NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Apr 10, 2026
Atlanta Hawks Clinch Playoffs After Trading Trae Young
Merlin sees the Hawks punching their ticket back to the playoffs after a 124-102 win over Cleveland, moving to 46-35 and clinching their first postseason spot since 2022-23. Atlanta flipped a midseason script after trading Trae Young on Jan. 9 (they were 18-21 then) and rode breakout All-Star Jalen Johnson (22.6/10.3/7.9), a career year from Nickeil Alexander-Walker (20.9), and steady scoring from CJ McCollum to fuel a season-best 11-game win streak. Merlin notes the Hawks morphed into one of the league’s most potent offenses at 118.5 points per game and now face a test of depth and playoff composure without Young. Chemistry and scoring make them dangerous, but their true measure arrives when matchups tighten in April. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Atlanta reaching the second round: 45%.
Doc Rivers Hints Exit Amid Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks Turmoil
Merlin sees Doc Rivers on a rocky season finale in Milwaukee, calling it "very difficult" to keep the team together amid Giannis Antetokounmpo's tense absence and lingering injuries. Giannis said he wants "to f--king play," while GM Jon Horst says the star is "not cleared to play yet in a game." Rivers hinted he may step away to spend time with family, saying "I have seven grandkids now and they're all eight years and under." The Bucks, 31-49, will miss the playoffs and Rivers owns a 96-102 mark in three seasons. Merlin senses a crossroads for a Hall of Famer still under contract. Repairing the Giannis relationship could reset the franchise, but health uncertainty and fractured trust make a quick fix unlikely. Expect more negotiation and narrative shifts before the offseason fully arrives. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Doc Rivers retires or steps down after the season: 65%.
Apr 10
Hawks Celtics Knicks Fight For Playoff Seeds
The final weekend arrives with six clinching scenarios on Friday, all centered in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta and Boston can lock up division crowns with wins or favorable losses. Key games: Nuggets can grab West No. 3 if they beat OKC and the Lakers lose to Phoenix, while Clippers and Trail Blazers decide the West 8/9 spot. In the East, Hawks host Cavaliers and Raptors visit the Knicks. Cleveland trails New York by one game and would need a better final record to leapfrog them. The Knicks have a slim shot at No. 2 only if they win out and Boston drops two. Merlin sees real stakes and familiar storylines. A Hawks win would be their first division title since 2020-21, and a Raptors victory would end a playoff drought that began in 2022. The five-through-seven scramble with Atlanta, Toronto and Orlando promises high drama, and finishing fourth could be the difference between an early date with Boston or a clearer path forward. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Hawks clinching the division Friday night: 60%.
Apr 10
Lakers Cut Kobe Bufkin, Scramble For Playoff Guard
The Los Angeles Lakers waived guard Kobe Bufkin before Friday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline, freeing a roster spot as they plan to "evaluate a signing over the weekend" ahead of the playoffs. Bufkin, a 22-year-old who lit up the G League but averaged just 2.9 points in 7.4 minutes for L.A., never became a rotation piece. With Austin Reaves expected to miss four to six weeks and Luka Dončić listed out indefinitely, the Lakers’ backcourt depth is thin. Merlin sees this as smart, short-term roster work. Coach JJ Redick will need more from Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart and others, so Los Angeles will likely chase a veteran guard whose playoff experience offers steadiness over Bufkin’s upside. Expect a quick, high-floor signing to steady the ship. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Lakers sign a veteran guard before Game 1: 80%.
Apr 10
Doc Rivers Defends Resume Line For Bucks Amid Giannis Talk
Merlin sees Doc Rivers push back on a report that he told Bucks players to "Look at my résumé" after a March 1 loss. Rivers says the line was "taken out of context," explaining he was answering a player who kept citing stats and even invoked Indiana coach Curt Cignetti's "Google me" vibe. The original report said the remark was "not well-received internally" as Milwaukee finished 31-49 and Rivers sits 96-102 with the Bucks. Merlin notes Rivers' deep résumé — 1,193 career wins and a 2008 title — yet his Milwaukee run has fallen short. With Giannis limited this year and trade whispers growing, the quote feels less about ego and more about a team at a crossroads. The locker room reaction may be the truer score. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Doc Rivers is fired this offseason: 65%.
