NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: April 7, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Western Conference Seeding & Star Performances

Nikola Jokic delivered a masterful performance of 35 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists, spearheading a massive fourth-quarter comeback where the Denver Nuggets erased a 16-point deficit to defeat the Blazers, securing the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket. This victory came days after Jokic outdueled Victor Wembanyama in an overtime thriller that extended Denver's winning streak to eight games, solidifying their top-four standing. Conversely, the San Antonio Spurs lost Wembanyama to a bruised rib in the second half of their win against Philadelphia, though the rookie's early-game duel with the reigning MVP provided a preview of future marquee matchups.

Eastern Conference Turmoil & Personnel Moves

The Chicago Bulls initiated a major front-office overhaul on Monday, firing both Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas and General Manager Marc Eversley, raising immediate questions about the direction of the franchise as the final week of the regular season commenced. Meanwhile, drama continues to swirl around the Milwaukee Bucks, where a lost season has amplified concerns regarding the long-term viability of the 13-year partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo, especially after the superstar referenced the team as one of the two cities he currently dislikes playing in. Adding to the league's injury news, Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham was upgraded to doubtful before ultimately being held out, though his expected return suggests the team is prioritizing his health as they aim to maintain momentum following their clinching of the East's top seed for the first time since 2007 without him on the floor.

Playoff Preparation & Injury Updates

Several teams are making final roster adjustments ahead of the postseason, with the Atlanta Hawks signing center Tony Bradley to bolster their interior presence; Bradley previously averaged 4 points and 2.8 rebounds across 38 games with the Pacers. In Dallas, Luka Doncic traveled to Spain to receive an injection for his hamstring injury, an aggressive measure taken in hopes of accelerating his return to the court for the playoffs. On the injury front in the West, Stephen Curry returned Sunday to drop 29 points in just 26 minutes against the Rockets, a performance that has given the Golden State Warriors renewed hope they can secure a spot in the play-in tournament.

Record Setting, Lottery Races, and Future Honors

The Memphis Grizzlies made history on Monday despite falling short, managing to tie the NBA single-game record by sinking an astonishing 29 three-pointers in a 142-126 home loss to the Cavaliers. As the regular season winds down, NBA insiders are examining the stakes in the final week, focusing intensely on the lottery positioning and unresolved seeding battles across both conferences. Separately, the league looked toward the future as the Class of 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame nominees were announced, headlined by Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Amar'e Stoudemire, Doc Rivers, and Mike D'Antoni. Furthermore, the race for Rookie of the Year saw a shift, with Cooper Flagg surpassing Kon Knueppel as the betting favorite after posting a near triple-double performance that included 45 points in his latest outing.