NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: April 13, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

NBA Postseason Positioning & Player Health

With the regular season concluding, teams finalized seeding while managing key player health ahead of the play-in tournament, leading to mixed results across Sunday's slate. The Celtics tied an NBA record by sinking 29 three-pointers, cruising past the Pelicans to secure the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed decisively. Conversely, the Clippers rested Kawhi Leonard in their finale against the Warriors, prioritizing his health after he averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists during a relatively healthy campaign, all in preparation for the upcoming play-in action. Meanwhile, the Nuggets ensured Nikola Jokic qualified for his postseason awards by having him play at least the first half against the Spurs, even as they rested the majority of their rotation for the contest.

Injury management extended across the league, impacting several stars' final appearances and future availability. Luka Doncic is set to return to L.A. on Friday from Spain, where he received multiple injections for the Grade 2 left hamstring strain that has hampered his late-season push. In Indiana, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton revealed the frustrating extent of his physical setbacks, detailing how his battle with shingles slowed the recovery timeline for his torn Achilles tendon. Furthermore, the Mavericks faced internal disruption as they dismissed director of health Johann Bilsborough on Monday, marking the fourth consecutive year the franchise has made significant staffing changes within that department following a season that saw injuries affect key players.

Offseason Outlooks & Personnel Moves

As teams face the offseason, coaching searches and player futures dominate the discussion, particularly for franchises that missed the postseason or underperformed expectations. The Bucks are now searching for a coach, though Giannis Antetokounmpo offered conflicting sentiments about his tenure, expressing deep frustration with the team's current standing while simultaneously refusing to rule out a return to Milwaukee next season. In the Western Conference, the Kings are reportedly finalizing continuity by choosing to retain coach Doug Christie for the upcoming year, aiming for stability. Elsewhere, the Lakers bolstered their backcourt depth by signing two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. to a new two-year contract, a move made necessary while Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined them, according to his agent.

Franchises are also dealing with immediate departures and commitments following the regular season's end. Star UNC freshman Caleb Wilson officially declared for the NBA draft, concluding his collegiate career after what he described as "the most fun year of my life" in Chapel Hill. On the player commitment front, Anthony Davis stated his intention to help the Wizards "compete" in the immediate future, though he remains unsure of his long-term future with the Washington franchise. to the 2026 cycle, extensive preview coverage is already mapping out the draft, free agency, and trade targets for the ten teams that failed to reach the postseason this year.

Player Milestones & League Happenings

Despite the focus on the future, several players achieved notable milestones or experienced significant on-court moments in the final days of the regular season. Victor Wembanyama successfully checked the 65-game threshold for awards eligibility following a dominant 40-point performance that included 13 rebounds in a win over Dallas. Mikal Bridges managed to extend his consecutive games played streak to 638 in the season finale, though his contribution was brief, playing only 23 seconds before exiting the Knicks' matchup. Meanwhile, the league continues to see widespread load management, with reports indicating that no fewer than 168 players, including MVP candidates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, were held out of Friday's contests across the NBA-wide slate.

Off the court, personal reflections and unique league features provided color to the final stretch. Zion Williamson acknowledged achieving one of his healthiest NBA seasons but insisted he is targeting a "different summer" focused on intense training to elevate both himself and the Pelicans to the next level. In a lighter development, NBA players have developed a new obsession with a particular 64-square board game, indicating that players are spending more time working on strategy away from the court than ever before. Furthermore, the league celebrated historic moments, with retrospective pieces recalling Kobe Bryant's legendary 60-point farewell game, where observers noted he turned into the Black Mamba during his final appearance.

League Operations & Cultural Notes

League operations saw a promotion recognized in the officiating ranks, while team ambiance provided unexpected entertainment. Referee Natalie Sago achieved a milestone, becoming only the third woman selected to referee in NBA playoff history. In Toronto, the Raptors leaned into the cultural buzz surrounding the team, implementing a pregame makeover for the courtside seats, reportedly for the rollout of Canadian rapper Drake's new album, "Iceman." Looking back at franchise history, Timberwolves icon Kevin Garnett received an emotional ovation from the crowd during his appearance for fan appreciation night, prompting him to pat his heart with gratitude. Finally, Lakers coach JJ Redick suggested that other Western Conference teams, still fighting for playoff seeding, would prefer facing the hobbled Lakers squad as their first-round opponent rather than risk a tougher matchup elsewhere.