Apr 10
Celtics Might Swap Tatum or Brown for Giannis
Merlin sees Boston quietly primed to pursue Giannis if a shock playoff exit arrives. Sam Amick said the Celtics will "look at the landscape" if they lose before the conference finals, and offseason salary moves freed more than $300 million in savings that could fund a blockbuster. Still, the Tatum and Jaylen Brown pairing has flourished — Brown looks like a top-five MVP candidate and Tatum’s return helped the Celtics go 13-5 in 18 games. Merlin warns a Giannis trade would be fiendishly difficult. He is 32 soon, has an increasing injury log, and contract complexities mean Milwaukee would demand a mountain of talent and picks. Boston would risk chemistry and a proven core, so expect probing calls more than an immediate breakup — unless the Celtics truly stumble in the playoffs. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Boston trades for Giannis this offseason: 20%.
Apr 10
LeBron James Battles Hand Injury As Lakers Eye Playoffs
LeBron James revealed he is playing through a hand injury he suffered March 23 against the Pistons, telling Spectrum SportsNet "It'll be fine" and "I mean it's not fine, but I'm good." Since then he’s averaged 20.1 points on 53.1 percent shooting, 9.0 assists and 7.6 rebounds across seven games while the Lakers have gone 5-2. He missed Tuesday’s game and several teammates remain sidelined with their playoff availability uncertain. Merlin sees the team circling around one aging titan. Those efficient numbers are a good omen, but the postseason is a different test and the Lakers’ seeding battle with Denver and Houston raises the stakes for home court. If James can stay sturdy and the supporting cast returns, Los Angeles can still shape a favorable path. The regular season’s final two home games will tell more. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: ("Odds of the Lakers reaching the second round with LeBron playing through the hand injury: 50%.")
Apr 10
Terry Rozier waived by Miami Heat amid gambling investigation
Merlin sees Miami will waive Terry Rozier on Friday to free a roster spot for the play-in, per Shams Charania. Rozier was placed on administrative leave in October amid federal gambling probes, was among 34 people indicted and "pleaded not guilty" to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges; Miami acquired him from Charlotte in January 2024 for Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round pick. With Friday at 5 p.m. ET the waiver deadline and Sunday the last day to add a player, this is a pragmatic roster move. The Heat, locked into the 9-10 play-in spot, are protecting short-term depth while Rozier’s future now hinges on legal outcomes and possible league discipline. Merlin senses Miami will keep its focus on the court and let the courts decide Rozier’s fate. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Rozier signs with an NBA team this season: 10%.
Apr 10
Jaylen Brown Ja Morant Among 2026 Most Overrated NBA Stars
Merlin reads a roundup naming the 10 most overrated players of 2025-26. The list singles out stars whose reputations outpaced their impact, from Jaylen Brown — whose MVP chatter the writer calls "bonkers" — to Ja Morant’s availability and efficiency issues, Domantas Sabonis’s drop in defense and production, and Paolo Banchero, who is worse "for the fourth straight season" when on the floor. Others on the list include Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Dillon Brooks, Norman Powell, Kyle Kuzma, and Brandon Ingram. Merlin notes a common thread: past status can blind fans and media to current flaws. Some are scorers who add little else, others are declining defenders or inconsistent playmakers. Expect teams to tinker with lineups, and for narratives to shift quickly once a couple of these players have new roles or changes. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Jaylen Brown wins MVP next season: 8%.
Apr 10
NBA Draft Lottery: Dybantsa Sparks Wizards Hopes
The draft lottery still waits for May 10, but Tankathon’s simulator teases a tight race with Ausar Dybantsa nudging ahead for the top spot. Merlin notes Dybantsa oozes star potential: a toolsy big wing with three-level scoring and relentless downhill drives. The mock also paints clear fits — the Mavericks chasing Darryn Peterson beside Cooper Flagg, the Wizards eyeing a centerpiece, and several teams juggling upside versus immediate need. Merlin senses a chess game more than a coin flip. Teams will weigh injury risk, fit and timeline as much as raw talent. A Dybantsa selection reshapes Washington. A Peterson landing in Dallas accelerates a young core. Expect trades, pick swapping and frantic front-office homework before the balls stop bouncing. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Dybantsa going No. 1: 65%.
