NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Mar 20, 2026
Luka Doncic Drops 60 as Lakers Beat Heat
Luka Dončić poured in 60 points in the Lakers’ 134-126 win at Miami, answering Bam Adebayo’s recent 83 with a masterclass of scoring efficiency. Adebayo conceded even for Dončić "it's not easy to get 80." Dončić hit 18-of-30 from the floor, 9-of-17 from three and 15-of-19 at the line, his third 60-point game and his highest since a 73-point outing in January. The victory pushed the Lakers to an eight-game streak and a two-game cushion for the West’s No. 3 seed. Merlin sees a player in rare form: Dončić is averaging 40.9 points on 50.2 percent shooting with 8.9 rebounds and 7.4 assists during the run. Opponents will swarm and test his legs, but momentum and confidence make him a nightly confrontation that reshapes the West pecking order. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Luka scores 40+ in the next game against Orlando: 60%.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Ultimatum: Bucks Must Trade Or Extend
Merlin sees Bucks co-owner Wes Edens putting a deadline on the Giannis story. Edens reminded reporters that Giannis "is going into the last year" of his deal and warned "Either he will be extended or he'll be traded," adding "we can't afford that" to let him play out the final season. The remark turns offseason whispers into an explicit timeline for Milwaukee's front office. Merlin notes the context: heavy trade rumors swirled all season but the Bucks kept their star, so the club now must choose between a long-term commitment or extracting maximum value. If Giannis leans toward staying, expect an extension. If not, expect a high-profile move designed to replenish talent and assets. The clock is ticking and the court will decide. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being extended by Milwaukee this offseason: 60%.
Mar 20
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Luka Doncic's 60 Lights Up MVP Race
Merlin sees the NBA in its final act: contenders pulling away, tanking more aggressive than ever, and late narratives reshaping the race. Luka Dončić has stormed into the MVP conversation with a 60-point game and an eight-game tear averaging 40.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 7.4 assists. The power rankings still crown the Spurs and Thunder near the top, while the Wizards, Nets and Pacers double down on losing to chase draft riches. Merlin notes the ripples. A late Luka surge can sway voters, but Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama remain powerful shadows. The Bucks have even "approached" Giannis about a shutdown, hinting at a franchise pivot. Expect playoff seeding and draft lottery drama to decide more legacies than regular season box scores. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Luka Dončić winning MVP this season: 28%.
Mar 20
Future NBA Head Coaches Jrue Holiday Conley Crawford
Merlin sees teams tilting toward former players for head-coaching jobs. Playing experience helps but stardom can be a liability. Ideal hires are long-career role players, often point guards who studied under many coaches. The piece highlights Jamal Crawford (veteran bench scorer turned broadcaster), Jrue Holiday (two-time champion, defense-first floor general), Garrett Temple (trusted journeyman leader), Mike Conley (steady vet with deep playoff work), and Chris Quinn (undrafted guard turned top Heat assistant). Merlin notes broadcasting, journeyman resumes, and point-guard savvy keep popping up as repeat themes. Each candidate brings a clear edge and a clear flaw: Crawford’s patchy locker-room history, Holiday’s high standards, Temple’s limited playoff minutes, Conley’s calm that can read as passive, Quinn’s Heat-trained polish. Expect front offices to keep betting on patient teachers who know how to manage role players. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds one of these former players lands a head-coaching job within three seasons: 55%.
Mar 20
2026 Draft: AJ Dybantsa Favored No 1, Pacers Prefer Boozer
NBA scouts are glued to the NCAA tournament as they size up the 2026 class, and Jake Fischer names AJ Dybantsa the "leader in the clubhouse" to go No. 1. One wrinkle: rivals think Duke's Cameron Boozer would be the "preferred selection" for the Indiana Pacers because he fits beside Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac. Indiana's lottery is unusual after the Zubac trade, and questions about Darryn Peterson's health and skepticism about Boozer's athletic profile, plus Caleb Wilson's recent hand injuries, could shuffle the top of the board. Dybantsa put up 35 and 10; Boozer finished with 22 and 13. Merlin sees a draft where fit and availability will sway teams as much as upside. Lottery math and medical flags create movement potential. If the Pacers keep their pick and prioritize fit, Boozer can jump; otherwise Dybantsa’s late audition makes him the safer high-ceiling choice. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 overall: 65%.
