NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 11:56 PM ET
ON-COURT ACTION & RESULTS
Luka Doncic exploded for 51 points espn.com in a performance that highlighted LeBron James' return to the Lakers lineup, with the team's starting five totaling 137 points—the most by a starting unit in regulation since the 1970-71 season. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama sat out with right ankle soreness espn.com for Thursday's 136-131 loss to the Nuggets, leaving the Spurs to absorb a defeat without their star rookie. In the power rankings, the Thunder and Spurs continue to dominate the Western Conference espn.com, while the Celtics have risen in the standings espn.com as the playoffs approach, positioning themselves as serious contenders in the East.
PLAYER NEWS & INJURIES
Tristan da Silva continues his upward trajectory espn.com in NBA circles, emerging as a must-own player in fantasy leagues as his production gains consistency. On the injury front, Stephen Curry faces an additional 10-day absence espn.com with a persistent right knee issue, further delaying his return for the Warriors as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season. Jaylen Brown voiced frustration espn.com with what he perceives as the NBA's rewarding of "foul baiting," expressing concerns that the trend is distorting the fundamental nature of basketball gameplay and creating an incentive for players to draw rather than earn their points.
DRAFT & PROSPECTS
League insiders are divided on the top draft prospects espn.com, with Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa both making compelling cases to be selected first overall in what's shaping up to be a competitive NBA draft. In the "silly season" category, experts have highlighted emerging talents espn.com like Tre Johnson and GG Jackson as players to watch during the final stretch of the regular season when lesser-known talents often rise to prominence. Looking further ahead, Jeremy Woo updated his 2026 mock draft espn.com with movement in the rankings as prospects establish their identities ahead of March Madness, with several players making significant jumps in the evaluation process.
FRANCHISE & BUSINESS
The Knicks, despite holding a 42-25 record and third place in the Eastern Conference, face critical questions espn.com about getting key players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson back on track if they hope to make a deep playoff run. Quinn Cook, a two-time NBA champion, has encountered setbacks espn.com internationally, losing two basketball jobs this year due to global political issues that have disrupted opportunities for American players abroad. In memorabilia news, Scottie Pippen's personal collection fetched over $6.2 million espn.com at auction, with 71 lots from his career selling via Sotheby's, including the iconic jersey he wore in the famed "Flu Game" during the 1997 NBA Finals.