NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: April 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Season Wrap-Up & Award Scramble

As the regular season concluded, several top contenders made strategic moves, resting key players while others ensured eligibility for postseason honors. The Nuggets rested starters in Sunday's game against the Spurs, though three-time MVP Nikola Jokic played the first half to officially qualify for season awards, joining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was among at least 168 players sidelined across the league on Friday. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama logged 40 points and 13 boards against the Mavericks, crucially hitting the 65-game threshold needed for Rookie of the Year and All-NBA consideration, while top pick favorite Cooper Flagg's rookie campaign ended prematurely after he sustained a sprained ankle in the Mavericks' finale. The Celtics cemented their high seed by tying the NBA record with 29 three-pointers in a rout of the Pelicans, clinching the East's No. 2 spot, whereas Mikal Bridges maintained his ironman status, extending his consecutive games played streak to 638 after a brief 23-second appearance for the Knicks.

Injury Updates & Roster Moves

Key playoff hopefuls dealt with late-season setbacks, casting doubt on immediate postseason readiness. Sixers superstar Joel Embiid has left the hospital in Houston and returned to Philadelphia, but the franchise offered no concrete timeline for his return to the court following his knee procedure. Out West, the Clippers opted to rest Kawhi Leonard for their regular-season closer against the Warriors; Leonard finished a largely healthy season averaging 27.9 points per game, as the team prioritized his health ahead of the high-stakes play-in tournament. On the personnel front, the Lakers fortified their backcourt depth by agreeing to a new two-year contract with guard Nick Smith Jr. as both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves remained sidelined, while the Heat made a significant procedural move, waiving guard Terry Rozier, who has been on leave since October amid a sports gambling investigation, and filling the roster spot with J. Young was confirmed officially.

Coaching Uncertainty & Future Outlooks

With the playoff bracket solidifying, organizational focus immediately shifted to the coaching carousel and long-term strategic planning for non-contenders. Both the Milwaukee Bucks and the New Orleans Pelicans are actively searching for new long-term coaching fits, initiating a critical offseason evaluation period for both franchises as the search commences. In Sacramento, sources confirmed that the Kings organization will retain Doug Christie for the upcoming season, signaling stability in their coaching structure for the next campaign. to the summer, franchises that missed the postseason, including Milwaukee and Dallas, face tough decisions regarding draft strategy and free agency targets as the offseason looms, all while teams like the Thunder, Spurs, and Celtics are already being analyzed for their projected 2026 title chances in early postseason previews.

Star Player Commentary & Fan Engagement

Star player sentiment provided dramatic headlines as the season ended, punctuated by a major fan moment in Minnesota. Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed deep frustration regarding the team’s performance trajectory this year, yet he offered mixed signals about his commitment, stating he would not rule out a return to Milwaukee next season despite his current displeasure with the team's direction. Separately, Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett received an enthusiastic reception during the team’s fan appreciation finale on Sunday, where he acknowledged the crowd’s energy after the game by patting his heart. Meanwhile, Lakers coach JJ Redick suggested that opposing teams in the West might actually prefer facing the currently hobbled Lakers squad in the opening round of the playoffs over other potential matchups, and interestingly, league-wide engagement is shifting, with players increasingly spending time working on chess boards rather than focusing solely on basketball rebounding drills as a mental exercise.