Mar 20
AJ Dybantsa Dominates For BYU Eyes 2026 NBA Draft
AJ Dybantsa says he will wait a "couple of weeks" and talk to his family before deciding on the 2026 NBA draft, with one clear line: "My mom, mostly. She's kind of the big boss." The freshman finished BYU's season with a bang, playing all 40 minutes in the loss to Texas and posting 35 points and 10 rebounds. He led the nation at 25.5 points per game on 51 percent shooting and is widely seen as a top-three prospect, with mocks already projecting him as the No. 1 pick. Merlin sees a young star at a crossroads. Heavy minutes and elite scoring make him draft-ready, and scouts note growth in playmaking and off the arc. He is likely to leave school but still has questions about how his game will translate against pro length and defensive schemes. Expect rapid conversations and a swift declaration. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds AJ Dybantsa will declare for the 2026 NBA Draft: 95%.
Mar 20
Victor Wembanyama Buzzer Beater Sends Spurs To Playoffs
San Antonio is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019 after a 101-100 win over Phoenix, sealed by Victor Wembanyama’s jumper with one second left. The Spurs sit at 52-18 and stand out as the only team inside the top four on both offense and defense, so this is more than a feel-good return. Merlin sees a young core finally clicking. Wembanyama’s 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.0 blocks on a 62.2 true shooting mark, Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and an All-Star De’Aaron Fox give San Antonio rare two-way balance. Youth brings upside and inexperience, but the Spurs look capable of upsetting the Western pecking order. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Spurs reaching the Western Conference Finals this season: 45%.
Mar 20
LeBron James and Luka Doncic Spark Lakers' Title Hopes
LeBron James pushed back on the narrative that the Lakers are better without him, calling critics out with "It sells papers a lot easier...their team is better off without LeBron" and adding "They're absolutely wrong." He missed time with sciatica as L.A. started 10-4 without him, but is now averaging 21.4 points, 6.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds and helped fuel a run that has the Lakers 45-25 and winners of 11 of 12. Merlin sees a veteran still weaving magic when it matters. Chemistry with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves has warmed, and JJ Redick’s lineup moves look vindicated by results. The true test will be health and whether the trio can stay hot through the West’s gauntlet. The season is far from decided. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers reaching the NBA Finals this season: 22%.
Mar 20
Luka Doncic 60 Points Sends Lakers Past Heat
Merlin sees Luka Doncic go nuclear, pouring in 60 points on 60 percent shooting, 53 percent from three, plus seven rebounds and five steals to power the Lakers to a 134-126 road win over Miami. The performance snapped like lightning into the record book: Doncic broke the Lakers single-season three-point mark, and LeBron James notched a 19-15-10 triple-double in his 1,611th game. Merlin notes Los Angeles is riding an eight-game streak at 45-25, pulling away from Minnesota while chasing San Antonio for second. Miami closed it tight, but Doncic and LeBron finished the game together, scoring every basket down the stretch. Robert Parish said, "If anyone is deserving of breaking the iron man record, I would say LeBron James is." 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers reaching the Western Conference Finals this season: 45%.
Mar 20
Lakers Star LeBron James Ties Robert Parish Ironman Record
Merlin sees LeBron James has tied Robert Parish at 1,611 career games, matching the NBA record. Parish told ESPN, "If anyone is deserving of breaking the ironman record, I would say LeBron James is," praising LeBron’s work ethic and how he cares for his body. LeBron is set to pass Parish in the coming days, creating a new milestone for longevity even though injuries have interrupted parts of his career. Merlin notes this milestone is about more than a stat. It is a testament to preparation, recovery and stubborn will. Parish will always be an ironman in history, but LeBron’s climb resets expectations for how long greatness can last. Expect a low‑key, reverent moment and a record that could stand for years. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds LeBron breaks the all-time games played record this week: 99%.
