NBA News: Friday, February 17th, 2023

We have reached All-Star Game weekend in the NBA, and it’s a chance for teams throughout the league to hit the reset button a bit. That doesn’t mean that the news stories are going to stop, as this is a league that always seems to have something going on.

There have been some big news stories that have come out around the league over the last few days, and some impact upcoming playoff races. Here is a look at three of the biggest news stories on Friday, February 17th. 

NBA Disciplines Referees

There has been plenty of talk about the state of NBA officiating over the last few weeks, and players have been outspoken about missed calls. Many players have begged for accountability for the officials, and commissioner Adam Silver said that there is a system in place. 

According to Silver, the league office holds the referees accountable, and there is a discipline system in place when there are calls that are missed. The NBA does not announce the discipline that is handed down, and Silver stated that it would never become public knowledge. 

NBA referees are part of a union, and that union has apologized for some missed calls during the 2022-23 NBA season. The biggest complaint came from late in a game between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers after a foul was missed in the final seconds of the game. 

Referees are graded throughout the regular season, and only the top officials will be seen on the floor during the postseason. 

Stars Set to Miss ASG?

The NBA has already had to replace three All-Star starters for the game this weekend, and that number could increase over the next few days. Players are expected to make every effort possible to suit up for the big game, but injuries are one reason that they are allowed to miss. 

Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid has remained on the floor throughout the season, but he has been playing through an injury. After the last Sixers game before the break, Embiid was non-committal to the ASG after telling reporters that he is banged up. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo is always a big draw with fans at the ASG, but he suffered a wrist injury on Thursday night in Chicago. It’s unclear if the “Greek Freak” will try to play through that injury or if he will request to be replaced on the roster. 

Love Could Be on the Move

The Cleveland Cavaliers and forward Kevin Love are reportedly discussing a buyout that would allow him to pick a new team for the remainder of the season. Love hasn’t played for the Cavaliers in the last 12 games, and he officially requested to be bought out. 

Love has played the last nine years with the Cleveland Cavaliers and is the only remaining player from the 2016 NBA championship team. The former All-Star has been dealing with a thumb injury this season, and it has impacted his play on both ends of the floor. 

Love is a player that will attract plenty of attention if he was bought out and put on the open market.

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All Media on this page by Associated Press.