NBA Basketball 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 16, 2026, 1:30 PM ET
NBA Ownership & Expansion
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is advancing toward securing full control of the franchise, entering confidential binding mediation that could see him purchase the minority owners' remaining 13% stake, potentially raising his total ownership to 96%. Concurrently, league expansion appears imminent, with internal discussions detailing how a new expansion draft might function should the NBA officially welcome new franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas.
Player Recovery & Performance
Lakers guard Marcus Smart is driving his team’s upward trajectory in the Western Conference standings, demonstrating a remarkable return after suffering a severe self-inflicted hand injury that required extensive recovery. Smart’s ability to immediately contribute after the near-career-ending incident involving glass in his hand has provided a significant emotional and statistical lift to the club’s playoff push.