Mar 20
BYU's AJ Dybantsa Tops 2026 Mock Draft
AJ Dybantsa vaulted to No. 1 on the 2026 mock draft after a breakout year at BYU, leading the nation in scoring (25.3 ppg) while boosting three-point attempts, mid-range touch, playmaking and efficiency. A surprise Round 1 NCAA exit is unlikely to scare teams off. At 6'9", about 210 pounds and just 19, he checks most boxes scouts want in a modern wing and is now seen as the safest top prospect among Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson, with a realistic draft range of the top three. Merlin sees a gifted scorer who can create his own shot, finish through contact and pull defenses out of shape. The questions are clear: off-ball craft, consistent three-point volume and full defensive impact. Many front offices already have believers. If Dybantsa sharpens those edges, he could be a foundation piece rather than a one-season wonder. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Dybantsa going No. 1 in the 2026 draft: 55%.
Mar 19
Hornets Raise Dell Curry No 30 to Rafters, Steph Attends
Dell Curry had his No. 30 retired by the Charlotte Hornets during Thursday’s game, a family moment capped by proud words from his sons. Stephen called the honor “the originator,” saying “It means the world” given Dell’s decade as the first Hornet, his broadcasting work, and community ties. Seth added, “It’s a big deal,” noting he was the last to wear No. 30 for the Hornets in 2024-25. Dell averaged 14 points, two assists, and shot 40.2 percent from three in Charlotte, the kind of steady production that earned a permanent place in the rafters. Merlin sees more than a ceremony. This retirement stitches franchise history to the present and explains why the Curry family name feels woven into Charlotte’s basketball story. The honor rewards a career and hands the next generation a tangible reminder that legacies begin with consistency and community. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Hornets retiring another franchise number in the next five years: 25%.
Mar 19
Jonathan Kuminga Seeks Long Term Deal With Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks and Jonathan Kuminga are aligned on a plan to decline his 2026-27 team option and push for an extension, NBA insider Jake Fischer reports. Kuminga said his "goal" is to help Atlanta become a consistent contender, adding "That's the goal... It starts now." The 23-year-old has played six games while managing a knee issue but flashed potential with a 27-point game as Atlanta rides an 11-game win streak into the play-in picture. Merlin sees Atlanta betting on upside over certainty. Kuminga was limited in Golden State but now gets a bigger role and runway to grow into an All Star. The risk is health and small sample size, yet the Hawks prefer to lock in a young, high-upside wing rather than chase a short term fix. Expect talks to heat up as the season ends. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Atlanta extending Kuminga this offseason: 65%.
Mar 19
LeBron Laughs After Lakers Beat Rockets, Luka 40
LeBron James reveled as teammate Luka Dončić riled the Houston crowd in the Lakers’ 124-116 win, even posting a photo of a fan giving Dončić the middle finger on his Instagram story with laughing emojis. Dončić finished with 40 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds and hit a clutch step-back three with one minute left. LeBron was nearly perfect, scoring 30 points on 13-of-14 shooting, as Los Angeles rode the performance to a seven-game win streak and a 44-25 mark, third in the Western Conference. Merlin sees a potent mix of veteran calm and electric scoring that can unsettle opponents. When LeBron is efficient and Dončić flirts with a triple-double, momentum swings quickly. The streak lifts the Lakers’ seed outlook, but sustaining it will require tougher defense and bench contributions against top Western foes. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Lakers extend the streak to eight games: 60%.
Mar 19
After Bam Adebayo 83, Kyrie Irving Jokes About Free Throws
Kyrie Irving joked that he "perhaps would have benefitted more trips to the free-throw line" after Bam Adebayo’s 83-point outburst last week. Adebayo attempted 43 free throws and made 36 while drawing heavy attention from defenses, and that volume from the line was a decisive factor in reaching 83. The exchange highlights how different scoring paths can produce historic nights. Merlin sees a lesson in the numbers. Free throws are a blunt but efficient tool, and Adebayo turned contact into points and history while defenses scrambled. Kyrie’s quip is playful, yet it nudges a larger conversation about how we judge monster performances and how coaches might adapt when a player starts getting that many foul calls. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of another 80+ point game this season: 7%.
