NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Apr 15, 2026
Heat Will Pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo Again
The Heat are expected to chase another star this offseason, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is high on Pat Riley’s list. ESPN’s Shams Charania said Miami offered Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, and draft picks for Giannis at the deadline, but Milwaukee chose not to move him. Miami has landed in the Play-In Tournament again and still needs more help next to Bam Adebayo. The Heat will have competition if Giannis becomes available, and other teams may have stronger trade packages. Still, Riley is expected to check in on Giannis and any other star who hits the market. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Miami makes a serious Giannis push, but Milwaukee asks for more than the Heat can offer.
LaMelo Ball's MB.05 LO Drops May 15
LaMelo Ball’s new Puma MB.05 LO drops May 15 for $120. The low-cut shoe comes in bright yellow and acid green, built around Melo’s quick, flashy style on the court. LaMelo is also trying to push Charlotte into its first playoff trip since 2016. He had 30 points, 10 assists, and the game-winning layup in Tuesday’s 127-126 overtime win over Miami. The Hornets now need one more win against the loser of Orlando vs. Philadelphia. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: LaMelo drops another big game and gets Charlotte into the playoffs.
Apr 15
Doc Rivers Won't Return To Bucks
Doc Rivers won’t return as Bucks coach, but he said Sunday he hopes things end well for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee. “Giannis and this franchise won a title together,” Rivers said. “That should never be lost no matter how this ends up.” Giannis has reportedly told the Bucks he’s ready to be traded after frustration over the team’s title outlook and being shut down late in the season. Rivers hasn’t decided whether he’ll retire or coach again. Shams Charania reported Milwaukee will pay him his eight-figure salary for 2026-27, and the sides are discussing an advisory role. Rivers said, “It’s too early to reflect,” after a season that “didn’t go the way I wanted it to go.” 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Giannis trade talks are about to get a lot more serious this summer.
Apr 15
Lonzo Ball Defends LaMelo After Bam Incident
LaMelo Ball is under NBA review after Bam Adebayo fell on Tuesday night, then left Charlotte’s 127-126 overtime Play-In win with a back injury. Ball appeared to grab Adebayo’s ankle on the play. He apologized afterward, saying, “I got hit in the head, didn't really know where I was.” Erik Spoelstra said Ball should’ve been ejected and called it “a dangerous play.” Lonzo Ball fired back after Nick Wright called LaMelo a “clown,” while Wright stood by it. Officials said they couldn’t review the play because the ball stayed live. Chris Haynes said he’d be “surprised” if LaMelo is suspended for Friday’s game against the 76ers or Magic. Charlotte needs that win to claim the No. 8 seed and face Detroit. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: LaMelo plays Friday, and the Hornets get a loud road crowd no matter where they go.
Apr 15
Victor Wembanyama Backs 65 Game Rule
Victor Wembanyama dropped 40 points and 13 rebounds in 26 minutes as the Spurs beat the Mavericks on Friday. He also spent two minutes breaking down the NBA’s 65-game awards rule, saying it would be “unfair” to drop it this season. Wembanyama said 75 percent of 82 games is 61.5, and he thinks that would be a fair cutoff. Luka Dončić played 64 games but filed an “Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge” after missing two December games for the birth of his child. An independent arbitrator will hear the case early next week. Wembanyama has met the minutes requirement for awards, while San Antonio heads into Sunday’s Denver game as the West’s No. 2 seed with 62 wins. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Luka gets cleared for awards, and Wembanyama’s MVP case stays loud into the playoffs.
Apr 11
Hawks Clinch Playoffs, East Seeds Still Open
The final day of the regular season still has a few seeds up for grabs. Atlanta clinched the Southeast Division and a playoff spot by beating Cleveland, while Boston locked up the Atlantic Division against New Orleans. Charlotte is headed to the play-in after losing to Detroit. Toronto can clinch a playoff spot by beating Brooklyn, but a loss could send the Raptors down to the No. 8 play-in spot if Orlando and Philadelphia both win. Portland can grab the West's No. 8 seed by beating Sacramento, which would set up Clippers vs. Warriors in the 9-10 game. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Toronto gets the win over Brooklyn and avoids the play-in.
