NBA Basketball 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 16, 2026, 2:30 PM ET
NBA Ownership & League Expansion
Suns majority stake acquisition talks are progressing toward a binding mediation, where Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia seeks to purchase the remaining 13% ownership held by minority partners, potentially consolidating his control. This internal maneuver coincides with mounting external pressure as the NBA appears closer to formal expansion, with Seattle and Las Vegas remaining the prime candidates for the next two franchises, including discussions over how a potential expansion draft might be structured for new teams.
Player Recovery & Team Performance
Lakers guard Marcus Smart, recovering from a severe self-inflicted hand injury involving glass fragments, is reportedly fueling the team's recent surge up the Western Conference standings. Smart's remarkable return after nearly losing the use of his right hand demonstrates significant personal fortitude as the Lakers push hard for playoff seeding in the competitive West.