NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 12, 2026, 6:58 AM ET
Injuries & Absence Impact Playoff Push
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry ruled out espn.com for another 10 days due to a persistent right knee issue, the team announced Wednesday, extending his absence beyond the initial projection. This setback compounds the Warriors' injury woes, already weakened by Draymond Green's recent absence, and raises questions about their playoff positioning. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James remained out espn.com Tuesday night against the Timberwolves because of left foot arthritis and a right hip contusion, continuing his absence for the third consecutive game. His continued absence hampers the Lakers' push in the competitive Western Conference. Additionally, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey was diagnosed espn.com with a tendon injury to his right pinkie, ruling him out for at least three weeks, a significant blow to the team's backcourt depth.
Ejections & Disciplinary Actions
Celtics guard Jaylen Brown was ejected espn.com in the second quarter of Tuesday's matchup at the Spurs after officials whistled him for back-to-back technical fouls, a decision that could impact Boston's playoff seeding. Simultaneously, Thunder wing Luguentz Dort apologized espn.com to Nuggets center Nikola Jokic after committing a second flagrant foul against him in the past two weeks, highlighting ongoing defensive intensity issues between the teams. These incidents underscore the physical nature of playoff-bound teams and the disciplinary challenges referees face.
Team News & Transactions
The Hornets resolved a dispute over Terry Rozier's 2024 trade by sending a second-round pick espn.com to the Heat, though Rozier remains under investigation. Conversely, the NBA halted espn.com the Hawks' planned tribute to Atlanta's famed strip club scene, citing "concerns" from across the league, signaling the league's sensitivity to external perceptions. On a positive note, 76ers star guard Tyrese Maxey and his girlfriend, Myra Gordon, announced espn.com they are expecting their first child, a significant personal milestone for the young star.
League Decisions & Commentary
Warriors coach Steve Kerr repeatedly called espn.com for the NBA to shorten its 82-game schedule, arguing it would improve the pace of play and reduce player fatigue, a recurring theme in his post-game commentary. This push contrasts with the league's current focus on maximizing revenue through extended schedules and global expansion, as highlighted by Quinn Cook's loss of two international jobs espn.com this year due to global political issues.
Standings & Future Outlook
The NBA Power Rankings show the Thunder and Spurs espn.com leading the Western Conference, with the Celtics rising as a playoff contender. As the fantasy playoffs approach, experts outline five keys to winning espn.com, emphasizing depth, clutch performance, and strategic roster management. Meanwhile, the Lakers' Luka Dončić faced a $50,000 fine espn.com for directing an inappropriate "money" gesture toward a game official during a win over the Knicks, a penalty reflecting the league's stance on on-court conduct.