NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Mar 11, 2026
Bam Adebayo 83 Sparks Ranking Of 70 Point Games
Merlin sees Bam Adebayo erupt for 83 points Tuesday, a feat that reopened debate over the night's ethics more than the score itself. The piece ranked all 16 NBA 70-plus games using five factors — margin of victory, assists, minutes, free-throw volume and efficiency — and flags Bam’s line: 42 minutes, 20-of-43 FGA, 36-of-43 FTA, 3 assists. Critics cited intentional fouling and Bam staying in after the game was decided, yet the story also concedes, "83 is 83." Merlin knows the list blends data and judgment. Wilt appears often, Kobe ranks high, and Luka’s 73 tops the chart for efficiency plus team need. Bam’s night sits as a dazzling outlier that will fuel talks on late-game fouling, era comparisons and sportsmanship — all while honoring a rare performance. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the NBA changes rules on intentional fouling or free-throw access this season: 12%.
Bam Adebayo Drops 83 Points, Jordan Congratulates
Merlin sees a night carved into the record books: Bam Adebayo poured in 83 points in Miami’s 150-129 win over Washington, the second-most in NBA history and ahead of Kobe Bryant’s 81. He scored 31 in the first quarter, had 43 by halftime, finished with nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks, and set an NBA single-game mark with 36 made free throws on 43 attempts. After the game Adebayo said Michael Jordan told him "Just congratulations," short and sweet. Merlin notes the shock comes from how far this ran ahead of Bam’s 18.9 points per game average and 41-point career high. It was a perfect storm of rhythm, fouls and opportunity that will force teams to rethink guarding him and how Miami builds around him. Whether it becomes a new chapter or a lone legend depends on usage and stamina. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Adebayo averaging 30+ points this season: 3%.
Mar 11
Bam Adebayo Scores 83, Heat Dismantle Wizards
Merlin sees Bam Adebayo erupt for 83 points in Miami’s 150-129 win over Washington, the second-highest total in NBA history after Wilt’s 100 and ahead of Kobe’s 81. Adebayo was 20-of-43, 7-of-22 from three and made 36 of 43 free throws, a stat that prompted Ime Udoka to ask, "How?" and say, "40 free throws or something like that, tells the story right there." The night pushed the Heat to a six-game streak and a 37-29 mark. Merlin notes a rare mix of magic and matchup luck. JJ Redick called it "incredible" while calling the final minutes "a different type of basketball." Adebayo called the night "a mark in history" and said, "I didn't think it was going to be 83." Expect debates to follow as Miami heads to Milwaukee and the wider legacy questions settle. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Adebayo scores 50+ again this season: 12%.
Mar 11
Miami Heat Sell Bam Adebayo 83 Point Jerseys
Merlin sees the Miami Heat turning Bam Adebayo’s 83-point explosion into an event. The team is selling $83 jerseys and custom No. 83 shirts after Adebayo passed Kobe Bryant for the second-highest single-game total. He finished 20-of-43 from the field, 7-of-22 from three and an NBA record 36-of-43 from the foul line in a 150-129 win over Washington. Merlin notes the history around the night: Kobe’s 81 and Wilt’s 100 still loom, but the free throw records and sheer volume make this moment special. Expect a marketing rush and renewed respect around Adebayo, though defenses will adjust and the Heat will need consistency to turn one magical outing into a season-long story. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Heat selling out No. 83 jerseys within 48 hours: 85%.
Mar 11
Bam Adebayo Drops 83, Sends Heat Soaring
Bam Adebayo exploded for 83 points in the Heat’s 150-129 win over Washington, becoming only the third player in NBA history to reach 80-plus and the second-highest single-game total ever. He poured in 31 in the first quarter, had 62 through three, and finished 20-of-43 from the field and 36-of-43 from the line. Adebayo even recreated Wilt’s famous photo and captioned it "Wilt. Me. Kobe." The victory pushed Miami to 37-29 and a six-game streak that moved them into sixth in the East. Merlin sees a moment that can change how teams guard Adebayo and how Miami builds around him. Spoelstra letting him close the fourth showed trust and revealed scoring room for a player long seen mainly as a defensive anchor. The trick now is balance. Can the Heat protect his body and find consistent help? 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Adebayo winning MVP this season: 7%.
