NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Mar 9, 2026
Shai Gilgeous Alexander Ties Wilt Chamberlain 20 Point Record
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied Wilt Chamberlain’s long-standing mark by scoring 20 or more points in 126 straight games, a milestone that puts him in the same rarefied conversation as one of the game's all-time scorers. The reigning MVP is carrying Oklahoma City with 31.6 points, 6.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds while the Thunder sit 50-15, and he can surpass Chamberlain’s streak in the team’s next game on Thursday. Merlin senses more than scoring here. Wilt’s records are monuments, but durability and timing decide who replaces them. If Shai stays healthy and keeps his scoring pulse, another MVP trophy and a new chapter in scoring lore await — though he must hit the 65-game threshold to lock in award eligibility. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Shai breaking Chamberlain’s streak Thursday: 70%.
Tom Brady Meets LeBron James, Lakers Rest
Tom Brady and LeBron James crossed paths in Las Vegas over the weekend, with Brady posting a photo on Instagram alongside the Lakers star. Brady said he was "preparing for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21" and also attended UFC 326. The encounter came as LeBron sat out Sunday’s 110-97 win over the Knicks; the Lakers are 39-25 and return Tuesday against the Timberwolves. Merlin sees two champions sharing a moment that blends sport and spectacle. Brady’s public push for his flag football event keeps him active off the field, while LeBron’s rest looks like careful load management during a tight race for playoff position. Watch LeBron’s minutes and the Lakers’ next moves for clues about their postseason plan. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds LeBron plays Tuesday vs Minnesota: 75%.
Mar 9
Bobby Portis Gives Giannis Future With Bucks a 5
Merlin sees Bucks forward Bobby Portis confessing real doubt about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee, telling FanDuel TV, "I'm at a five, bro." With Giannis out 30 games this season and the Bucks sitting 27-36 and flirting with play-in danger, Portis’ shrug highlights a franchise at a crossroads where health and wins will drive whether Milwaukee retools around its star or explores a major trade. Merlin senses the summer will be long and measured. Portis is signed through 2026-27 and expects to remain while conversations and medical reports unfold. If the Bucks miss the postseason, expect trade talks to heat up and plans to shift from hopeful repair to clearer change. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis still being a Buck in 2026-27: 45%.
Mar 9
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Kawhi Leonard to Pistons Shakes Up Clippers
Merlin sees a hypothetical blockbuster: Kawhi Leonard to the Detroit Pistons for Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland and two firsts plus a 2031 pick swap. The deal would pair Kawhi with Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, immediately boosting Detroit’s finishing and perimeter defense while addressing halfcourt and spacing problems. For the Clippers it would be a clear pivot to youth, shooting and draft assets. Merlin notes the many hoops: Detroit would need to renounce cap holds, re-sign Duren sensibly, and Kawhi’s $50.3 million must stay tradable—plus the league’s probe into alleged cap circumvention and Kawhi’s injury history complicate everything. On paper it’s transformative; in practice it is a risky, high-reward incantation that could break or bind a title contender. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kawhi landing in Detroit this offseason: 10%.
Mar 9
Anthony Edwards' All Time Five Omits LeBron
Anthony Edwards told Ahmad Rashad his all-time starting five: Stephen Curry, Edwards at shooting guard, Michael Jordan at small forward, Kevin Durant at power forward and Shaquille O'Neal at center. He left out LeBron James because Edwards reserved the power forward spot for his favorite player Durant. The selection reveals a young star's influences and confidence. Edwards is 24, a four-time All-Star, All-NBA Second Team the past two seasons and is averaging a career-high 29.5 points per game. Merlin sees a young scorer crafting his legend. Picking Durant over LeBron and Shaq over Olajuwon shows he prizes shooting and brute force. Putting Jordan at small forward signals how Edwards sees his role. If he keeps averaging near 30 and leading, he could become the franchise's cornerstone and deepen the debate about his place among future greats. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Anthony Edwards makes First-Team All-NBA this season: 30%.