Apr 10
Celtics Jayson Tatum Laughs as Son Deuce Hates Sour Candy
Merlin sees Jayson Tatum chuckling about a viral clip of his son Deuce grimacing while trying Sour Patch Kids during the Celtics’ 112-106 loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Tatum told reporters, "Yeah, I saw it. ... Yeah, he don't really like sour candy too much, so that was pretty normal." Tatum still poured in 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in the defeat. That small, human moment softened a stingy loss. Merlin notes the Celtics remain dangerous; Tatum’s near triple double shows he carries the team nightly. Fans get a reminder that stars are parents first and competitors second, and that Boston’s fortunes will turn on bench scoring and late game defense. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: 45% chance Tatum posts another 24-plus point, 10-plus rebound game in the next five Celtics matchups.
Apr 10
Shai Gilgeous Alexander Clinches 2026 MVP, Players and Media
Merlin sees a clear favorite. In an anonymous Athletic poll of 159 players, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led MVP voting with 39 percent, followed by Nikola Jokić at 21.4 percent and Jaylen Brown, Cade Cunningham and Luka Dončić tied at 8.2 percent. Voters praised Shai for being "super consistent" while carrying a top West team through injuries. Notable quirks: Victor Wembanyama placed sixth and Cunningham may be ineligible under the 65-game rule, while Dončić has filed an extraordinary circumstances challenge. Merlin notes the split between player and media views, but both point to Shai as the frontrunner. If he wins he becomes the first repeat MVP since Jokić and the 16th multi-MVP player. The final award could still hinge on eligibility rulings and the final regular season moments. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Shai winning MVP this season: 70%.
Apr 10
Wembanyama Spurs, Thunder Top Western Contenders
With three days left, the West's playoff teams are set but seeding is unsettled, while five Eastern clubs fight for the final two spots. The Thunder and Spurs look most like Finals contenders; the defending champs have been dominant and San Antonio, led by MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama, has exceeded expectations despite questions about youth and experience. The Lakers are a wild card while Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves recover, and it is hard to see LeBron carrying an ill roster deep. Merlin sees health and poise deciding more than talent. Detroit grabbed the East's top seed but may be too green to reach the Finals. Boston has surged since Jayson Tatum returned, yet the Knicks remain a real threat. In the West, matchups will show whether the Spurs' ceiling or the Thunder's championship muscle wins out. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of San Antonio reaching the Finals this season: 40%.
Apr 10
LeBron James Erupts as Lakers Crush Warriors
LeBron James orchestrated a 119-103 win over the Warriors, finishing with 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds on 11-of-17 shooting while Bronny added 10 off the bench. The Lakers piled up 37 assists and hit 55.2 percent from three, with Deandre Ayton scoring 21 and Luke Kennard adding 14. Golden State was without Stephen Curry for knee management, and the Lakers improved to 51-29 as the Warriors fell to 37-43. Merlin sees a seasoned team clicking when LeBron controls the floor. The crowd-of-passes offense and efficient shooting suggest the Lakers can win even when bodies are missing, per the article noting injuries to Austin Reaves and, oddly, Luka Dončić. If health holds and the shot-making stays hot, Los Angeles looks poised to keep climbing. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Lakers finish with a top-4 seed in the West: 60%.
Apr 10
Stephen Curry Wears LeBron Nike Shoes During Warriors Lakers Game
Merlin sees Stephen Curry paying a quiet tribute to LeBron James by wearing LeBron's Nike LeBron X ID on the bench during Thursday’s Warriors-Lakers game. Now a shoe free agent after splitting with Under Armour, Curry has been experimenting with different brands, even warming up in Kevin Durant’s signature shoes earlier this week. LeBron called the move "Out the vault" and "super special." Curry missed the game as he rehabs a knee, and Golden State already holds a play-in spot. Off court the moment is telling. Brands will court him while he uses shoes as signals and tributes. Merlin thinks the LeBron look is part respect, part audition, and part bargaining chip for a big deal. For now Curry’s focus is the playoffs; the shoe drama will wait for the offseason. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Curry signing with Nike this offseason: 60%.