Mar 11
Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo Scores 83, Sparks Wizards Fury
Bam Adebayo erupted for 83 points in Miami’s 150-129 win over Washington, passing Kobe Bryant’s 81. He shot 20-for-43, 7-for-22 from deep, and set NBA marks with 43 free throw attempts and 36 makes. Wizards coach Brian Keefe complained, "In the fourth quarter, it turned into not a real basketball game," accusing Miami of keeping Adebayo in and drawing fouls. Adebayo thanked Erik Spoelstra "for drawing up plays for me," and Spoelstra said he kept him in once he hit 50 to chase Kobe’s mark. Merlin sees a brilliant night that will be remembered and argued about in equal measure. Wilt’s 100 still stands alone, but Adebayo’s 83 reshapes the modern scoring ledger. The performance boosts his legacy, yet the heavy whistle and coaching choices invite league scrutiny and a wider conversation about chasing milestones in blowouts. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the NBA reviews the officiating and issues guidance: 60%.
Mar 11
Damian Lillard Amazed by Heat's Bam Adebayo 83 Points
Bam Adebayo erupted for 83 points against the Wizards, the second-highest single-game total in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain, and passed Kobe Bryant on the list. Damian Lillard reacted on the Trail Blazers broadcast, recalling a 2020 Olympics chat when Bam told him he was "trying to average 30." Lillard asked, "You think you're a 30-point-per-game scorer like that?" and jokingly called A'ja Wilson to ask, "You been training this dude?" Merlin smells both wonder and reason. An 83-point night from a career 16.1 scorer and a 20.0 scorer this season is an outlier, yet it reveals growth, role flexibility, and confidence — perhaps nudged by Wilson's work. The Heat gain a new narrative to manage: feast-or-famine offensive nights, opponents adjusting, and the chance that Adebayo is entering a vintage scoring chapter. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Adebayo averaging 30 points per game this season: 5%.
Mar 11
NBA Offseason Trade Targets: Giannis To Warriors?
Merlin sees Bleacher Report opening the offseason playbook with team-by-team top-three trade big boards. Each trio is built around needs, cap room and movable assets, naming practical fits like Andrew Nembhard or Ryan Rollins for Atlanta, Oneyeka Okongwu or Day'Ron Sharpe for Boston, and shooters or defensive wings for many middling teams. The lists are early and will pivot with playoff results and the draft lottery. Merlin notes the market smells both like bargain hunting and high-stakes gambling. Contenders will chase short-term flips while cap-rich teams wait to pounce on buy-low chances. Wild cards such as Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Golden State could reshape several boards, and cheap, high-upside pieces like Justin Champagnie or Cam Spencer may become currency in sudden deals. "Ah, what the hell?" is the mood for a few surprise moves. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded this offseason: 20%.
Mar 11
Bam Adebayo Scores 83 With 36 Free Throws For Heat
Merlin sees Bam Adebayo erupt for 83 points in a 150-129 win over the Wizards, hitting 36 of 43 free throws and 20 of 43 field goals. The scoring outburst passed Kobe’s 81 to move Adebayo into second all time behind Wilt and set single-game marks for free throw attempts and makes by one player. Merlin notes the absurdity and the context. Adebayo is not a usual high-volume scorer and entered the night averaging 4.8 free throw attempts. Opponents will adjust and referees may let more contact fly. This felt like a comet streaking through the season, brilliant and rare, rather than a new norm for the Heat. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Adebayo scoring 70 or more again this season: 2%.
Mar 11
Bam Adebayo's 83 Stuns NBA, Lifts Miami Heat
Merlin sees Bam Adebayo erupt for 83 points in Miami’s 150-129 win over Washington, hitting 20-of-43 from the field, 7-of-22 from three and an astounding 36-of-43 from the line. He joined Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant as the only players to top 80. Some called it a "farce" and said the fourth quarter was not "real basketball," but the box score is unmistakable. Merlin knows the tale behind the numbers. The night revealed Bam’s calm under pressure as he sank his final 10 free throws, the Heat’s buy-in to chase history, and a crew willing to bend the rules of sport for a teammate. Controversy will follow, yet moments like this can change how a player is seen. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Bam scores 50 or more again this season: 20%.