Mar 9
Michael Jordan: Team USA Must Win 2028 Olympic Gold
Michael Jordan declared "there's no way" Team USA should fail to win gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, saying "Basketball is so strong in the United States." His comments land after a Paris 2024 gold that did not look dominant and amid the rise of international stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Giannis and Luka. Jordan’s words raise expectations and put pressure on the next cycle of stars. Merlin sees the balance clearly. Talent still tilts toward the United States if top NBA players choose to suit up, but global improvement has closed the gap. Jordan’s statement will serve as motivation, yet the outcome will hinge on who shows up, how the roster is built, and whether coaching and chemistry hold up under Olympic heat. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Team USA winning gold in 2028: 75%.
Mar 9
Bronny James Throws LeBron Style G League Dunk
Bronny James ripped down a LeBron-like dunk for the South Bay Lakers in the G League, a flashy reminder of his athletic upside as he works to carve out an NBA identity. A 2024 second-round pick, he has played sparingly in Los Angeles—2.1 points in 7.2 minutes across 31 NBA games—but has produced 15.3 points, 3.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds in nine G League contests. At 21 and a few years removed from a serious heart scare, he still needs time and health to prove he belongs on a regular NBA floor. The Lakers’ veteran, title-focused roster likely limits his immediate chances in Los Angeles. Merlin sees talent and growth potential, not guaranteed stardom. That dunk is a sign of tools, not of destiny. If Bronny keeps developing his decision making, consistency and durability, he could earn rotation minutes—possibly with another team if L.A. cannot offer them. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Bronny earns a regular NBA rotation spot by 2026-27: 45%.
Mar 9
Michael Jordan Yawns at GOAT Debate With LeBron and Kobe
Michael Jordan largely stepped away from the GOAT fight in comments to Mike Tirico, calling the label something he will "never get high or low about" and calling the whole thing "an empty comparison." He praised players from different eras, from Kareem and Bill Russell to LeBron and Kobe, and said "you will absolutely never find the true answer to that question," noting modern players also benefit from better training and tech. Merlin sees Jordan trying to cool off a debate that stokes headlines and hurts older stars. The oracle likes that MJ shifts the talk from crowns to continuity, urging fans to honor who paved the way while knowing era checks make any verdict sketchy. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the GOAT debate settles this year: 2%.
Mar 8
Doncic and Reaves Carry Lakers Past Knicks Without LeBron
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves combined for 60 points to carry the Lakers past the Knicks on Sunday while LeBron James sat out with an injury. Doncic poured in 32 points, hitting four threes and grabbing eight rebounds with four assists, 28 of those points coming in the first three quarters. Reaves added 25 with five assists and four rebounds. Jalen Brunson scored 24 and Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 in defeat. The win was Los Angeles' 39th and keeps them a game behind Houston and Minnesota for the West’s No. 3 seed. Merlin sees a team finding answers without its king. The backcourt punch provides hope, but the true test arrives in a brutal stretch against Minnesota, Denver and two meetings with Houston. If Doncic keeps creating and Reaves remains a spark, the Lakers can seize momentum, yet health and depth will shape the final outcome. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers finishing in the West top-three: 40%.
Mar 8
Jayson Tatum Dagger Sends Celtics Past Cavaliers
Jayson Tatum buried a dagger three in his second game back, lifting Boston to a 109-98 win over Cleveland. He’s hit the ground running after his Achilles tear, totaling 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in his first game and 20 points on Sunday. The Celtics missed him, and clearly, Tatum "missed his own jump shot" until now. Merlin sees more than a single shot. That three is a proof of concept: spacing, rhythm and leadership returning to a title-caliber team. The real question is endurance. Tatum’s flashes calm the room now, but the long season and playoff grind will reveal whether this return is durable or merely an enchanting preview. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Celtics reaching the Eastern Conference Finals this season: 65%.
