NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 17, 2026, 10:30 AM ET
NBA Playoff Picture & Key Matchups
The Western Conference playoff race saw significant turbulence over the weekend, highlighted by the Lakers winning an OT thriller espn.com against the Nuggets following an Austin Reaves tying bucket and a subsequent game-winning jumper from Luka Doncic in overtime. This result followed a controversial finish in regulation where the NBA later confirmed a missed call on a Spencer Jones strip espn.com of Reaves with 9.2 seconds left, which denied the Lakers crucial free throws. Meanwhile, the Clippers suffered a setback as star Kawhi Leonard limped off with a sprained left ankle espn.com during their home loss to Sacramento, missing the final 9:27 of the game. Victor Wembanyama continued his dominant rookie campaign, putting up a tremendous 32 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, four blocks, and two steals espn.com to propel the red-hot Spurs, who have now won 17 of their last 19 contests since February.
The Eastern Conference also saw concerning updates, as MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo exited Milwaukee's win Sunday espn.com after an awkward landing while completing a dunk against the Pacers, though the severity of the injury remains pending further evaluation. Elsewhere in the East, Max Strus made a long-awaited return to the Cavaliers espn.com, netting 16 points in the first half against the Mavericks; according to Elias data, he is the first player since the 1997-98 season to score 15 or more points in the first half of a season debut after missing time. In personnel news for Golden State, the Warriors announced that both Seth Curry, dealing with a mild left groin strain, and Al Horford, nursing a mild left calf strain, will be sidelined for at least one week espn.com.
Star Performances & Offensive Load
Kevin Durant shouldered significant blame following a loss to the Lakers, stating plainly, "I'm the offense," after Houston struggled to generate quality looks in the fourth quarter when L.A. implemented a steady diet of double-teams espn.com. In Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander managed to secure a victory over the Timberwolves, which allowed him to extend his impressive streak espn.com of games with at least 20 points to an even 128 contests. On a more positive note, Lakers guard Marcus Smart is fueling the team’s rise in the West after returning from a devastating self-inflicted punch wound espn.com that nearly cost him his right hand, describing the recovery process as having "glass in my hand."
League Business & Off-Court News
The NBA appears to be moving closer to formal expansion, with internal discussions centering on the viability of adding two new franchises espn.com, with Seattle and Las Vegas consistently cited as the frontrunners for the next destinations. Off the court, Phoenix Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia is reportedly headed toward confidential binding mediation that could see his ownership stake increase to 96% espn.com by buying out minority partners holding 13% of the team. In coaching milestones, Golden State's Steve Kerr secured his 600th career win espn.com in his 943rd regular-season game Monday night in Washington, making him the fourth-fastest coach in league history to reach that benchmark.
League Culture & Miscellaneous
Coach Kerr also garnered attention Sunday night for his non-coaching achievements, as the documentary short he executive produced, "All the Empty Rooms," which focuses on families impacted by mass shootings, took home an Oscar award espn.com. Separately, Kevin O’Leary was seen at the Oscars wearing a card featuring game-used NBA logo patches from legends Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, drawing attention to NBA memorabilia espn.com. In minor league news, fantasy basketball analysts suggested that managers look toward available players on the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers rosters as potential waiver-wire pickups espn.com to bolster their weekly lineups. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks organization faced fan backlash after the NBA shut down a planned promotion involving the adult entertainment club Magic City, though Hawks supporters still showed up espn.com wearing Magic City gear for Monday night's game. The league's long history of special uniforms was also revisited, with a look back at notable St. Patrick’s Day jerseys espn.com worn by various teams throughout the years.