Apr 10
Luka Doncic Rehabbing Hamstring in Spain, Spirits High
Luka Dončić is in "relatively good spirits" while rehabbing a Grade 2 left hamstring strain overseas, coach JJ Redick said. Dončić went to Spain for an injection aimed to "promote healing" after the injury cost him the end of the regular season and possibly more. He was having an MVP-caliber year — 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds — and the Lakers are 50-29. Austin Reaves also suffered an oblique injury late, adding to Los Angeles’ health concerns. Merlin sees a team that looks championship ready only when whole. The procedure and positive mood are encouraging, but hamstrings are fickle and recovery timing is unclear. If Dončić returns close to form and Reaves is healthy, the Lakers can still threaten the Finals. If not, their path narrows fast. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Los Angeles reaching the NBA Finals this postseason: 35%.
Apr 10
Lakers Add Luxe Second Row Courtside Seats, Luka Doncic Out
The Lakers are adding a second row of courtside seats for the 2026 playoffs priced at "78 percent" of typical courtside tickets, roughly $15,000 to $30,000 each. The new spots keep the premium chairs and VIP club access and give fans more options since floor seats "have been sold out for the last 50 years." Still, recent injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves leave Los Angeles' postseason hopes and demand for those seats uncertain. Merlin sees this as a clever way to squeeze more gold from an ever-hungry market while offering a slightly cheaper taste of courtside life. If the Lakers stay healthy and make noise into June, the seats will vanish fast. If injuries linger, the team may face a test of whether fans buy hope or only star power. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the second-row courtside seats sell out for the 2026 playoffs: 60%.
Apr 9
LeBron Cancels Golf Amid Lakers' Doncic Reaves Injuries
Merlin sees LeBron James skip a golf date with former teammate J.R. Smith after injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Smith said, "He's like, 'Man, I can't play golf. I've got too much on my shoulders right now. If this was five years ago I would definitely play.'" Both players are expected to miss the start of the 2026 playoffs, so LeBron will shoulder a larger offensive load as the Lakers fight for Western seeding at 50-29. Merlin notes that in his 23rd season LeBron remains dangerous, averaging 20.8 points, 7.1 assists and 6.1 rebounds. With the standings tight, every game becomes a playoff rehearsal. Expect LeBron to lean on veteran craft while role players get chances to rise; depth and fatigue will be the true test of how far the team can go. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers keeping a top-4 seed: 40%.
Apr 9
Sacramento Kings' DeMar DeRozan Claps Back, Chases Shaquille O'Neal
A social post called one of DeMar DeRozan’s career stats "disturbing" and the Kings veteran shot back, writing "Disturbing!? F--k that mean? Who the hell is you to have an opinion on somebody career. Clown!" The note pointed out he needs about 18 points per game over the next 105 games to pass Shaquille O'Neal on the all-time scoring list. DeRozan sits at 26,711 points, 17th all time, and is less than 2,000 points from moving into 10th. Merlin sees a steady scorer refusing to let an online jibe rewrite his legacy. DeRozan has averaged 21.1 points across 17 seasons and never played fewer than 60 games. If health and role remain steady, the climb past Shaq is realistic, not mythical. Watch minutes and usage; those are the small spells that will decide the outcome. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of DeRozan passing Shaq within the next two seasons: 60%.
Apr 9
Stephen Curry Out, Warriors Won't Face LeBron James
Stephen Curry will not face LeBron James in any regular season game after being ruled out Thursday for right knee injury management. The Warriors host the Lakers tonight but are already locked into the No. 10 seed, meaning Curry sits to protect his knee ahead of the play-in. LeBron missed the opener with sciatica, so none of their four meetings this year featured both stars. Curry recently returned from a two month absence, scoring 29 and then 17 off the bench in back to back games, so his health is the key to Golden State’s postseason hopes. Merlin sees the squad balancing short term rest with long term chance. Golden State needs two play-in wins, starting on the road, and a cautious approach to Curry’s minutes makes sense. If his knee holds and the bench keeps producing, the Warriors can still surprise. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Warriors making the playoffs this season: 40%.