Mar 19
Kevin Durant Says LeBron Could Play Until 45
Merlin sees Kevin Durant telling reporters LeBron "could play until he's 45 years old" after the 41-year-old poured in 30 points, hitting 13 of 14 shots in the Lakers’ win over the Rockets. James became the first player to score 30 while shooting at least 90 percent after turning 41, and he has fought through missed games and arthritis in his left foot to keep producing. Merlin notes why Durant’s belief is believable. Sharing the court with Luka Dončić opens lanes and lets LeBron finish with more dunks; he already has more dunks in 48 games this season than in 70 last year. With 23 seasons logged, health and fit will decide if he stretches that mark into a 24th and beyond. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LeBron playing until 45: 12%.
Mar 19
Victor Wembanyama Would Vote Himself MVP
Merlin sees Victor Wembanyama answering "Of course" when asked if he would vote for himself in the MVP race. He sits in a crowded conversation with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cade Cunningham, Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić, though Cunningham’s collapsed lung changes the field. Wembanyama leads the league with 3.0 blocks and averages 24.2 points and 11.1 rebounds while shooting 50.6 percent from the floor and 35.9 percent from deep. The Spurs are 51-18 and second in the West, so his case is more than talk. Merlin notes the young giant is already a two-time block champ, Rookie of the Year and two-time All Star, a true matchup nightmare on both ends. He would happily trade an MVP for deeper playoff runs, saying "Playoff basketball is still a dream for us." The award may not come this year, but many more seasons lie ahead for Wembanyama to claim it. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Wembanyama winning this season’s MVP: 25%.
Mar 19
LeBron James Bows Out of NBA Expansion Race
LeBron James said he is "not at all" interested in owning an NBA team as the league moves toward expansion votes for Seattle and Las Vegas, likely for 2028-29. Expected bids sit in the "in the $7-to-$10 billion range," and Fenway Sports Group is "not currently interested" in backing a Vegas bid. That combination makes a LeBron-led ownership push unlikely even though he holds a one percent stake in FSG and expanded his deal with them. Merlin sees the high school fan will notice a pattern. LeBron once spoke of buying in Vegas, but the price and the loss of a key backer change the math. He still has equity in big clubs through FSG, so influence without full ownership fits his craft for now. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LeBron pursuing an NBA expansion bid by 2028: 10%.
Mar 19
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Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic: Playoff Flaws
Merlin sees a Bleacher Report rundown that picks apart the single fatal flaw for each of FanDuel’s top-10 title favorites on Mar. 19. The list names things like OKC’s reliance on Shai, San Antonio’s shaky spacing around Victor Wembanyama, Boston’s thin frontcourt and rebounding, Denver’s clutch lineup questions, Cleveland’s wing defense, New York’s lack of a true No. 2 creator, Detroit’s dependence on Cade Cunningham, Houston’s lack of playmaking beyond Kevin Durant, Minnesota’s turnover-prone secondary ball-handling, and the Lakers’ uneven defensive reliability. "Make no bones about it: One of these squads will almost assuredly be the last outfit standing." Merlin warns that playoffs magnify small edges. Teams with correctable flaws can survive if role players step up or health returns, but structural problems like persistent spacing, creation, or rebounding gaps are harder to hide. Watch who can create late, who can stretch defenses, and who secures the glass; those markers will decide who crumbles and who advances. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the 2026 champion comes from today’s FanDuel top-10: 65%.
Mar 19
JJ Redick Says Watching LeBron James Makes Him a Loser
JJ Redick admitted that watching LeBron James makes him feel like "a loser" as he explained the "four-burner theory" of juggling work, health, family and friends. LeBron pushed back, saying "If he's a loser, we're all in deep s--t," after a 30-point night (13-of-14) in a 124-116 win. The Lakers are on a seven-game streak and 10 of 11, and while LeBron shows signs of decline, he still lifts the team at key moments. For Redick, postseason success is the real test to quiet questions about his tenure. Merlin sees a team aging but aligning at the right moment. LeBron can still bend single games to his will, and a hot Lakers group can cover regular season flaws. If playoff matchups fall kindly, Redick’s stock rises; if they do not, his candid honesty will not save him. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers getting past the first round this season: 65%.
