NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: March 27, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

League Governance & Expansion Outlook

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the league is prepared to combat organizational tanking "full stop," indicating fundamental changes to the draft structure are forthcoming to curb the practice. Concurrently, the league's board of governors formally voted to explore bids for expansion franchises exclusively targeting Las Vegas and Seattle markets, suggesting a tangible pathway toward league growth. Insiders suggest that along with expansion planning, there is growing internal buzz surrounding the San Antonio Spurs' trajectory, driven by the phenomenal play of Victor Wembanyama, who reportedly "breaks all the rules" according to league sources.

Player Milestones & MVP Discussions

The MVP conversation surrounding Victor Wembanyama generated varied reactions across the league, with Draymond Green admitting he both "hated" and "absolutely loved" the Spurs center's self-promotion regarding his candidacy. Meanwhile, the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic nearly authored a historic triple-double on Wednesday night, tallying 23 points, 21 rebounds, and 19 assists, while teammate Jamal Murray erupted for 53 points to secure a crucial victory over the Mavericks. In Eastern Conference action, Joel Embiid powered the 76ers with 35 points in his successful return from injury, pairing with Paul George, who contributed 28 points in his first game back following a 25-game suspension to dispatch the Bulls.

Injury Updates & Playoff Seeding Shakes

The injury front saw several key players ruled out for the remainder of the season, severely impacting team outlooks as the regular season winds down. The Chicago Bulls confirmed that guard Jaden Ivey and forward Jalen Smith will miss the rest of the year due to ongoing ailments, while the Memphis Grizzlies officially ended Ja Morant's season after diagnosing an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow; however, Morant is anticipated to be fully recovered for the start of the 2026-27 campaign following the layoff. Adding to the injury woes, Golden State's Moses Moody was diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, ending his year as well.

Team Performance & Rookie Race Confirmation

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 decisive third quarter—defeated them 119-109. Despite this setback, OKC remains highly ranked, illustrating the general strength of the top teams, though Boston represents a significant wild card heading into the playoffs, according to recent insider rankings that place the Thunder atop the league. Separately, the race for the Rookie of the Year award appears nearly settled, with updated rankings suggesting the top contender has established an insurmountable lead with only a few weeks remaining, even as OKC's Jalen Williams cautiously manages his minutes in his second game back from a two-month hamstring absence to ensure full conditioning.

Off-Court Matters & Player Interactions

In an unusual crossover, former NBA great George Gervin expressed surprise after learning that Bears quarterback Caleb Williams filed a trademark application for "Iceman," a nickname Gervin has owned since his playing career. Meanwhile, on a lighter note, LeBron James met with rapper J. Cole when the Lakers star delivered a copy of Cole’s latest vinyl, "The Fall-Off," for the musician to sign while James spent time with Cole's children. Finally, fantasy managers are monitoring emerging trends, such as projected trade targets, as Eric Moody analyzed potential 'pick up of the year' candidates ahead of the fantasy basketball playoffs.