Mar 8
LeBron James Passes Kareem Abdul Jabbar Field Goal Record
The Lakers celebrated LeBron James with a highlight video after he broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for most field goals made, hitting his 15,838th field goal in Thursday’s win over the Nuggets. That milestone comes a little over three years after LeBron became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. At 41 and in his 23rd season, he is still productive, averaging 21.4 points, 7.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds, while Los Angeles sits sixth in the West at 38-25. Merlin sees durability turned to legend. Few players will compile such layered records, and LeBron’s continued output steadies a Lakers team chasing better playoff positioning. Expect more milestones and emotional moments as he carries history on his back, even if a title run will demand more from the supporting cast. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (Odds of LeBron leading the Lakers to an NBA title this season: 18%.)
Mar 8
Charlotte Hornets Surge, Kawhi Leonard Revives Clippers
The NBA stretch run is a chaotic, compelling ride. Charlotte’s midseason surge has been, as Bill Simmons put it, "the most dramatic turnaround in-season of anyone that I can remember," and the Hornets lead the league in net rating and offense since Jan. Kawhi Leonard has revived the Clippers, Jayson Tatum races back from an Achilles tear, LeBron keeps producing, and Golden State lives or dies with Stephen Curry's health. Merlin sees momentum as a spell that can hold or vanish. For a high school fan expect big swings. Charlotte may not sustain 16-3 magic, but belief, hot shooting and balance can carry them past skeptics. Kawhi is a cheat code for L.A. Tatum might become a more selective scorer. Golden State’s fate turns on Curry. Watch injuries, roles and chemistry; they will write the season's end. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Charlotte Hornets making the playoffs this season: 45%.
Mar 8
Adam Silver Confronts Tanking as Pistons Thunder Rise
Merlin sees Adam Silver vowing to tackle the NBA’s tanking problem, but the consensus in the piece is summed up in two words: Good luck. The argument notes tanking persists because it works, with modern powerhouses born from losing seasons — Detroit, Oklahoma City, the Spurs, Rockets and others — and even Silver admitting that "The fundamental theory behind the draft is to help your worst-performing teams restock and be able to compete." Stripping away the ugliness will not erase the draft’s reward structure. Merlin whispers that tanking is like sowing seeds in winter. Change will need more than speeches; it will demand rewiring incentives and luck. The league can curtail visible tactics, yet many contenders prove that strategic losing seeds future champions. The story is far from finished. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Adam Silver eliminating tanking this season: 15%.
Mar 8
Kristaps Porzingis Returns With Encouraging POTS Update
Kristaps Porziņģis returned for 23 minutes in Golden State’s 104-87 loss, offering an on-court health update after being limited to two games since his Feb. 5 trade. Diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, he said "Today was okay. I still a little heavy" and finished with nine points, five rebounds and five assists. Porziņģis told reporters, "I believe I will be healthy now." Merlin senses cautious optimism. POTS helps explain the chronic exhaustion that cost him availability in Boston and Atlanta, so the Warriors will need to manage his minutes while he rebuilds conditioning and rhythm. If he steadies his body and shot, Golden State gains rare size and spacing; if not, the club’s late-season climb could stall. Next test is Monday in Utah. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Porziņģis becomes a reliable rotation piece for Golden State down the stretch: 45%.
Mar 8
Tyrese Maxey Undergoes Hand X Rays After 76ers Collision
Tyrese Maxey left Saturday’s 125-116 loss after a collision with teammate Adem Bona and, as Coach Nick Nurse said, "was undergoing X-rays on his hand." He will have further testing on his right finger Sunday. Maxey still finished with "31 points" and leads the NBA in minutes, so any absence would be a real blow to a 76ers club jockeying for playoff positioning. Merlin sees the fragility. A finger or hand issue can be day-to-day or stubborn, and Philadelphia has limited room for error with Joel Embiid and Paul George often sidelined and rookie VJ Edgecombe also injured. Cameron Payne could start, but the Sixers will likely lean conservative and protect their workhorse while the tests decide the next move. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Maxey misses at least one game this week: 40%.