Apr 9
76ers' Joel Embiid to Undergo Appendicitis Surgery
Merlin sees Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery Thursday in Houston. He had already been ruled out for the game with an illness, and the Sixers will update his recovery timeline after the procedure. Embiid has fought injuries all season, with a minutes restriction, knee trouble and an oblique issue, and Coach Nick Nurse had hinted he was "nearing his return." When healthy he averages 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds. Merlin warns the timing is cruel. Philadelphia sits 43-36 and eighth in the East, and Tyrese Maxey has kept the team alive. An appendectomy often heals quickly, but recovery can sap minutes and rhythm, so the Sixers will need others to protect the paint while they preserve their MVP for the postseason. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Embiid misses at least the next two weeks: 75%.
Apr 9
NBA Clears Doug Christie Over Seth Curry Foul
The NBA concluded Sacramento coach Doug Christie did not intentionally foul Seth Curry late in Tuesday’s loss. The league found Christie mistakenly believed Golden State was not in the penalty and told his players to foul to stop the clock and use a timeout. The probe ruled there was no deliberate effort to give the Warriors a shooting foul or to cost the Kings the game. With Sacramento sitting 21-59 and tanking talk loud, the decision still lands amid a looming May 28 Board of Governors vote on anti-tanking proposals. Merlin sees a simple misread amplified by the season’s stakes. Draymond Green griped, "I get fined when I do wrong. Fine the hell out of people," and Christie insists, "Tanking is the last thing [I'd do]." Expect every late-game choice to feel suspect as the league pushes for clearer rules. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Board approves anti-tanking rules before the draft: 70%.
Apr 9
Brown Carries Celtics Toward Fifth Straight vs Knicks
Merlin sees a simple prize on the line. A Celtics win Thursday over the Knicks would clinch Boston a fifth straight Atlantic Division title and lock up the No. 2 seed in the East as the playoffs near. Boston (54-25) rides a four-game streak, while New York (51-28) leads the season series 2-1 after a 111-89 win in Boston on Feb. 8. Merlin notes the run is more impressive given the losses this year, including Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles and veterans like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford. Coach Joe Mazzulla steadied the ship and Jaylen Brown became the engine, posting career highs and saying, "From a financial standpoint, this was a rebuild, right? But I didn't look at it like that" and "I looked at it as an opportunity to show the world who I am." Boston looks like a favorite in the East, but depth questions remain without Tatum. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Boston beating New York Thursday and clinching the Atlantic Division: 70%.
Apr 9
Jaylen Brown Uses Astrology and Numerology to Lead Celtics
Merlin sees Jaylen Brown turning to astrology, numerology and red light therapy as part of a deliberate push to be Boston’s on-court leader while Jayson Tatum recovers from a torn Achilles. He “read and meditated,” studied teammates’ charts and numerology, and told reporters, “If it only worked 10%, it's worth it to me.” The approach coincides with Brown’s best statistical season ever, with career highs in points (28.8), rebounds (7.0) and assists (5.2), and play that has felt MVP-like at times. Merlin notes skeptics will roll their eyes, but belief shapes behavior. Whether by charts or conversation, Brown is tailoring how he leads, and that personalization can lift chemistry. Keep an eye on fatigue and how the roster reacts when normal roles return; rituals alone do not win championships, but confident rituals can steer a team through stormy seas. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jaylen Brown finishing top 10 in MVP voting this season: 35%.
Apr 9
.png)
Cooper Flagg Dominates 2025 Redraft
Front offices get high marks in this re-draft of the 2025 class. The top five remain the same names, though the order shifts: Cooper Flagg still sits atop the board, backed by rookie-level LeBron-like numbers and even LeBron calling him "obviously special." Several teams would have chosen instant fits over long-term boom or bust, with the Spurs, Sixers and Hornets facing clear choice spots and some midfirst-round surprises like Khaman Maluach and Egor Dёmin rising. Merlin sees a league that prized readiness this year. Teams leaned into players who could plug in now rather than wait for flashes to fully bloom. As seasons unfold, those choices will read either wise or cautious. Expect debates over upside versus impact to keep scouts and fans arguing into next summer. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Cooper Flagg winning Rookie of the Year: 78%.
Apr 9