Apr 11
NBA Playoff Seeds Still Up for Grabs
The East has one Sunday race left: Atlanta can lock up No. 5 with a win over Miami, while Toronto can hold No. 6 with a win over Brooklyn. Orlando owns the same record as Toronto, and Philadelphia needs a win over Milwaukee plus losses from Toronto and Orlando to avoid the play-in. Out West, all 10 postseason teams are set, but Denver and the Lakers are still fighting for No. 3. Portland grabbed the No. 8 spot by beating the Clippers 116-97 and can stay there with a win over Sacramento. The Lakers beat Phoenix 101-73 without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, but they need to beat Utah and have Denver lose to San Antonio to jump the Nuggets. Sunday decides the last brackets before the play-in starts. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Denver holds No. 3, while Toronto and Atlanta lock in the East’s final top-six spots.
Apr 11
SGA, Wemby Lead 2026 NBA Award Picks
The NBA awards are almost here, and several picks look close to settled. The predictions: Onsi Saleh for Executive of the Year, J.B. Bickerstaff for Coach of the Year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Clutch Player and MVP, Nickeil Alexander-Walker for Most Improved, Keldon Johnson for Sixth Man, Victor Wembanyama for Defensive Player of the Year, and Cooper Flagg for Rookie of the Year. The closest call is Flagg versus Kon Knueppel. Knueppel has helped Charlotte win big, but Flagg's 96 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists over two games, including 51 and 45-point performances, could swing it. SGA's case looks strongest of all after another huge season for Oklahoma City. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Flagg wins Rookie of the Year, but Knueppel gets plenty of first-place votes.
Apr 11
Five NBA Coaches On Hot Seats
Doug Christie, Brian Keefe, Jamahl Mosley, Nick Nurse and Doc Rivers are facing real heat as the 2025-26 season winds down. Sacramento was investigated for tanking but avoided punishment, while Marc J. Spears reported a "disconnect" between some Kings veterans and Christie’s staff. Orlando reportedly considered Michael Malone before he took the North Carolina job, per ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel. ESPN's Shams Charania also reported locker-room issues around Rivers in Milwaukee. The pressure is different in every spot. Washington has Anthony Davis, Trae Young and bigger playoff hopes now. Philly still hasn’t won a series under Nurse. Orlando gave up major assets for Desmond Bane and hasn’t taken the leap. Milwaukee’s season has left Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future and Rivers’ job looking shaky. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Rivers is the most likely of this group to be gone before next season starts.
Apr 11
Redick Says Teams Want Lakers Without Luka
JJ Redick said it plainly before the Lakers faced the Suns: “I'm sure everybody wants to play us, let's get that out there. Everybody wants to play us.” Luka Dončić is out with a Grade 2 hamstring strain suffered April 2 against Oklahoma City, while Austin Reaves has a Grade 2 left oblique injury and was expected to miss four to six weeks, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The Lakers are leaning harder on LeBron James with two major ball-handlers sidelined. They're currently lined up to face the Houston Rockets in the first round, and the final two games will decide home-court advantage. Redick said the team has to find “the formula and the belief” to win with this group. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: LeBron gets the Lakers at least one playoff win, but Houston’s depth will make this a long series.
Apr 11
Stephen Curry Wears Jason Williams Nike PEs
Stephen Curry wore yellow Nike Zoom Hyperflight PEs for Friday’s road game against the Sacramento Kings, a nod to Jason Williams. Footwear reporter Nick DePaula shared the sneaker detail. Williams signed a new Nike deal in February, and his purple and black Hyperflight PE got a retail re-release in 2026. Curry has been mixing up his shoes since ending his Under Armour partnership last November. More than 70 pairs from his sneaker free agency will hit a Sotheby’s auction starting Sunday. After missing Thursday’s Lakers game for knee management, Stephen returned against Sacramento as Golden State prepares for the play-in. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Curry’s sneaker rotation will stay wild, but the Warriors’ two road play-in games are the real test.
Apr 11
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Lakers, Nuggets Chase Top Three Seeds
Sunday decides the last East and West seeds. Atlanta can lock up No. 5 by beating Miami, while Toronto can secure No. 6 against Brooklyn. Orlando, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Miami, Portland, Denver, and the Lakers all still have something to play for. Portland controls No. 8 with a win over Sacramento, and Denver holds No. 3 with a win over San Antonio. Boston, New York, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City are already set near the top, so rest could shape several games. The Lakers can climb to No. 3 if they beat Utah and Denver loses. Miami needs a win over Atlanta plus a Charlotte loss to reach the No. 9 spot and host a play-in game. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Portland beats Sacramento and heads to Phoenix as the West’s No. 8 seed.
