Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry will miss Thursday’s game against the Boston Celtics due to a knee injury, though trade deadline signing Kristaps Porzingis is expected to make his debut.
Curry, 35, has been sidelined for the past five games and the exact timeline for his return remains unclear following the All-Star break.
While head coach Steve Kerr had initially expressed optimism that the swelling in Curry’s right knee would subside, the point guard reported he was not ready to participate in live scrimmages on Wednesday.
“Just wasn’t where he needed to be,” Kerr said regarding the four-time NBA champion. “It’s unfortunate.”
“We’ll have an update tomorrow after he goes through his time with the training staff.”
Medical concerns persist
The Warriors are taking a cautious approach with their franchise player, citing the “nebulous” nature of the injury described as “runner’s knee”.
Kerr confirmed it is possible Curry will undergo another MRI after consulting with Rick Celebrini, the team’s director of sports medicine.
However, Celebrini is currently in Milan watching his son compete for Team Canada in Olympic hockey, adding a layer of logistical complexity to the medical decision-making process.
Curry previously told reporters that while the knee was trending in the right direction, managing inflammation was critical to avoiding a setback.
“It’s something we still have to monitor and injury-manage, but it’s something where, if I come back too early, it could flare up,” Curry said.
Porzingis ready for ‘weird’ reunion
In a significant boost for Golden State, Porzingis is set to feature for the first time since his arrival from the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline.
The deal, which sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta, brought the Latvian centre to the Bay Area to bolster the Warriors’ frontcourt.
Although officially listed as questionable, the former New York Knick told reporters he was “ready to go” after scrimmaging on Wednesday.
Kerr plans to utilise the 7ft 2in forward in short bursts off the bench, potentially matching him up against Al Horford and his former Celtics teammates.
“Weird. Who would believe this?” said Porzingis on facing Boston immediately.
“Obviously we expected Boston to have some changes with the money stuff, but it’s going to be weird.”
Play-off push intensifies
The Warriors have spent recent practice sessions adjusting their offence to accommodate Porzingis’ post-up ability.
The 28-year-old, who has been limited to just 17 games this season due to illness and Achilles tendinitis, expressed excitement about playing alongside Draymond Green.
“I love Draymond, man,” Porzingis added. “I can see how important he is to this group.”
Golden State currently sit eighth in the Western Conference standings with a record of 29-26 as they look to secure a post-season berth.
Sacramento Kings stars Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine have both undergone season-ending surgeries as the franchise looks toward the future following a difficult campaign.
The team’s two highest earners had their respective procedures on Wednesday, according to reports in the US.
Sabonis required an operation to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
The Lithuanian forward originally suffered the tear in mid-November, missing 27 games while attempting to rehabilitate the injury.
He returned for eight fixtures prior to the All-Star break but has now opted for a full repair with eyes set on next season.
Kings struggles continue
The double blow comes with Sacramento currently sitting at the bottom of the NBA standings.
The Kings hold a league-worst 12-44 record and are currently enduring a 14-game losing streak.
LaVine joins his team-mate on the sidelines after electing to have surgery on a tendon injury in his right hand.
The shooting guard averaged 19.2 points across 39 appearances this season but had missed five of the team’s previous 10 games.
Future uncertainty
Questions remain over the long-term future of both players in California.
LaVine holds a $48.9m (£38.5m) player option for next season which he is widely expected to trigger.
Sabonis has two years and $94m remaining on his current contract.
Sacramento explored the trade market for the pair prior to the deadline but could not finalise a deal.
General manager Scott Perry is anticipated to revisit those discussions during the summer off-season.
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the current campaign as he continues his recovery from major knee surgery.
The 33-year-old has not featured this season after undergoing an operation to repair a torn left anterior cruciate ligament last March.
Irving’s agent confirmed the nine-time All-Star is now targeting a full return for the start of the 2026-27 season.
Focus on long-term fitness
Shetellia Riley Irving told ESPN the decision was made to prioritise the veteran’s conditioning ahead of a future title bid.
“This is about Kyrie being 1,000% when he comes back and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season.”
The former Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics playmaker missed the final 20 games of the previous term when he first sustained the injury.
His continued absence is a significant blow to a Dallas side that has struggled to find consistency without their primary ball-handler.
Mavericks signal rebuild
Since the 2016 NBA champion arrived in Texas during the 2022-23 season, the team boasts a 75-53 record with him in the line-up.
Conversely, the franchise has won just 42 of the 117 games played without Irving available.
The Mavericks currently sit fourth in the Southwest Division with a 19-35 record entering the post-All-Star break schedule.
Management signaled a shift in strategy earlier this month by trading Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards.
That nine-player blockbuster deal indicated the beginning of a rebuilding phase for the Western Conference organisation.