Mar 7
Jaylen Brown: Wembanyama Is a Two Way Problem
Jaylen Brown lauded Victor Wembanyama on a recent Twitch stream, calling him "a problem, a big problem" and saying "When I say I'm the best two-way player in the league, it's not counting Wemby... He's not even human. I'm the best human player." Brown, who averages a career-high 28.8 points and shoots 48.1 percent for a 42-21 Celtics team, seemed to concede the two-way crown to Wembanyama. Wembanyama averages 23.8 points with 3.0 blocks and has a huge defensive swing for the Spurs, who are 103.4 defensively with him and 113.0 without. Merlin senses respect more than rivalry. Brown remains a top-tier defender and elite scorer, but Wembanyama’s size and rim protection redefine "two-way." Their matchups will be a perfect measuring stick for whether Boston’s schemes can contain a player who changes shot selection around the league. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Victor Wembanyama finishing the season as the NBA’s top two-way player: 65%.
Mar 7
Rookie Cooper Flagg Meets Idol Jayson Tatum in Celtics Return
Cooper Flagg spoke about the moment he faced Jayson Tatum after the Mavericks’ 120-100 loss, calling it “It's incredible” and saying Tatum was “someone I idolized growing up.” Flagg, the No. 1 pick and Rookie of the Year frontrunner (20.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists), has returned from a foot injury and put up 16-8-6 Friday. Tatum made his first game back from an Achilles tear and finished 15-12-7, a reminder he can still tilt a game. Merlin sees a neat echo: both came from Duke and both show how quickly a young star can shape a franchise. Tatum’s return lifts Boston now, while Flagg’s growth will determine if Dallas moves from hopeful to dangerous. Health and poise will write the next chapter. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Cooper Flagg winning Rookie of the Year this season: 75%.
Mar 7
Victor Wembanyama Emotional After 25 Point Spurs Comeback
Merlin sees Victor Wembanyama turn exhaustion into triumph in San Antonio’s 116-112 comeback over the Clippers. Down 25 in the third, the Spurs poured in 35 in both the third and fourth quarters to notch the franchise’s second-biggest rally since 1997. Wembanyama led with 27 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks and said he felt "about to pass out" and that it was "close to being the hardest game of my life." The win pushed San Antonio to 14 wins in 15 games. Merlin notes the magic is not just one night. This is their best 15-game stretch since 2015-16, proof of rising chemistry and Wembanyama’s growing authority. The cost is wear and tear. With only one day off before a big home showdown vs Houston, the Spurs’ depth and minute management will decide if the streak continues. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: 1-sentence forecast (“Odds of the Spurs beating the Rockets on Sunday: 60%.”)
Mar 7
Trail Blazers Win Mock Draft, Take Isaiah Dybantsa
Merlin sees the NBA taking a long view on tanking. A top-tier 2026 class has pushed several teams to lose now, but scouts expect weaker 2027 and 2028 groups and flattened lottery odds to cool the races. A Tankathon simulation made the point with a surprise jackpot to Portland and other teams left empty handed while prospects like Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer dominated the mock order. Merlin whispers that luck and fit will decide more than intent. Front offices must choose between swinging for a franchise star or trading picks for proven help, and mock drafts remind them how fast fortunes flip. As Illinois coach Brad Underwood said of one riser, "He is one of the greatest stories in a long, long time." Expect more calculated risk and fewer willful losing seasons. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of fewer teams actively tanking over the next two drafts: 70%.
Mar 7
Jayson Tatum Returns, Celtics Roll Past Mavericks
Merlin sees Jayson Tatum return to action Friday after a torn right Achilles, posting 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 27 minutes. He jump-started the Celtics with a pick-and-roll to Neemias Queta, hit corner threes and helped fuel a 22-5 fourth-quarter surge. After a 298-day absence there was some rust, but the night felt more like promise than proof. Merlin notes Boston is 42-21 and four games back of Detroit, so every healthy minute from Tatum changes the map. LeBron and others celebrated the milestone, and a three-game road trip starting in Cleveland will be the first real test of his stamina. If his body holds up, the Celtics’ ceiling rises; if not, careful minutes will shape the next chapter. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Tatum plays 25+ minutes Sunday in Cleveland: 55%.
