NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing

Last updated: March 17, 2026, 12:30 AM ET

Coaching Milestones & Off-Court Honors

Golden State Coach Steve Kerr achieved his 600th regular-season victory Monday night, reaching the milestone in his 943rd game, making him the fourth-fastest coach in NBA history to reach that benchmark. Separately, Kerr received recognition off the court for his executive producer role on the documentary short "All the Empty Rooms," which secured an Academy Award win Sunday evening for its focus on families affected by mass shootings.

Ownership Shifts & League Expansion Talk

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is pursuing a buyout of the minority owners' collective 13% stake, with the involved parties heading to confidential binding mediation to finalize the transaction that could push Ishbia’s ownership to 96%. This activity occurs as the league appears closer than ever to formalized plans for expansion, with speculation centering on the addition of two new franchises, potentially located in Seattle and Las Vegas, including discussions around how a future expansion draft might be structured.

Player Recovery & Fantasy Focus

While the league contemplates its future footprint, immediate on-court drama centers on key player health, such as Lakers guard Marcus Smart's remarkable recovery after sustaining a severe hand injury, now fueling the team’s climb through the Western Conference standings. For managers looking to bolster their rosters immediately, experts suggest targeting players currently available on the waiver wire from teams like the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers for immediate impact additions this week.