Doug Moe, the former Denver Nuggets coach who engineered one of the most potent offenses of the 1980s, has died at the age of 87.
The Nuggets confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday, paying tribute to a “one of a kind leader”.
Moe is best remembered for his tenure in Denver between 1980 and 1990, where his teams became synonymous with a high-scoring run-and-gun style.
A golden era in Denver
Under his guidance, the franchise reached the postseason in nine consecutive years.
His tactical approach saw the Colorado team lead the NBA in scoring on six separate occasions.
The offensive innovator accumulated 432 victories during his time in the Mile High City.
That tally stood as a franchise record until current boss Michael Malone surpassed it last season.
“He will forever be loved and remembered by Nuggets fans and his banner commemorating his 432 career victories as head coach will hang in the rafters to forever honor his incredible legacy.”
Denver Nuggets statement
The organisation added that their thoughts were with Moe’s wife Jane and his son David.
From ABA star to coaching great
Before moving to the bench, Moe enjoyed a successful playing career in the American Basketball Association (ABA).
He was a three-time All-Star between 1968 and 1970.
The forward also helped the Oakland Oaks secure the league championship in 1969.
Moe eventually transitioned to coaching, starting as an assistant to former team-mate Larry Brown.
A lifetime of achievement
He took his first head coaching role with the San Antonio Spurs in 1976, leading the Texans for four seasons.
Moe retired with a career record of 628-529, which ranks as the 19th highest win total in NBA history.
In 2018, his contributions to the sport were recognised with the prestigious Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award.
Oklahoma City Thunder remain clear favourites for the NBA title as the Cleveland Cavaliers see their odds shorten following the high-profile acquisition of James Harden.
Thunder and Nuggets lead the pack
Halfway through the campaign, the landscape at the top of the market has solidified with Mark Daigneault’s side consolidating their status as the team to beat.
The Thunder are currently listed at +130, a significant tightening from their preseason price of +200.
Trailing them are the Denver Nuggets, who sit as clear second favourites at +450 having also seen their odds improve considerably since the season began.
The 2023 champions were a popular selection during the preseason, attracting the highest volume of bets at several major sportsbooks.
DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello confirmed that the Nuggets represent a liability for bookmakers due to the heavy betting volume sustained throughout the season.
Both the Thunder and the Nuggets currently hold a 16% share of the total handle, marking them out as the dominant forces in the eyes of the betting public.
Cavaliers surge following Harden deal
The most significant market movement concerns the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have re-entered the conversation following a major roster shake-up.
Having started the season at +650, Cleveland drifted out to +3000 during a turbulent opening few months.
However, the arrival of James Harden from the LA Clippers in early February has revitalised the franchise’s prospects.
The Cavaliers went unbeaten with the former league MVP in the lineup prior to the All-Star break.
This run of form has seen their price slashed to +1200, positioning them as the third favourites for the championship.
Despite the optimism from punters, some industry experts remain cautious regarding the impact the veteran guard can have in the postseason.
“I mean, he will help, but how drastically he’ll help [is the question],” said Caesars Sportsbook NBA lead David Lieberman.
“But I think as far as bettors go, I don’t blame them for getting in on that when their price was a little bit higher. I do think on paper they are maybe one of the top choices in the East.”
Pistons attracting support in the East
While the focus remains on the favourites, the Detroit Pistons have emerged as a surprising popular selection among the public.
Currently leading the Eastern Conference standings, Detroit sits fifth in the championship betting market at +1500.
Data suggests bettors are buying into the Pistons’ resurgence, with the franchise attracting nearly a quarter of all tickets to win the conference in February.
The Los Angeles Lakers have shifted their focus to a potentially explosive summer overhaul after limiting their trade deadline activity to a single deal for Luke Kennard.
The franchise concluded their mid-season business with a solitary move to bolster their perimeter shooting.
Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick were sent to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kennard.
This conservative approach signals a strategy to preserve assets for the offseason rather than chasing short-term fixes.
The Lakers, currently led by the trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, recently secured a season sweep over the Philadelphia 76ers.
However, the focus within the front office has turned to the flexibility available to them this summer.
Uncertainty surrounds James’ future
The immediate future of the franchise hinges significantly on LeBron James.
The 41-year-old icon is nearing the end of his record-setting 23rd season.
James has repeatedly stated he remains unsure whether he will return for another campaign or retire.
His decision will drastically impact the team’s salary cap situation.
Austin Reaves is also approaching a pivotal moment in his career.
The guard turned down a previous extension and is now eligible for a five-year maximum contract worth $241m.
Forward Rui Hachimura, currently on an expiring contract, is set to enter free agency as well.
Hachimura admitted the trade deadline brings inevitable speculation.
“With the Lakers, we get a lot of rumors,” Hachimura said.
