NBA Basketball 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 18, 2026, 2:30 AM ET
NBA Playoff Hopes Diminish
Leading MVP candidate Cade Cunningham exited Tuesday night's victory over the Wizards with concerning back spasms, immediately injecting uncertainty into the Detroit Pistons' playoff aspirations. This injury news follows confirmation that the Memphis Grizzlies will finish the season without two key contributors, as guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and forward Santi Aldama both underwent season-ending surgeries earlier in the day. Adding to the Eastern Conference injury woes, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is slated to miss at least one week while recovering from a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise, forcing the team to re-evaluate his status ahead of the final stretch.