NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Apr 10, 2026
Lakers Playoff Hopes Depend on Luka Doncic
The regular season ends in three days, and the playoff picture still isn’t finished. The West has its playoff teams set, but seeding is still moving. In the East, five teams are fighting for the final two playoff spots after Thursday’s Lakers-Warriors game. Oklahoma City and San Antonio look like the West’s top Finals threats, with Victor Wembanyama leading a much-improved Spurs group. The Lakers need Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves back from hamstring and oblique injuries to make a real run. Detroit has locked up the No. 1 seed in the East, but Boston has surged since Jayson Tatum returned. A Celtics-Knicks matchup could decide the conference. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Boston and New York meet in the East finals, and that series goes the distance.
LeBron Leads Lakers Past Warriors Without Luka
LeBron James had 26 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds as the Lakers beat the Warriors 119-103 on Thursday. Los Angeles was without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, but LeBron shot 11-of-17, while Deandre Ayton added 21 points. Bronny James scored 10 off the bench. The Lakers moved to 51-29 after pulling away in the second half. They finished with 37 assists and shot 55.2 percent from three. Golden State, without Stephen Curry because of right knee injury management, dropped to 37-43. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: If Luka and Reaves get healthy, this Lakers offense is going to be a tough out.
Apr 10
Stephen Curry Wears LeBron Shoes on Bench
Stephen Curry wore LeBron James’ Nike LeBron X ID shoes on the bench Thursday as the Warriors lost 119-103 to the Lakers. Curry sat out while working back from a knee injury, but LeBron noticed the tribute. “Out the vault,” James said, later calling it “super special.” Curry became a shoe free agent after splitting with Under Armour in November. He also wore Kevin Durant’s signature shoes before facing the Rockets this week. A new deal can wait, though. Golden State has locked up a play-in spot and needs wins to reach the No. 7 or No. 8 seed. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Curry keeps the tribute kicks coming until he picks his next shoe brand in the offseason.
Apr 10
Luka Doncic In Good Spirits During Rehab
Luka Dončić is in “relatively good spirits” while rehabbing his left hamstring strain in Spain, Lakers coach JJ Redick said Thursday. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Luka traveled there for an injection procedure meant to “promote healing.” He suffered the Grade 2 strain against Oklahoma City and could miss the rest of the regular season and more. Luka was on fire in March, averaging 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.4 assists as the Lakers won 16 of 18 games. Los Angeles is 50-29 and fourth in the West, but Austin Reaves is also out four-to-six weeks with an oblique injury. The Lakers have shown Finals-level upside, but getting healthy is now the whole game. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Luka returns in time for the playoffs, but the Lakers’ ceiling depends on whether Reaves can get back too.
Apr 10
Lakers Add Second Row Courtside Seats
The Lakers are adding a second row of courtside seats for the 2026 NBA playoffs, according to Edward Lewis of the California Post. The new seats will cost 78 percent of typical courtside prices, which usually run from $20,000 to $40,000. That puts these tickets around $15,000 to $30,000 each. Fans in the new row will get premium chairs and VIP club access, even if the view won't match the first row. Lakers floor seats have been sold out for 50 years, so there’s clearly demand. The bigger issue is getting deep into June with Luka Dončić out for the regular season with a hamstring injury and Austin Reaves sidelined four-to-six weeks with an oblique injury. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Those seats will sell, but the Lakers need Luka back to make them the hottest ticket in June.
Apr 9
LeBron Skips Golf as Lakers Injuries Mount
LeBron James canceled a golf outing with J.R. Smith after Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves got hurt. Smith said Thursday, “Man, I can’t play golf. I’ve got too much on my shoulders right now.” Dončić has a hamstring injury, while Reaves has a Grade 2 left oblique injury. ESPN’s Shams Charania says both Luka and Reaves are expected to miss the start of the 2026 playoffs. The Lakers are 50-29 and tied with Houston for the No. 4 spot, just 1.5 games behind Denver for No. 3. LeBron is averaging 20.8 points, 7.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in his 23rd season, but Los Angeles needs help fast. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: LeBron carries the Lakers through the first playoff games, but they’ll need Luka or Reaves back to make a real run.
Apr 9
DeMar DeRozan Fires Back at Career Critic
DeMar DeRozan fired back after a social media account called one of his scoring stats “disturbing.” The post said DeRozan needs to average 18 points over his next 105 games to pass Shaquille O’Neal on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. DeRozan responded: “Disturbing!? F--k that mean? Who the hell is you to have an opinion on somebody career. Clown!” DeRozan is 17th all-time with 26,711 points after averaging 21.1 points across 17 seasons. He’s never played fewer than 60 games in a season and sits less than 2,000 points from Shaq and 10th place. If he stays healthy and keeps scoring, that climb could happen soon. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: DeRozan passes Shaq within the next two seasons.