Mar 19
Las Vegas and Seattle Could End NBA Divisions
Merlin sees the NBA gearing up to add Las Vegas and Seattle, with the board of governors expected to vote on a 2028-29 start. Approval would trigger realignment, likely moving Memphis to the East, and force fresh thinking on travel, scheduling quirks, and why divisions still exist. Merlin notes the geography has long been messy. The piece even calls the "obvious next step" to "scrap divisions entirely." Removing rigid divisions could cut travel, simplify tiebreakers, and let schedules follow rivalry and sense instead of outdated maps. Tradition will bristle, but the league has been nudging toward change for years. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the NBA approving Las Vegas and Seattle for 2028-29 and moving Memphis to the East: 70%.
Mar 19
Wembanyama Spurs Surge Shakes NBA Playoff Picture
Merlin sees the NBA hurtling toward the finish and a fresh round of team-by-team forecasts that respond to March’s chaos. Injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Edwards have muddled projections, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs keep outperforming, and streaks from Atlanta and Miami are forcing upward revisions. Bleacher Report’s update tweaks win totals across the board and highlights which teams are surging, which are sputtering, and which rely on single-player health. Merlin notes that these final weeks are about schedules and durability more than theory. Teams built on depth and defense look likeliest to hold seed lines, while clubs dependent on one star are vulnerable if the injuries linger. Expect late-season lineup shuffles, strategic rest, and a few surprise climbs into the playoff picture. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the San Antonio Spurs finish with 60 wins this season: 45%.
Mar 19
Luka Doncic and LeBron Power Lakers Past Rockets
Merlin sees a clever role change paying off for the Lakers. After JJ Redick called it "the best thing for our team" to have LeBron James as the "third-highest-used player," Los Angeles rode that setup to a 124-116 win in Houston. Luka Dončić finished with 40 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, while LeBron, 41, scored 30 on 13-of-14 shooting as the Lakers improved to 44-25 and stretched the streak to seven wins. Merlin notes the balance feels different. Dončić’s creation plus LeBron’s efficiency gives L.A. late-game versatility few teams can match, and Deandre Ayton’s interior presence steadies the rotation. The Rockets showed bursts but lacked a closer, and Miami will be a real check of whether this new hierarchy can carry through the grind. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Los Angeles extends its win streak at Miami: 60%.
Mar 19
Michael Jordan Hands Tracy McGrady $20,000 After Roy Jones Fight
Tracy McGrady recalled on a recent podcast that Michael Jordan once handed him "a bag of $20,000" after losing a bet on a Roy Jones Jr. vs. Antonio Tarver fight. McGrady says MJ called him over at the club, said "You got me," and paid in cash. The moment fits the familiar image of Jordan as a fierce competitor who settles scores with money and presence. Merlin sees the scene as part of Jordan lore: high stakes, public bravado, and stories that grow sweeter with time. McGrady keeps a neat trophy of a night he beat MJ at his own game, while Jordan’s Atlantic City gambling escapade before a 1991 playoff game reminds fans that risk never left him. More backstage tales will keep arriving as teammates and rivals tell their versions. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of another Michael Jordan betting anecdote surfacing this year: 75%.
Mar 19
LeBron's Vegas NBA Ownership Dream Loses Fenway Support
Fenway Sports Group is "not currently interested" in bidding for the reported Las Vegas expansion team, a blow to LeBron James, who had long eyed ownership and counted on FSG as his primary backer. LeBron, who has said "I want a team in Vegas. I want the team in Vegas," may now face a steeper path as the league eyes expansion fees reportedly as high as $8 billion and governors vote March 25 on whether to begin vetting Seattle and Vegas. Merlin sees timing and money as the true dragons here. If LeBron keeps playing into 2026-27 he cannot be an owner, valuations are sky high, and without FSG’s backing he will need new partners or patience. The door is not closed, only narrowed. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LeBron owning the Las Vegas expansion team by 2029: 20%.
Mar 18