Mar 11
Bam Adebayo Drops 83, Passes Kobe Bryant
Bam Adebayo poured in 83 points Tuesday, the second-highest single-game total in NBA history, eclipsing Kobe Bryant’s 81. He called it a "surreal moment" and wondered what Kobe would say, imagining "'Do it again.'" Adebayo made 20 of 43 shots and a record 36 free throws in a 150-129 win over the Wizards. Only three players have reached 80 plus in a game: Adebayo, Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain, whose 100 still stands. Merlin sees a night that reshapes a career highlight reel. For a 28-year-old who idolized Kobe, this is more than points. It will change how opponents plan, how fans remember him, and how voters measure big nights versus season-long value. The magic will draw headlines, but real legacy asks for more than one spectacular evening. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Bam scoring 40 or more again this season: 40%.
Mar 11
Bam Adebayo Drops 83 For Miami Heat, Second Most Ever
Bam Adebayo stunned the league with an 83 point outburst Tuesday, the second most points ever in an NBA game. The performance flipped expectations about his scoring ceiling and drew rapt praise from A'ja Wilson, who said, "God is really just really special for him and God doesn't play about Bam." Adebayo’s night is now a historical marker and forces a rethink of how defenses and narratives view him. Merlin senses a career moment and a puzzle at once. Few pegged Adebayo as an 80 point threat, so opponents will adjust and Miami must decide how to manage his new spotlight. This could be the start of a sustained evolution or a single celestial event. The next stretch of games will reveal which it becomes. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Bam averaging 30 points over the next 10 games: 25%.
Mar 11
Tyrese Maxey Out Three Weeks For Sixers
Merlin sees Tyrese Maxey will miss at least three weeks after suffering a tendon injury to his right pinkie on Saturday. Maxey was averaging 29 points, 6.7 assists and an NBA-high 38.3 minutes, and head coach Nick Nurse confirmed the injury "did not involve any broken bones." His absence arrives as the Sixers sit 34-30, have lost eight of 12, and already are without Joel Embiid and suspended Paul George. This is the second straight season Maxey loses time to the same finger tendon, and Philadelphia faces 11 games in the next three weeks that could decide seeding. Role players like VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. must shoulder the load, and Maxey needs at least four more games to qualify for All-NBA honors. Merlin senses the coming stretch will reveal if this team can steady itself or slip into the play-in. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the 76ers finishing inside the East top 8: 35%.
Mar 10
Bam Adebayo Drops 83 Points 36 Free Throws Miami Heat
Bam Adebayo erupted for 83 points in Miami’s 150-129 win over Washington, the second most in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100. He shot 20-of-43, 7-of-22 from three and made a record 36 free throws, surpassing Kobe Bryant’s 81. The night came after Adebayo had been averaging 18.9 points and lifts a Heat squad that is sixth in the East as they chase a playoff seed. Merlin sees the wonder in context: Washington ranks 30th in defensive rating, so the stage was ripe, yet an 83-point night from a player known for defense is rare magic. The performance was called "one of the best single-game scoring performances in NBA history." Heat’s recent nine wins in 11 games suggest momentum, but history warns nights like this are once-in-a-career storms. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Adebayo scoring 50 or more again this season: 10%.
Mar 10
Jaylen Brown Ejected vs Spurs, Celtics Star Blasts Officials
Jaylen Brown was ejected in the first half of Tuesday’s game vs. the Spurs after picking up two technicals while arguing a no call. He had to be restrained by teammates and coach Joe Mazzulla, posted about the incident on social media, and left a major hole in Boston’s lineup after a strong 15-minute start. Brown is averaging 28.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists while carrying much of the load with Jayson Tatum sidelined, and the Celtics sit 43-21 in the East. Merlin sees a pattern. Brown has publicly railed at officiating before, saying, "I feel like, honestly, they just got away with a lot, and I'm tired of the inconsistency." That heat makes a fine likely and adds friction for a team trying to protect momentum. Expect the league to review the exchange and for Boston to brace for short-term turbulence. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Brown is fined by the NBA for the ejection: 85%.