Apr 11
Nikola Jokic Out, Needs One More Game
Nikola Jokić was ruled out Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, leaving him at 64 games played. He needs to appear in Denver’s regular-season finale against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday to meet the NBA’s 65-game requirement for awards. Jokić is averaging 27.8 points, an NBA-best 12.9 rebounds and 10.9 assists while shooting 56.9 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three. Denver is 52-28 and holds the No. 3 seed, just one game ahead of the Lakers and Rockets. Jokić has criticized the rule before, saying it can force injured players onto the court. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Jokić plays Sunday, hits 65 games, and Denver locks in a top-three West seed.
Apr 10
Hawks Clinch Playoff Spot After Cavs Win
The Hawks are back in the playoffs after beating the Cavaliers 124-102 on Friday. Atlanta is 46-35 and clinched its first postseason spot since 2022-23. The turnaround came after Trae Young was traded to the Wizards on Jan. 9, when the Hawks were 18-21. Jalen Johnson led the way with 22.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists in 72 games. Nickeil Alexander-Walker jumped to 20.9 points per game, while CJ McCollum has added 18.4 since arriving in the trade. Atlanta plays Miami on Sunday before opening the playoffs April 18 or April 19. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Atlanta steals at least one playoff game with its offense getting hot.
Apr 10
Doc Rivers Opens Up on Bucks Struggles
Doc Rivers said it’s been “very difficult” keeping the Bucks together as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s health situation stays public. Giannis said he wants “to f--king play” and supports an NBA investigation, while Jon Horst told Eric Nehm he’s “not cleared to play yet in a game.” Milwaukee is 31-49 and will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16, with two games left starting Friday against Brooklyn. Rivers, who has one year left on his deal, also hinted he may step away to spend more time with his seven grandkids. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Doc coaches Milwaukee’s final two games, then the Bucks head into a big offseason with major questions around both Doc and Giannis.
Apr 10
Hawks, Celtics Can Clinch Division Titles
Friday’s 15-game NBA slate has six clinching scenarios, all in the East. The Hawks can win their first division title since 2020-21 by beating Cleveland. Toronto can lock up its first playoff berth since 2021-22 with a win over New York. Atlanta, Toronto, and Orlando are separated by one game in the race for seeds five through seven. Cleveland is 51-29 and chasing New York, 52-28, for the No. 3 seed, but the Knicks own the tiebreaker. Denver can grab No. 3 in the West with a win over Oklahoma City and a Lakers loss to Phoenix. The Clippers and Trail Blazers are still fighting over the No. 8 and No. 9 play-in spots. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Atlanta gets the win over Cleveland and hangs another division banner.
Apr 10
Lakers Waive Kobe Bufkin Before Playoffs
The Lakers are waiving Kobe Bufkin, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday. ESPN’s Bobby Marks said Friday at 5 p.m. ET was the deadline to waive a player on an expiring contract. Bufkin played 16 games for L.A., averaging 2.9 points in 7.4 minutes after putting up 27.7 points per game with South Bay. The move opens a roster spot, and Charania says the Lakers plan to “evaluate a signing over the weekend” before the playoffs start next week. L.A. is the No. 4 seed and lined up to face the No. 5 Rockets, but Luka Dončić is out indefinitely with a strained hamstring and Austin Reaves is expected to miss four to six weeks with a Grade 2 left oblique injury. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: The Lakers add a veteran guard before the playoffs, with Spencer Dinwiddie or Delon Wright making sense.
Apr 10
Doc Rivers Clarifies Bucks Resume Comments
Doc Rivers said his “Look at my résumé” comment was taken out of context after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported it came during a Bucks meeting following a March 1 blowout loss to the Bulls. Rivers said he was responding to a player talking about his stats, referencing Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti’s “I win. Google me” line. Rivers has a 1,193-865 regular-season coaching record, 21 playoff trips, and the 2008 title with Boston. But Milwaukee went 96-102 under him, missed the postseason at 31-49 this year, and went 17-19 when Giannis Antetokounmpo played. With Giannis possibly headed for a trade, the Bucks could be looking at a bigger reset. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: If Giannis gets traded, Doc won’t be the only major change in Milwaukee.
Apr 10
Celtics Could Target Giannis After Early Exit
Sam Amick said on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back that the Celtics could “look at the landscape” for Giannis Antetokounmpo if they lose before the Eastern Conference finals. Boston is likely headed for the No. 2 seed despite Jayson Tatum missing four months, and the team is 13-3 in games he’s played since returning March 6. Jaylen Brown showed he can lead the offense and could finish top five in MVP voting. Still, another early exit after last year’s second-round loss to the Knicks could force Boston to consider a bigger move. Giannis is averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, but he’s played only 36 games and has dealt with knee, calf, foot, and groin injuries since January 2025. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Boston keeps Tatum and Brown unless Giannis makes it clear he wants out.
