The Brooklyn Nets are set to be bolstered for the final stretch of the NBA regular season with the signing of experienced free agent guard Goran Dragic.
The 35-year-old Slovenian, who has an outstanding postseason record, had interest from several sides including the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls.
Dragic's agent Billy Duffy told ESPN that the Nets have won the race for his signature, joining for the rest of the season.
The 2018 All-Star offers the Nets capable backcourt size and backup to Kyrie Irving, who is currently only permitted to play road games due to New York City's vaccination mandate.
Dragic played five games for the Toronto Raptors this season before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs upon the deadline, before they went on to buy out the former Miami Heat star's contract.
Brooklyn will waive guard Jevon Carter to open up a spot for Dragic their roster.
Steph Curry said he was "humbled" to honour the late, great Kobe Bryant by setting new ground in Sunday's NBA All-Star game.
The Golden State Warriors superstar nailed 16 three-pointers as Team LeBron defeated Team Durant 163-160 – a new benchmark for the annual exhibition contest.
Curry broke barriers in other areas too. Regarded as one of the greatest shooters of all time, Curry set records for threes made in a quarter (six) and half (eight), while overtaking James Harden for total threes made (39) in the midseason contest.
The guard was a natural choice for MVP. His six threes record came in the second quarter but it was in the third where he had the Cleveland crowd rocking, as Curry nailed five from downtown in the space of 128 seconds.
The Ohio-born Curry's performance also proved hugely beneficial for charity. He had vowed to donate $1,000 for every point he scored, $3,000 for every three he made, and $10,000 if he won All-Star MVP recognition to the Cleveland Metro School District.
The 2022 MVP award was named in tribute to Los Angeles Lakers great Bryant, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
"This trophy has a very special meaning, honouring Kobe and Gigi, everybody that was lost two years ago," said Curry, who finished with a game-high 50 points, after his sensational homecoming performance.
"I'm very humbled, very blessed and I really appreciate it."
Home favourite James, who is now 5-0 as a captain in the All-Star game, fittingly hit the game-winning shot after receiving a rousing reception from the fans in attendance.
But James paid tribute to Curry, a man who was for so long his rival while representing the Cleveland Cavaliers in their battles with the Warriors for the NBA title.
"Steph, I mean, come on, man. This guy is from a different planet," James said.
"He literally has an automatic sniper connected to his arm and, when he lets it go, not only himself but everybody on the floor, in the stands, on TV, on their phones, whatever you're watching on, you think it's going in every time.
"And nine times out of 10, sometimes 10 times out of 10, it does go in. So, to be out there and watch that kid from Akron as well shoot the ball the way he shot it, it was unbelievable. It was pretty cool."
Kevin Durant was absent from the NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland on Sunday night after the death of his grandmother.
Although injured, the 33-year-old Durant had been due to be present as the non-playing captain of Team Durant against LeBron James' Team LeBron.
The Brooklyn Nets superstar was also set to be feted in a ceremony along with fellow members of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, the players voted the greatest in the league's history.
Durant's mother, Wanda, announced the family's loss earlier on Sunday.
Wanda Durant wrote on Instagram: "It is with great sadness that we share with family and friends that our Dear Sweet Mama, BARBARA A. Davis, transitioned early this morning."
The NBA sent its condolences to Durant's family, stating on Instagram: "The NBA family mourns the loss of Barbara A. Davis."
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell also pulled out of the game, having fallen ill.
Mitchell had been on the Team LeBron roster, and said: "It is a great honour and has always been a dream of mine to be selected as an NBA All-Star. Remorsefully, I will not be able to play in tonight’s All-Star Game due to an upper respiratory illness [non-COVID-related].
"The entire All-Star weekend is a celebration of the basketball community, the fans and the sport I am blessed to play. I'm focused on getting well and back out on the court. Thank you for all the get-well wishes. I can't wait to see the game later today."
Ohio-born four-time NBA MVP LeBron James is not ruling out a potential return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 37-year-old is nearing the end of his decorated career but is enjoying an excellent season on an individual level for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 29.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists.
However, the Lakers do not appear to be a title threat this season, sitting below .500 with a 27-31 record and ninth spot in the Western Conference.
The Lakers also were inactive on the NBA Trade Deadline leading to some reports suggesting James was unhappy, before Anthony Davis went down with a new foot injury leaving them short-handed ahead of a crucial stretch after the All-Star break.
James, who led the Lakers to the 2020 NBA title, is in the first year of a two-year $85 million contract and will not be a free agent until the 2023-24 season.
"The door's not closed on that," James told The Athletic on Saturday when asked about potentially returning to the Cavs.
