NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: March 27, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

League Governance & Offseason Outlook

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated unequivocally that combating strategic losing, or "tanking," is the league's foremost concern, promising fundamental changes to the draft structure to deter the practice. This focus on integrity arrives as the Board of Governors formally approved a vote to explore expansion bids, with Las Vegas and Seattle being the exclusive candidates for new franchises. Further complicating the current season's integrity is the NBPA rebuking the Bucks over their handling of the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation, implying Milwaukee's desire to rest its star is tantamount to damaging the league by "tanking." On a related procedural note, the players' union is also formally requesting an amendment to the 65-game threshold required for end-of-season award eligibility.

MVP Buzz & Rising Stars

The MVP conversation remains dominated by the league's young phenoms, though internal league sentiment is reportedly growing around the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, with insiders suggesting he "breaks all the rules." Even rival star Draymond Green admitted to having contradictory feelings, stating he both "hated" and "absolutely loved" Wembanyama's assertive self-promotion regarding his MVP case. Meanwhile, the race for Rookie of the Year appears all but settled, with updated rankings suggesting the top contenders have established a commanding lead with only weeks remaining in the regular season as detailed in the latest rankings.

Key Injury Updates & Roster Shakes

The injury epidemic continued to decimate playoff aspirations across the Association, with the Chicago Bulls ruling out guards Jaden Ivey and forward Jalen Smith for the remainder of the season. The Memphis Grizzlies confirmed that Ja Morant will miss the rest of the year due to an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow but is projected to be ready for the 2026-27 training camp. Golden State also sustained a major blow, as Moses Moody was diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, ending his season prematurely.

Top Contenders Prevail Amidst Returns

The title picture saw significant movement as contenders navigated star returns and key matchups. The Boston Celtics snapped the Thunder's 12-game winning streak in a pivotal Eastern Conference clash, led by Jaylen Brown, who poured in 14 of his 31 points during a decisive third quarter. In Denver, the Nuggets barely held off the Mavericks on Wednesday night, powered by Jamal Murray’s 53-point explosion and Nikola Jokic’s near triple-double effort of 23 points, 21 rebounds, and 19 assists. The Philadelphia 76ers saw a strong return to action, as Joel Embiid scored 35 points in his comeback game while Paul George contributed 28 in his first appearance since serving his 25-game suspension for a failed drug test, which George later attributed to mental health struggles as he discussed with reporters.

Player & League Dynamics Off Court

Off-court matters provided notable headlines, including the NBA voting to review expansion bids for Las Vegas and Seattle, signaling a serious path toward league expansion. Separately, Hall of Famer George Gervin expressed being "caught off guard" after learning that Bears quarterback Caleb Williams filed a trademark application for "Iceman," a moniker Gervin has used since his playing days prompting Gervin's public criticism. In player news, OKC guard Jalen Williams cleared another hurdle in his second game back, though the Thunder organization is managing his minutes conservatively as he regains full fitness following a two-month absence due to a hamstring injury. Furthermore, Lakers star LeBron James shared a personal moment with rapper J. Cole, bringing vinyl for the artist to sign while meeting Cole's children.