Apr 10
LeBron James Playing Through Hand Injury
LeBron James says he’s playing through a hand injury he suffered against the Detroit Pistons on March 23. He told Spectrum SportsNet’s Allie Clifton he feels it when it gets hit, but after Thursday’s win over Golden State, LeBron said, “It’ll be fine. I mean it’s not fine, but I’m good.” Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are also out, with their first-round status unknown. LeBron has still put up 20.1 points, 9.0 assists and 7.6 rebounds over the last seven games, and the Lakers are 5-2 in that stretch. They’re tied with Houston for the No. 4 seed and own the tiebreaker, while sitting one game behind Denver for No. 3. Phoenix visits Friday, then Utah comes in Sunday. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: LeBron plays both games, and the Lakers finish with home-court advantage in the first round.
Apr 10
Heat Waive Terry Rozier Before Play In
The Miami Heat will waive Terry Rozier on Friday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports, opening a roster spot before next week’s play-in tournament. Rozier has been on NBA administrative leave since October amid a federal gambling investigation. He pleaded not guilty in December to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. Miami got Rozier from Charlotte in January 2024 for Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round pick. He played 95 games for the Heat over two seasons. Bobby Marks reports Friday at 5 p.m. ET is the deadline to waive players on expiring deals, and Miami’s next signing deadline is Sunday. The Heat are currently No. 10 and locked into the 9-10 play-in game. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Miami uses that open spot on a player who can help right away in the play-in.
Apr 10
Brandon Ingram Tops Overrated Players List
The 2025-26 season is almost over, and not every big name lived up to the hype. This list calls out Jaylen Brown, Kyle Kuzma, Ja Morant, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, Domantas Sabonis, Dillon Brooks, Paolo Banchero, Norman Powell and Brandon Ingram as the league’s most overrated players. The main knock is impact. Brown’s MVP talk doesn’t match his efficiency or Boston’s on-off numbers. Morant has played just 79 games over the last three years. Banchero and Ingram put up points, but their teams have often been better with them off the floor. Ingram lands at No. 1 despite Toronto’s playoff push, with Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and Sandro Mamukelashvili getting much of the credit. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Banchero gets the biggest chance to flip this conversation next season.
Apr 10
Wizards Land AJ Dybantsa in Mock Draft
The draft lottery is still weeks away, but this Tankathon simulation has the Wizards landing AJ Dybantsa at No. 1, followed by Darryn Peterson to Dallas and Cameron Boozer to Atlanta. Utah gets Caleb Wilson at No. 4, while the Clippers take Brayden Wagler at No. 5. Washington’s Dybantsa pick would pair a top scorer with its new Anthony Davis and Trae Young core. Dallas adding Peterson next to Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving would be a huge boost, if Peterson stays healthy. The real lottery is Sunday, May 10, so none of these slots are locked in yet. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Dallas will be hoping those ping-pong balls bounce its way again.
Apr 10
Jayson Tatum Reacts to Deuce Sour Candy Video
Jayson Tatum laughed off the viral clip of his son Deuce making a painful face while eating Sour Patch Kids during Thursday’s Celtics-Knicks game. “Yeah, I saw it,” Tatum said. “He don't really like sour candy too much, so that was pretty normal.” Tatum had 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, but Boston lost 112-106 to New York at Madison Square Garden. It was only the Celtics’ second loss in their past nine games. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Deuce is staying far away from sour candy at the next Celtics game.
Apr 10
Shai Gilgeous Alexander Leads Player MVP Poll
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear MVP favorite in a new anonymous player poll from The Athletic. He got 39 percent of the vote from 159 players, ahead of Nikola Jokić at 21.4 percent. Jaylen Brown, Cade Cunningham, and Luka Dončić tied for third at 8.2 percent. One player praised Shai’s consistency while Oklahoma City has dealt with injuries and stayed No. 1 in the West. The media is leaning the same way. Shai also led ESPN’s April 3 straw poll by Tim Bontemps, though Victor Wembanyama ranked second there and sixth in the player poll at five percent. Cunningham has played 62 games with two left, so he won’t qualify under the 65-game rule. Dončić could still qualify through an extraordinary circumstances challenge. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Shai takes home another MVP and joins Jokić as the latest repeat winner.
Apr 10