Stephen Curry signaled his return long before tip-off on Friday night, stunning fans at Chase Center. He made shot from nearly 100 feet moments before the game began. As part of his usual pregame routine, Curry launched a heave from the tunnel leading onto the court after taking a short pass from a nearby security guard. The ball sailed beneath the scoreboard and dropped through the net.  Curry sprinted away in celebration as fans erupted in disbelief. Roughly an hour later, the Warriors star returned to game action for the first time in five contests after recovering from a left quad injury. The 37-year-old looked sharp, pouring in 39 points to go along with five assists and five rebounds in 32 minutes, though Golden State fell 127-120 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. “I felt pretty good early, then had to find my second wind,” Curry said. “Once I got into the flow, everything started to feel normal again. Individually, it was a solid first game back.” Curry shot 14-of-28 from the field and recorded his eighth 30-point performance of the season. However, his effort wasn’t enough for a Warriors side missing key contributors, including Draymond Green, who remains out due to a team-excused absence, and Al Horford, sidelined with sciatica. Golden State now sits at 13-13 heading into Sunday’s matchup with Portland, and the reliance on Curry remains clear. While his pregame heroics provided the night’s highlight, the inability to convert his strong return into a win raised further concerns. Asked afterward about the long-distance shot that captivated the crowd, Curry offered a wry smile. “That’s the second one I’ve made,” he said. “I thought it was going to be a better night.”

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley is expected to miss between two and four weeks after suffering a left calf strain. The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year picked up the injury during Friday night’s 130-126 comeback win over the Washington Wizards. The game in which he posted 23 points and 13 rebounds. Postgame assessments revealed tightness in his calf, and an MRI scan on Saturday confirmed a Grade 1 strain. Mobley has been a near ever-present for Cleveland this season, missing just one game, and is averaging a career-best 19.1 points per contest alongside 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.6 blocks. The setback adds to Cleveland’s injury woes. After finishing last season as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers have struggled to stay healthy throughout the current campaign and have lost five of their last eight games to sit at 15-11. In addition to Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, Larry Nance Jr. and Max Strus are also sidelined or managing injuries. Allen has missed the past six games with a finger issue. He is listed as probable for Sunday’s matchup against Charlotte.

There may still be unanswered questions surrounding the New York Knicks. From their road form to their adjustment under a new head coach, but when it comes to Jalen Brunson, there is little doubt. The point guard continues to be a model of consistency and confidence, and on Saturday he moved the Knicks one step closer to silverware. Brunson now has the opportunity to lead New York to its first NBA trophy since 1973, with the Emirates NBA Cup Final set for Tuesday night. Beyond that, his leadership and poise suggest he could also guide the Knicks into championship contention later in the season. First, however, came the task of reaching the final. Brunson delivered when it mattered most in the NBA Cup semifinals. He produced a commanding performance to overwhelm the Orlando Magic and book New York’s place in the championship game. Comfortable on the biggest stages, whether at Madison Square Garden or inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. Brunson has once again showed why he thrives under pressure. Orlando had no answers as he sliced through defenders with a blend of intelligence, footwork and composure. “ He constantly finds a way,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “He puts you in tough positions, uses his footwork and leverage, and knows how to draw fouls and step into shots.” Brunson’s ability to dismantle defenses was again on full display, with the Magic becoming the latest team to fall victim. His influence has remained unchanged despite the Knicks’ coaching transition. He raises hopes that he and the new regime can push the team even further. For now, the Knicks will extend their stay in Las Vegas and prepare for a rare shot at a championship, with Brunson at the heart of their ambitions. “It shows the trust and faith he has in me,” Brunson said. “I’m grateful for our relationship so far, and it’s only going to keep getting better.”

Jalen Johnson is rapidly becoming the engine of the Trae-Young-less Atlanta Hawks and his head coach believes he’s still only scratching the surface. Johnson recorded his second triple-double in as many nights on Saturday, posting 30 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in the Hawks’ 131–116 win over the Washington Wizards. It was his fourth triple-double of the season, all coming at a time when Atlanta is without four-time All-Star Trae Young, sidelined since late October with a sprained right MCL. The 23-year-old is averaging 23.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists, all major jumps from his breakout 2024–25 campaign. “It reflects a guy who’s done a lot of work and who we need to make a lot of plays for us,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “The triple-doubles are great, but he wants to win and there’s more there. He can be even more efficient, because we need him to be.” Johnson’s back-to-back performances were historic.On Friday, in a one-point loss to Denver, he logged the second-fastest triple-double in NBA history, hitting the mark in just 16:44, behind only Nikola Jokić’s 14:33.Saturday’s effort made him only the second Hawk ever to post triple-doubles on both ends of a back-to-back, joining Bob Sura in April 2004. “Yesterday was cool, but tonight was more important because we got the win,” Johnson said. “It was a great group effort. My teammates make the game easier for me.” With Young out and the Hawks reshaping their identity, Johnson’s rise has been essential — and if Snyder is right, the frightening part for the rest of the league is that he still has room to grow.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren first crossed paths six years ago. It happened in Colorado Springs. Duren, then 15, was getting up shots late at night. Cunningham, 17, joked about Duren’s stiff jumper. Neither knew they’d become teammates. Or close friends. That friendship fuels Detroit’s surge this season. Cunningham, now 24, is playing at an MVP level. Duren, 22, has taken a major leap and is in the Most Improved Player race. Both could be All-Stars in February. Duren is averaging 19.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He’s added off-the-dribble moves and a midrange touch. Cunningham is on pace for career highs across the board: 27.6 points, 9.2 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Their chemistry started off the court. Last summer, Cunningham organized a rugged Colorado trip. No luxury. Small cabins. One TV. Bugs everywhere. Duren said it pushed his comfort zone and expanded his mindset. Cunningham teaches him new things. They talk about history and life. Duren calls him “very intellectual.” The next adventure came a month later. They traveled to Rome. Two weeks together. Museums. Ancient ruins. Long walks. Constant new experiences. Cunningham said exploring as tourists brought them even closer. That closeness now shows in games. Their timing. Their reads. Their trust. It’s a major reason the Pistons have climbed the Eastern Conference standings.

Chicago Bulls rookie Noa Essengue will miss the rest of the season. Coach Billy Donovan announced the news Wednesday. Essengue needs surgery on his left shoulder. Doctors advised fixing the issue now. Donovan said the problem could linger if they waited. The final decision was made earlier in the day. Essengue, 18, was the 12th pick in the draft. The French forward played only two games for Chicago. He logged just over six minutes and missed all three of his shots. He also played four games in the G League. With Windy City, he averaged 23 points, 8.5 rebounds, and nearly 31 minutes. Chicago is dealing with several other injuries. Coby White, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, and Jalen Smith are all out. Guards Isaac Okoro and Tre Jones are also sidelined.