NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 17, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
Western Conference Contenders Suffer Setbacks
The Western Conference playoff picture grew more complicated after several key matchups saw top players sidelined by injury or struggling under defensive pressure. In Houston, Kevin Durant shouldered the blame espn.com after the Lakers deployed relentless double-teams against him in the fourth quarter, leading to a critical Rockets loss where he asserted, "I'm the offense." Meanwhile, the Los Angeles teams faced immediate challenges: Clippers star Kawhi Leonard limped off espn.com Saturday with a sprained left ankle, missing the final 9:27 of their home defeat against the Kings, and the Lakers' recent surge was tested when Marcus Smart returned successfully espn.com from a severe hand injury, fueling L.A.'s climb despite controversy over a missed call late in their thriller against Denver that favored the Nuggets espn.com.
The Lakers-Nuggets game proved an instant classic, won in overtime after Austin Reaves forced extra time espn.com by sinking a tying bucket following a perfectly executed missed free throw, only for Luka Doncic to drain the decisive jumper in the extra frame. Further compounding injury woes in the East, Milwaukee's MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo exited Sunday's win espn.com against the Pacers after landing awkwardly while completing a dunk, leaving the Bucks anxiously awaiting updates. Separately, Cleveland guard Max Strus marked his return espn.com from injury by scoring 16 points in the first half against Dallas, becoming the first player since the 1997-98 season to post at least 15 points in the first half of a season debut after an absence.
Coaching Milestones & Off-Court News
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr achieved his 600th victory espn.com Monday night in Washington, securing the milestone in his 943rd regular-season game, which places him fourth fastest among NBA coaches to reach that mark. Kerr also made headlines off the court as an executive producer for the documentary short "All the Empty Rooms," which won the Oscar on Sunday night for its focus on the families impacted by mass shootings receiving the prestigious award espn.com. In personnel news for the Warriors, the team announced that both Seth Curry and Al Horford will miss espn.com at least one week due to mild soft-tissue strains—Curry with his left groin and Horford with his left calf.
Team Transactions & League Expansion Outlook
The league appears to be moving closer to expansion, with details emerging regarding the potential structure of adding new franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas, including speculation on how a future expansion draft might operate espn.com. In team ownership news, Phoenix Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia is pursuing a buyout espn.com of the minority shareholders, heading to confidential mediation that could see his stake increase from its current level to 96% of the franchise. Meanwhile, fantasy basketball managers are advised to examine the waiver wire for immediate roster help, with the Jazz and Trail Blazers offering viable pickups espn.com this week. Finally, on the individual performance front, Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander barely maintained his scoring streak extending his 20-point run espn.com to 128 games during Sunday's victory over the Timberwolves.
Spurs' Momentum & Celebrity Sightings
The San Antonio Spurs continued their impressive second-half surge, improving their record to 17-2 since February, largely driven by the continued brilliance of rookie Victor Wembanyama, whose all-around showcase featured 32 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists espn.com, four blocks, and two steals against the Hornets. Away from the court, the convergence of sports and Hollywood was evident at the Oscars, where businessman Kevin O’Leary carried a commemorative card espn.com featuring game-used logo patches worn by NBA legends Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.