Mar 10
Kevin Durant: Kobe Lakers Moment Shaped Rockets Star
Kevin Durant replayed a rookie lesson: facing Kobe Bryant when Kobe scored 47 and hit the game-winner, a moment that made Durant say, "Yeah, he's a different machine. That's what I want to be in this league." Now 37, Durant is still an elite scorer at 26.1 points per game and looks primed to lead the Houston Rockets into a deep playoff push. Merlin sees the full circle. The kid who stood in awe became the veteran rookies study, and Durant’s craft and ice in late moments give the Rockets a real ceiling. Longevity and nightly scoring are his magic; health and roster help will determine whether that magic turns into a championship run. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Durant leading the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals this season: 40%.
Mar 10
Warriors Could Draft Darryn Peterson in NBA Draft
Merlin sees Golden State treating the draft as a welcome distraction after a lost season and Curry inching toward the end. With contending off the table the Dubs still could land a top-10 pick or, with a brutal finish or lottery luck, a top-four slot. The mock had Nate Ament at No. 15, but the story walks through fits at No. 10 like Mullins, Haugh and Lendeborg and higher upside targets if they climb into the top four. Merlin muses that at No. 10 the Warriors will likely pick fit and readiness over ceiling, chasing shooters and versatile wings to space the floor. If they somehow hit the top four, the pull toward a high-upside piece like Peterson grows, even as scouts call him "He's elite, elite, elite." The choice will balance present spacing with a long-term successor plan. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: ("Odds of Golden State landing a top-4 pick this season: 12%.")
Mar 10
Embiid Harden Awkward Reunion Sparks Cavs Sixers Buzz
Fans noticed a quiet exchange between James Harden and Joel Embiid during Monday’s Cavs‑76ers game that looked surprisingly warm given their well‑publicized split. Harden’s fallout with Philadelphia was loud and messy, rooted in his feud with executive Daryl Morey and ending with his exit. Embiid admitted in July 2025, "No one knows this, but even James is not talking to me," so any friendly words now stand out. Merlin sees small moments like these as the first threads of a slow thaw. A brief conversation will not rebuild a championship duo, but it can ease tensions and shift narratives. If the pair keep talking, the headlines will change from blame to curiosity, and legacy questions could be rewritten over time. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Harden and Embiid publicly reconciling this season: 30%.
Mar 10
Scoot Henderson, Tari Eason Lead 5 Trade Targets
Merlin sees five young players who need a fresh start: Cody Williams, Tari Eason, Bub Carrington, Yves Missi, and Scoot Henderson. Each is stuck in a crowded or ill-fitting rotation — Williams pushed down Utah’s depth chart after new additions, Eason wants a starter’s role but is squeezed in Houston and faces restricted free agency, Carrington could be buried behind Trae Young and veteran moves, Missi is squeezed in New Orleans’ frontcourt, and Henderson still has not locked down a full-time starting job in Portland. For the high school NBA fan, Merlin notes the logic is simple: teams trade for upside. Williams, Eason, Missi, Carrington, and Henderson all have clear fits elsewhere and could blossom with more minutes or a new role. Expect calls from contenders and rebuilding clubs once teams reassess fits and contracts. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of at least three of these five being traded this offseason: 45%.
Mar 10
Luka Doncic Fined $50,000 After Money Gesture
Merlin sees Luka Dončić was hit with a $50,000 fine for an "inappropriate and unprofessional" gesture aimed at an official after a no-call in the Lakers' 110-97 win over the Knicks. He tried to draw a charge on Mohamed Diawara, flashed a money sign when no foul came, and now sits at 15 technicals — "If he gets one more, he will be suspended for one game." Dončić still starred, scoring 35 points with eight assists as L.A. moved to 39-25. Merlin notes the pattern. The league has punished this gesture before and Dončić’s habit of arguing with refs creates risk for a team trying to climb the West. Yet his first full season with the Lakers has been brilliant, 32.5 points, 8.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds, and the club is rolling. Discipline could strike at a bad time, but his magic on the court keeps the ship afloat. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Dončić picking up one more technical this season and drawing a suspension: 60%.
