NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: March 26, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Playoff Races & Top Performers

The battle for playoff seeding intensified as the Denver Nuggets narrowly defeated the Mavericks on Wednesday, fueled by a massive night from Jamal Murray, who dropped 53 points while Jokic neared a triple-double with 23 points, 21 rebounds, and 19 assists. Separately, the Boston Celtics snapped the Thunder's winning streak at 12 games, with Jaylen Brown delivering 14 of his 31 points in a decisive third quarter during the 119-109 victory. In contrast, the Los Angeles Lakers lamented a loss to the Pistons, though they praised their team's resiliency after erasing a 16-point second-half deficit, failing to extend their own nine-game winning run.

Star Returns & Injury Updates

Several high-profile players made significant returns amidst a wave of season-ending injuries that are reshaping the postseason picture. Joel Embiid scored 35 points in his return from injury as the 76ers managed a win over the Bulls, while Paul George also reappeared after serving a 25-game suspension, contributing 28 points in his first contest back. This return followed George's admission that his failed drug test stemmed from mental health struggles. On the injury front, the Memphis Grizzlies officially ruled Ja Morant out for the season due to an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow, though he is expected to be ready for training camp next year, and the Golden State Warriors confirmed Moses Moody will also miss the remainder of the year with a torn patellar tendon in his knee.

League Governance & Player Relations

League operations and integrity dominated administrative news, as Commissioner Adam Silver declared an intent to combat tanking "full stop", signaling that fundamental changes to the draft lottery system are forthcoming to discourage strategic losing. In a related integrity dispute, the NBA Players Association rebuked the Milwaukee Bucks over their handling of Giannis Antetokounmpo's status, implying the team was attempting to "tank" in a manner detrimental to the league's image. Furthermore, the NBPA has formally requested that the league at minimum amend the 65-game requirement necessary for players to qualify for major end-of-season awards.

MVP Race Dynamics & Rookie Watch

The MVP conversation remains heated, especially as Victor Wembanyama continues his dominant stretch; Spurs center Wembanyama is explicit about his goal to "leave no debate" regarding his candidacy. This self-promotion drew mixed reactions from rivals, as Warriors forward Draymond Green said he "hated" and "absolutely loved" Wembanyama's MVP campaigning. Meanwhile, outside the established stars, rookie evaluations are wrapping up, with one publication suggesting that Kon Knueppel may have already secured the Rookie of the Year award based on current top-10 rankings with only a few weeks left in the schedule.

Team Status & Roster Adjustments

The Oklahoma City Thunder are managing Jalen Williams' workload conservatively as he ramps up minutes following a two-month absence due to a hamstring injury, though Williams confirmed his surgically repaired wrist also feels 100% after the time off. Despite this, OKC recently suffered a major setback when the Celtics defeated them by ten points, marking the Thunder's first loss in over a month. In minor roster moves, the Bucks waived guard Cam Thomas to convert forward Pete Nance's contract to a standard deal, while former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz is reportedly signing a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors.

Future Outlook & Expansion Talk

Looking toward the future, the NBA's board of governors has formally approved a vote to seriously explore expansion bids exclusively targeting Las Vegas and Seattle, a move that could significantly alter the league's geography within the next few seasons. On the player front, Mexican prospect Karim Lopez, who spent two seasons competing in the Australian NBL, has declared for the upcoming draft and is projected to be the first player born in Mexico selected in the first round. In off-court celebrity intersections, rapper J. Cole confirmed that LeBron James brought him vinyl records to sign during a recent meeting where James also interacted with Cole's children.