"I'm not saying I'm coming back and playing, I don't know. I don't know what my future holds. I don't even know when I'm free."
James, who played for the Cavs from 2003 to 2010, was more forthright when discussing playing alongside his son Bronny, who is eligible to be drafted in 2024 when LeBron will be 39.
"My last year will be played with my son," James said. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be.
"I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."
James, who is in Cleveland for Sunday's All-Star Game, has the third-best average for scoring per game this season, while he has scored a personal-best 25 points or more in 23 successive games, yet the Lakers are struggling to make the playoffs.
"That's part of the motivation at this point," he said. "I know it's been a hell-storm of a season for us so far but if I can get our group in the [postseason] games, all we can ask for is a chance."
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid says the way he has been playing speaks for itself about his credentials to win the coveted NBA MVP this season.
The five-time All-Star has enjoyed a dominant season for the Sixers despite the Ben Simmons trade saga, averaging 29.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.5 assists.
Powered by Embiid who has been joined by James Harden in Philadelphia, the Sixers sit third in the Eastern Conference with a 35-23 record.
The 27-year-old finished third in MVP voting behind winner Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry last season.
"I don't want to push for the whole thing, but the way I've been playing speaks for itself," Embiid told reporters on Saturday ahead of Sunday's All-Star Game where he will play for Team Durant.
"Especially with everything we went through, the drama this whole year, obviously missing a big piece and then everything that happened to our team and the way our team is set up.
"I knew had to take my game to another level whether it was offensively, defensively or playmaking and I've got great teammates that are coming in every single day and giving their all on the floor.
"But it always goes back to winning. As long as we win I'll be at that level and have a chance to win it all and win the MVP.
"But to answer your question, the play speaks for itself. Every single night that's what I've been doing offensively and defensively and I don't plan on stopping."
Embiid, who was drafted by the Sixers with pick three in 2014, added that he felt this season was his best to date.
"There's still another level that I can get to, that I believe I can get to and I plan to keep working to reach that level," Embiid said.
"Last year was great [but] this year I really had to take my game to an even higher level than last year. I would say yes, so far, but still another level I can get to."
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul may need a stint on the sidelines due to the hand injury suffered in his side's final game prior to the All-Star break.
Paul was left clutching the injury and ejected for his reaction in the Suns' 124-121 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday after Jae'Sean Tate's arm struck his hand when throwing a pass.
The 36-year-old underwent an MRI on Thursday although the Suns have not released any diagnosis, while Paul has since linked up with Team LeBron for Sunday's All-Star Game.
Paul's hand was wrapped in a cast at Saturday's practise and he did not rule himself out of the All-Star Game, but indicated he may need time out due to the injury.
"I always want to play. When I felt that in my hand, I was mad for all types of reasons," Paul told reporters after practise.
"Obviously we're not going to [rush it]. I'm going to try to heal as fast as physically possible. The second I'm able to play, I guarantee you I will be playing."
Paul's Suns head coach Monty Williams is in charge of Team LeBron but also would not be drawn on the extent of the injury.
The Suns are leading the NBA with a 48-10 record and Paul, who has a history of hand and wrist problems, hinted that position meant he could be afforded time to get the problem right.
"We're 48-10 and if we do miss some time I know the guys are going to hold it down," Paul said.
"There's always going to be a frustration with injury. My hand surgeon is part of my family now."
Chicago Bulls' All-Star Zach LaVine says he is feeling way better after missing his side's past three games to undergo specialist treatment on a knee issue which has been hampering him all season.
LaVine, who will lace up in Sunday's All-Star Game, travelled to Los Angeles last week to have platelet-rich plasma therapy, a cortisone injection and fluid drained from his left knee.
The 26-year-old, who tore the ACL in his left knee in 2017, has missed five games in January due to knee swelling.
LaVine has played 47 of the Bulls' 59 games this season, averaging 24.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
"I wanted to go out there and make sure everything was good," LaVine said after Team Durant practice on Saturday. "I've been battling the knee soreness for a little bit, not playing at 100 per cent.
"I want to continue to go out there and try to help us win, so the last three games I had to really just take it upon myself to make sure I was OK for the second half of the season. I feel way better."
The Bulls are firmly in contention for a deep playoffs run, sitting second in the Eastern Conference with a 38-21 record.
LaVine indicated he would likely look into offseason surgery on the knee but wanted to commit to this campaign given the Bulls' position.
"It will get me through the end of the season, and in the offseason I'll be able to take care of it and try to get myself 100 percent," LaVine said.
"The season is important enough for me personally, I'll be able to go out there and play and do what I have to do still."
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