“But a lot of times, those rumors are bulls—. We have the time now where it’s like, ‘OK, this is our group now.'”
War chest ready for summer
General manager Rob Pelinka has positioned the organisation to be a major player in the upcoming market.
The Lakers are projected to have $51m in salary cap space available.
Furthermore, the front office will have three first-round draft picks available to trade.
These assets – the 2026, 2031, and 2033 picks – could be used to pursue a third superstar, with Giannis Antetokounmpo mooted as a potential target.
Pelinka defended the decision to remain largely inactive during the winter window.
“I would say we were aggressive,” Pelinka said.
“And one form of being aggressive is saying no to moves that come your way that might not be best for the short- and long-term future.”
The strategy leaves the Lakers with 28 games to maximise their current roster before a summer that could redefine the franchise.
Michigan have taken over the number one spot in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll following back-to-back defeats for long-time leaders Arizona.
The Wolverines have capitalized on the Wildcats’ stumble to claim their first pole position of the 2025-26 season.
Holding a dominant 24-1 record, the Ann Arbor program are currently riding a 10-game winning streak.
Their ascent comes at a crucial juncture, with high-profile fixtures against Purdue and Duke looming on the schedule this week.
Arizona’s historic slide
The Wildcats had enjoyed a comfortable nine-week residency at the summit of the rankings.
However, consecutive losses to Kansas and Texas Tech have proved costly for the former pace-setters.
Arizona have now dropped to fourth, a fall exacerbated by historical trends regarding teams losing momentum after strong starts.
They became only the third Division I team in 40 years to lose consecutive games immediately following a start of 20-0 or better.
Houston and Duke climb
The shake-up at the top has allowed other title contenders to improve their standing within the top five.
Houston have moved up to second place, bolstered by an active six-game winning run.
The Cougars recently secured their 18th straight home victory with a convincing win over Kansas State.
Duke have also been beneficiaries of the reshuffle, climbing one place to sit third in the nation.
The Blue Devils extended their own formidable home record to 29 straight wins after defeating Clemson on Saturday.
Boilermakers and Huskies in the mix
UConn continue to apply pressure on the leading pack from the fifth spot.
Meanwhile, Iowa State occupy sixth place after snapping Kansas’ eight-game winning streak.
Purdue have jumped significantly from 13th to seventh following a strong week of performances.
The Boilermakers were led by Braden Smith, who has now moved into sixth on the all-time Division I career assists list.
Anthony Edwards was named Most Valuable Player as he led Team Stars to victory over Team Stripes in the final of a revamped and refreshingly competitive NBA All-Star Game.
Edwards shines in Inglewood
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard secured the honour after steering his side to a dominant 47-21 win in the deciding contest at the Intuit Dome.
It marked a successful debut for the league’s new four-team tournament format, designed to reignite intensity during the mid-season showcase.
Edwards proved decisive throughout the evening, sinking a tying three-pointer in the opening round-robin game before taking control of the final.
While the earlier contests featured dramatic finishes, the showpiece event saw the younger Stars squad overrun a fatigued Stripes outfit.
Wembanyama sets the tone
Although Edwards lifted the Kobe Bryant Trophy, the heightened competitiveness was largely attributed to the influence of Victor Wembanyama.
The French phenomenon, representing Team World, topped the scoring charts in both of his appearances despite his side failing to progress.
His defensive effort challenged his peers to match his intensity, a factor Edwards acknowledged immediately after the buzzer.
“We chose to compete today, and we came out on top,” the 22-year-old said.
“I ain’t going to lie, Wemby set the tone. He came out and played hard, and we had to follow that.”
A solution to the crisis?
Recent editions of the All-Star Game have drawn heavy criticism for a lack of defensive effort, prompting Commissioner Adam Silver to trial a radical new structure.
This year’s “mini-tournament” pitted two American sides against a World team, leveraging national pride in an Olympic year.
The strategy appeared to pay off, with the preliminary matches featuring overtime periods, buzzer-beaters, and genuine hustle.
“It was a pretty good display of basketball,” Wembanyama observed. “Better than last year, in my opinion.”
“It’s a game we love… so being competitive is the least I can do.”
Leonard thrills home crowd
Before the Stars claimed the title, Team Stripes had looked formidable during the round-robin stage.
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard delighted the home audience in Inglewood with a 31-point explosion in the third game.
However, the veteran appeared to run out of steam in the final, managing just a single point as the youthful energy of Team Stars prevailed.
Elsewhere, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Toronto’s Scottie Barnes provided highlights with dramatic game-winning shots earlier in the evening.
Team World was hampered by the absence of Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic in their second match, with both resting to preserve their health.
Ultimately, the night belonged to Edwards and a format change that may have finally salvaged the reputation of the NBA’s premier showcase.