NBA Basketball 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 18, 2026, 12:30 AM ET
NBA Injury Woes Deepen for Contenders
A string of significant injuries across the league has dealt major setbacks to playoff aspirations, beginning with Milwaukee's star MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo facing at least one week sidelined after tests confirmed a bone bruise and a hyperextended left knee. Compounding the Eastern Conference concerns, Detroit guard Cade Cunningham, considered an MVP candidate this season, was forced from Tuesday's matchup against Washington due to acute back spasms. Out West, Minnesota's Anthony Edwards will also miss subsequent games after an MRI revealed inflammation in his right knee, leading to an expected absence of one to two weeks while he undergoes reassessment.
The Memphis Grizzlies suffered dual blows as the team announced that guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and forward Santi Aldama both underwent season-ending surgeries on Tuesday. This news effectively concludes the campaigns for both players and further complicates the outlook for the non-contending Grizzlies roster heading into the final stretch of the regular season. These medical updates across multiple franchises underscore the fragile nature of elite team building as the postseason approaches.