for his presence in the courtroom.
Billups’ legal representative, Marc Mukasey, has so far offered no comment to the media regarding the ongoing proceedings.
Washington Wizards guard Trae Young is set to make his debut for the franchise on Thursday against the Utah Jazz following a lengthy injury absence.
The four-time All-Star will take to the court at home after recovering from fitness issues, according to reports in the US.
Young has not yet featured for the team since his trade from the Atlanta Hawks on 7 January.
Thursday’s fixture represents his first competitive action since 27 December.
Injury recovery complete
The playmaker has been sidelined for several weeks with MCL and quadriceps injuries in his right leg.
Before his enforced break, the 25-year-old was averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists across 10 games this season.
His return provides a significant boost for Washington, who are currently deep into a rebuilding phase.
New era in Washington
The Wizards have struggled for form throughout the campaign and currently sit with a 16-43 record.
Management hopes the in-season acquisition of the prolific scorer will help the franchise rebound in the long term.
Young is viewed as a central figure in the team’s future alongside fellow new arrival Anthony Davis.
Davis, who was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks on 4 February, is yet to make his own debut for the capital city club.
WNBPA vice-president Kelsey Plum has described the league’s latest collective bargaining offer as a “significant win” while warning a strike would be the “worst thing” for the sport.
The Las Vegas Aces guard insisted players are eager to return to the court but acknowledged that further negotiations are required to finalise the deal.
Speaking ahead of Unrivaled semifinal games in New York, the union executive emphasised the mutual damage a work stoppage would cause.
“I want to play, and players want to play,” Plum said.
“Obviously a strike would be the worst thing for both sides, because we are in a revenue sharing system, so no revenue, no revenue to share.”
Revenue sharing dispute remains
Discussions between the two parties have been ongoing for nearly 17 months after the players opted out of the previous agreement.
A significant gap remains regarding financial distribution, with the union seeking 30% of gross revenue before expenses.
In contrast, league officials have proposed a model offering 70% of net revenue, which the WNBPA argues amounts to less than 15% of the gross total.
Despite the disparity, the inclusion of a revenue-sharing model marks a historic shift for the competition.
“Getting the league to agree to a revenue sharing system for the first time… is something we fought really hard for,” Plum added.
Season deadlines approaching
The spectre of a potential strike has loomed since the player body authorised the executive committee to take action if necessary in December.
Time is becoming a factor, with the regular season tip-off scheduled for 8 May.
League administrators have set a target date of 10 March to complete a term sheet to ensure the schedule remains unaffected.
However, the former number one draft pick remains focused on the progress made rather than the remaining hurdles.
“I’ve always been someone that’s focused on the gain, not the gap,” said Plum.
“Obviously, we’re going to continue to negotiate. I can’t emphasize that enough. Like we’re not just settling.”
Thirty-one automatic bids to the women’s NCAA tournament are on the line as Champ Week begins following the conclusion of the Power 4 regular season.
Conference tournament titles will be decided over the next fortnight as teams look to secure their place in March Madness.
Leagues will also be distributing individual awards during this crucial period of the basketball calendar.
While some races remain tight, certain accolades appear all but settled.
In the Big East, UConn’s Sarah Strong looks to be a lock for Player of the Year.
Similarly, Richmond’s Maggie Doogan has established herself as the clear frontrunner in the Atlantic 10.
Projections for the America East
Vermont Catamounts are the predicted champions for the America East conference.
The Burlington-based side pulled away from rivals Binghamton over the final two weeks of the season.
This run included a decisive victory over the Bearcats on 12 February.
Should the two sides meet again in the tournament title game, Vermont will host the rematch.
Maine forward Adrianna Smith is the standout choice for the conference’s Player of the Year.
The senior will leave the programme as one of its most productive players in history.
Smith achieved a rare statistical feat this campaign by topping the America East in scoring, rebounds and assists.
Rice rely on defence in the American
The Rice Owls are favoured to take the American Athletic Conference title despite lacking a top-10 scorer.
Their success has been built on a stifling defence that leads the nation in opponent three-point percentage.
Hailey Adams has proved to be one of the conference’s premier shot blockers.
East Carolina’s Kennedy Fauntleroy is the tip for Player of the Year honours.
The senior guard struggled during stints at Oklahoma State and Arizona State but has regained her best form with the Pirates.
Fauntleroy has reached career highs in points and assists while leading the American in steals.
Jacksonville holds home advantage in ASUN
The Jacksonville Dolphins are predicted to triumph in the ASUN Conference.
Although they trailed Eastern Kentucky earlier in the year, the Dolphins enter the post-season as the hotter team.
Crucially, they will enjoy home comforts with the tournament played at their local VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Priscilla Williams is expected to claim the Player of the Year award for Jacksonville.
The well-travelled senior found a home in Florida after previous spells at Syracuse, South Florida and Oregon.
In her final collegiate season, Williams led the ASUN in rebounding and ranked second in scoring.