NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 26, 2026, 5:30 PM ET
NBA League Governance & Expansion
NBA officials confirmed espn.com the board of governors approved a formal vote to explore expansion bids specifically targeting Las Vegas and Seattle, signaling a concrete step toward increasing the league's footprint. This forward movement on expansion comes as Commissioner Adam Silver declared espn.com that combating systemic tanking is his immediate top priority, promising fundamental changes to the draft structure to disincentivize non-competitive play. Compounding the integrity concerns, the NBPA formally rebuked espn.com the Milwaukee Bucks regarding their dispute with Giannis Antetokounmpo, implying the organization was damaging the league by advocating for shutting down the star player late in the season.
Player Health & Roster Moves
The injury woes continued across the league, with the Chicago Bulls ruling espn.com both guard Jaden Ivey and forward Jalen Smith out for the remainder of the season due to nagging injuries. Similarly devastating news hit Memphis, as the Grizzlies confirmed espn.com Ja Morant will miss the rest of the year with an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow, though he is expected to return fully prepared for the 2026-27 campaign. Golden State also lost a rotation piece, as Moses Moody was diagnosed with a torn espn.com patellar tendon in his left knee, ending his season prematurely. In roster adjustments, the Bucks elected to waive guard Cam Thomas espn.com to convert Pete Nance’s contract into a standard deal ahead of the playoff push.
Stars Return & MVP Narratives
Several key players made welcome returns to the court following lengthy absences, though the results were mixed for their respective teams. Joel Embiid posted 35 points espn.com in his first game back from injury, leading the 76ers past the Bulls, while his teammate Paul George also starred in his return, dropping 28 points in his first contest after serving a 25-game suspension stemming from a failed drug test. George later revealed that mental health issues contributed espn.com to his use of banned substances leading up to the suspension. Meanwhile, the MVP race intensified as Victor Wembanyama stated espn.com his aggressive self-promotion for the award was intentional, aiming to "leave no debate" regarding his candidacy, a sentiment that Warriors forward Draymond Green admitted he "absolutely loved and hated" to witness espn.com.
Western Conference Contenders in Focus
The Oklahoma City Thunder, despite being ranked at the top of the latest power rankings, suffered their first loss in nearly a month when Jaylen Brown poured in espn.com 31 points, including 14 in the third quarter, to guide the Boston Celtics to a 119-109 victory on Wednesday night. OKC has been cautious with Jalen Williams' return; the guard cleared another fitness test espn.com in his second game back after missing two months with a hamstring issue, though the team remains conservative with his minutes. In a high-scoring affair that showcased the top of the West, Jamal Murray erupted for 53 points while Nikola Jokic espn.com flirted with a historic triple-double, registering 23 points, 21 rebounds, and 19 assists to help the Nuggets edge out the Mavericks. The Lakers, conversely, lamented a loss espn.com to the Pistons despite rallying from a 16-point second-half deficit, failing to extend their own nine-game winning streak.
Rookies, Awards, and Off-Court Business
With the regular season winding down, the conversation around end-of-season honors is heating up, prompting the NBPA to call for changes espn.com to the 65-game minimum rule required for award eligibility. The debate over the best first-year players has largely settled, as updated rankings suggest the Rookie of the Year race espn.com is effectively decided with only a few weeks remaining. Off the court, Celtics star Jayson Tatum and the franchise represent the largest wild card espn.com heading into the 2026 playoffs due to their balancing act between regular season dominance and postseason execution. In other league news, Rockets coach Ime Udoka was ejected after blasting espn.com officials for "soft" calls during a loss to the Bulls. Furthermore, in a curious cultural crossover, LeBron James met with espn.com rapper J. Cole to have the artist sign a copy of his latest "The Fall-Off" vinyl while James was also reportedly carrying it.