NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: March 26, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

League Governance & Expansion

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver declared Wednesday that the league is prepared to combat organizational tanking "full stop," signaling that fundamental changes to the draft system are imminent to preserve competitive integrity. This focus on structural integrity arrives as the league’s board of governors formally approved a vote to exclusively explore expansion bids from Las Vegas and Seattle, moving potential new markets closer to reality following months of deliberation. While internal matters dominate, the NBPA simultaneously voiced opposition to the Bucks regarding their dispute with Giannis Antetokounmpo, implying Milwaukee’s desire to shut down the star risks damaging the league’s integrity by suggesting a form of organizational surrender.

End-of-Season Player Status & Injuries

The injury toll mounted significantly over the last few days as several key players were officially ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, severely impacting playoff seeding and future outlooks. Chicago saw its season effectively end for guards Jaden Ivey and forward Jalen Smith, both of whom have been ruled out indefinitely. The Memphis Grizzlies confirmed that Ja Morant will also miss the rest of the year due to an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow, though he is expected back for training camp. Golden State also suffered a blow, with Moses Moody diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, finalizing his season ending procedure.

Star Returns & Individual Milestones

The return of sidelined stars provided significant mid-week highlights, most notably Joel Embiid, who scored 35 points in his first game back from injury while Philadelphia defeated the Bulls. Teammate Paul George also made his highly anticipated return following a 25-game suspension, contributing 28 points in that same contest, later revealing that his failed drug test stemmed from mental health struggles leading to PED use. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets secured a hard-fought victory over the Mavericks, powered by Jamal Murray’s 53-point eruption and Nikola Jokic’s near-historic stat line of 23 points, 21 rebounds, and 19 assists, narrowly missing a 20-20-20 triple-double during the tight contest.

MVP Race Dynamics & Player Commentary

The MVP discussion intensified as Victor Wembanyama asserted his case, stating he intends "to leave no debate" regarding his candidacy, an unprecedented level of self-promotion that drew commentary from established veterans. Draymond Green acknowledged that he both "hated" and "absolutely loved" the Spurs center’s aggressive campaigning for the award this season. Elsewhere in the league, the rookie hierarchy remains largely settled, with updated rankings suggesting the race for the top newcomer award is all but finalized with only a few weeks remaining in the schedule as insiders assessed the top ten.

Team Performance & Player Load Management

The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered their first loss in nearly a month when the Boston Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown’s 31 points—14 of which came in the pivotal third quarter—rallied to secure a 119-109 victory on Wednesday night. Despite the setback, OKC remains cautiously optimistic about their depth, as Jalen Williams made his second appearance after missing two months with a hamstring strain, with the team conserving his minutes as he regained form following the injury, an absence which also allowed his surgically repaired wrist to fully heal according to team staff. The Los Angeles Lakers, despite falling short against the Pistons and snapping a nine-game winning streak, praised their resilience after rallying from a 16-point deficit in the second half of the contest.

Contract Disputes & Rule Modifications

Off-court business saw the NBPA formally petitioning the league to amend the 65-game requirement necessary for players to qualify for end-of-season awards, indicating ongoing friction over player availability stipulations during the regular season grind. In personnel moves, the Milwaukee Bucks waived guard Cam Thomas to facilitate the conversion of Pete Nance’s contract into a standard deal as the team adjusted its roster. Separately, Rockets coach Ime Udoka was ejected and subsequently blasted the officiating after the Rockets’ loss to the Bulls, labeling several late calls as "soft" during his postgame remarks.