Mar 6
UNC's Caleb Wilson Out For Season After Thumb Surgery
Caleb Wilson will miss the rest of the season after breaking his right thumb in a non-contact drill, Shams Charania reports. He underwent surgery and is "expected to be cleared during the NBA predraft process." Wilson averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds in 24 games, so his absence comes with the ACC tournament and March Madness approaching. Merlin sees a Tar Heels squad tested but not finished. Hubert Davis called Wilson "progressing" from a prior left-hand fracture, yet losing a near 20-point, two-way presence forces lineup changes and shifts scouting focus. North Carolina's 5-1 stretch without him shows resilience, but the road through Duke and the ACC bracket will be steeper now. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of North Carolina reaching the Final Four this season: 30%.
Mar 6
Phoenix Suns' Dillon Brooks Arrested on DUI Suspicion
Merlin sees Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was arrested early Friday in Scottsdale on suspicion of driving under the influence after a traffic stop around 1 a.m.; he was booked and released about 3:30 a.m. The Suns said, "We are aware of the situation involving Dillon Brooks and are gathering more information." Brooks has not played since Feb. 21 with a fractured left hand and is expected to be out until late March after surgery. Before the injury he was averaging a career-high 20.9 points and arrived in Phoenix in the trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston. Merlin senses the timing dulls the immediate on-court sting but sharpens off-court risk. With legal details pending, the league and team will decide if discipline follows. Brooks’ strong season makes any suspension or distraction more consequential for Phoenix’ chemistry and playoff hopes. The next move will come from reports and the NBA office. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Dillon Brooks receiving an NBA suspension this season: 25%.
Mar 6
LeBron Lakers Outraged After Jokic No Call
Merlin sees the Lakers’ frustration boiling after a 120-113 loss to Denver, their sixth in 11 games. LeBron James blasted the referees, saying he was "so f--king tired" of them calling a Jokić collision "marginal" after he fell and hit his elbow late in the fourth. He is questionable for Friday’s game as L.A. slips 1.5 games behind Denver for the No. 5 seed and prepares a five-game homestand. Merlin notes LeBron has been efficient, shooting over 50 percent in four straight games and posting 16 points and eight assists in the loss, but the timing of an injury scare and mounting losses makes every matchup feel urgent. The homestand will reveal whether the Lakers can steady the ship or slide toward the play-in. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds LeBron plays Friday vs Pacers: 65%.
Mar 6
Russell Westbrook Slams Media Over Kings Coverage
After a 133-123 loss to the Pelicans, Russell Westbrook used his postgame press conference to call out the media for what he called "false comments" and said it was important to "speak up for the guys in the locker room." He singled out reporters including Matt George, who labeled this roster "the worst in franchise history" and criticized Westbrook’s heavy usage as Sacramento slides toward its worst record since 2008-09. Merlin sees an aging core, key surgeries, and injuries forcing coach Doug Christie to lean on veterans more than development. Young pieces like rookie Maxime Raynaud deserve more chances, but the Kings have leaned on Westbrook’s nightly availability. The true test will be whether the club shifts minutes and vision before the offseason or lets the pattern continue. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Sacramento making the playoffs this season: 3%.
Mar 6
Victor Wembanyama Ignites Spurs Run for MVP
Merlin sees the NBA boiling down to two races: the hopeful tankers hunting top draft lottery odds and the contenders guarding health and momentum. The power rankings show Oklahoma City as the safest title bet when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays, San Antonio roaring behind Victor Wembanyama, Detroit cooling but still elite, Charlotte red hot, and a list of struggling teams deep in the tank like Sacramento, Indiana and Brooklyn. Injuries to stars and late trades are reshaping seeding and draft maps. Merlin whispers that the next few weeks will be fate for fringe teams. A hot streak or a key return could flip playoff paths, while relentless losing will secure ping pong balls. Watch Spurs streaks and OKC’s balance. The playoffs will reward health and rhythm more than pure talent. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Oklahoma City Thunder win the title: 30%.
Mar 6