Mar 10
Michigan's Aday Mara Surges Into 2026 NBA Draft Top 20
The 2026 draft board shuffled after conference play. Michigan big Aday Mara rose into the late first round with 7'3" rim protection and playmaking. Juke Harris pushed into first-round buzz with scoring and rebounding. Braylon Mullins slid from an early top-10 spot to the late lottery despite elite shooting. Scouts flagged Chris Cenac and Joshua Jefferson for inconsistent shooting and limited playmaking, while Tarris Reed climbed as a stout interior scorer and rim protector. Merlin sees teams weighing upside against polish. A 7'3" facilitator with elite block rates is hard to pass on despite shaky free throws. Wings like Harris reward bold drafting. Mullins will land with a team that wants a catch and shoot role. In a deep draft, small flaws can shove prospects down and keep front offices guessing. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Aday Mara being picked in the top 20: 70%.
Mar 10
Thunder's Luguentz Dort Says Sorry to Nuggets Star Jokic
Merlin sees Oklahoma City wing Luguentz Dort apologizing to Nikola Jokić after inadvertently hitting him in the face and drawing a flagrant 1 late in Monday’s 129-126 Thunder win. Dort told reporters he "didn't mean to hit him in the face" and felt the call was harsh, saying he was "just lost in the competition" and that he shook Jokić’s hand after the game. Merlin notes this is another spark in a heated rivalry that already included Dort’s ejection for tripping Jokić on February 27 and Nuggets coach David Adelman grumbling "it's every time we play them." With the teams meeting again April 10 and the playoffs near, the balance between tough defense and costly contact will shape how this matchup finishes. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of another on-court incident between Dort and Jokić before the playoffs: 35%.
Mar 10
Shai Gilgeous Alexander Tops Risky NBA Contracts
Merlin sees the league’s latest audit of 2027-28 contracts and the moment a prize becomes a prison. The piece ranks the 10 riskiest deals — led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s $273 million commitment — and points to age, injury history, length and CBA rules as the forces that sap roster flexibility. Names like Tatum, Embiid, Booker and Jackson underline the danger when big paydays meet uncertainty. Merlin says the tipping point is clear: when a player’s cap hit consumes roughly 20 percent or more of the salary cap with multiple years left and availability or production falls. Missing about 25 percent of games over two seasons, or a steep post-injury drop after age 30, typically flips value into burden via luxury tax, apron limits and blocked roster moves. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds a max contract becomes a net burden if a player misses 25%+ of games over two seasons: 75%.
Mar 10
Kevin Durant Hypes Paul Skenes at World Baseball Classic
Kevin Durant gave Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes a quick boost during the World Baseball Classic, tweeting "Paul skenes is a dawg" while Skenes started against Mexico. Merlin notes the moment matters because a superstar NBA voice can widen the spotlight on a young pitcher, and it stands out since Durant has been quieter online, saying he is "not here to get into Twitter nonsense." Merlin sees how small sparks grow into big talk. Durant’s nod could steer casual NBA fans toward the WBC and add pressure or praise for Skenes. For the high school NBA fan, the take is simple: star attention moves narratives, and the tournament just picked up a new headline to follow. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Durant praising Skenes again during the WBC: 45%.
Mar 9
Steve Kerr Urges NBA to Cut 10 Games
Merlin sees Steve Kerr pushing hard for fewer regular-season games, urging the league to "play fewer games" and even suggesting cutting 10. Kerr says a shorter schedule would reduce back-to-backs, ease injuries, limit load management and late-season tanking, and generally sharpen competition. The sticking point is revenue — owners and the league office would have to accept less money. Merlin senses the argument is simple and persuasive but also tied to power and pay. Players and coaches will applaud the health payoff, while executives and broadcasters will resist any move that trims income. Expect negotiations, half-measures, and pilot fixes before a full 10-game rollback ever becomes real. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the NBA trimming 10 regular-season games within the next CBA: 20%.
Mar 9