Apr 9
Stephen Curry Out Against LeBron and Lakers
Stephen Curry is out for Thursday night’s Warriors-Lakers game with right knee injury management, so he won’t face LeBron James this regular season. Golden State is locked into the No. 10 seed in the West and plays Sacramento on Friday after the 10 p.m. ET matchup in the Bay Area. Curry returned Sunday after missing more than two months with his right knee injury and said he dealt with multiple setbacks, per ESPN’s Anthony Slater. He scored 29 points in 26 minutes against Houston, then added 17 points in 25 minutes against Sacramento. The Warriors need him ready for the play-in, where they must win two games to reach the playoffs. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Curry gets one more light run before Golden State turns the minutes up for the play-in.
Apr 9
Joel Embiid Set for Appendicitis Surgery
Joel Embiid has appendicitis and will have surgery Thursday in Houston, the 76ers announced. He was already ruled out against the Rockets with an illness. Philadelphia expects to share a recovery timeline after the procedure. It’s another setback in an injury-heavy season for Embiid, who has dealt with knee and oblique issues. He’s averaging 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds when he plays. The Sixers enter Thursday eighth in the East at 43-36, so Tyrese Maxey will need to keep carrying a big load in the playoff push. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Embiid’s return timeline will be the biggest thing hanging over Philly’s postseason hopes.
Apr 9
NBA Clears Doug Christie After Late Foul
The NBA cleared Kings coach Doug Christie after he told Sacramento to foul Seth Curry late in Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors. The league said Christie honestly believed Golden State wasn’t in the penalty and was trying to stop the clock and use a timeout. Sacramento lost and fell to 21-59. Draymond Green wasn’t buying it after the game, saying, “Fine the hell out of people,” per ESPN’s Anthony Slater. The call drew tanking questions, especially with the Kings in the draft lottery mix, but Christie has said, “Tanking is the last thing [I’d do].” The NBA will vote on anti-tanking rule changes May 28, with the goal of having them ready before this summer’s draft. Sacramento and Golden State play again Friday. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Christie keeps it simple Friday, no late-game foul mix-ups.
Apr 9
Celtics Can Clinch Fifth Straight Atlantic Title
The Celtics can clinch a fifth straight Atlantic Division title with a win over the Knicks on Thursday night. Boston, 54-25, has won four straight and can also lock up the No. 2 seed in the East. New York, 51-28, leads the season series 2-1 after a 111-89 win in Boston on Feb. 8. Boston got here without Jayson Tatum, who tore his Achilles during the 2025 season, and after moving on from Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. Jaylen Brown has carried a huge load, averaging career highs of 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists. “I looked at it as an opportunity to show the world who I am and what I could do,” Brown told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Boston gets the win, clinches the division, and makes the Knicks matchup feel a lot more like a playoff preview.
Apr 9
Jaylen Brown Uses Astrology To Lead Celtics
Jaylen Brown has taken on a bigger leadership role for the Celtics while Jayson Tatum recovers from a torn Achilles. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reports Brown has used meditation, teammates’ astrological charts, numerology, and red light therapy on his knee. Brown said, “I made a chart of all my teammates... But the s--t worked.” It’s lining up with his best NBA season: 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, all career highs. Boston has exceeded expectations, and Brown’s production is a big reason why. Whether anyone else buys the astrology part, his teammates are getting a locked-in version of him. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Brown keeps playing like Boston’s go-to guy until Tatum is back.
Apr 9
.png)
Cooper Flagg Stays First in 2025 Redraft
Cooper Flagg still goes No. 1 in this 2025 NBA redraft after averaging 21.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists for Dallas. The big change starts at No. 2, where San Antonio takes Kon Knueppel over Dylan Harper for his shooting and fit. Harper then lands with Philadelphia at No. 3, followed by VJ Edgecombe to Charlotte and Ace Bailey staying in Utah. The lottery mostly holds up, but a few later picks shoot up the board. Derik Queen moves from No. 13 to Washington at No. 6, Maxime Raynaud jumps from No. 42 to New Orleans at No. 12, and Javon Small rises from No. 48 to Miami at No. 20. Flagg, Harper, Edgecombe and Knueppel still look like the class's top tier. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Flagg wins Rookie of the Year, but Harper makes the race a lot closer than people expect.
Apr 9
AJ Dybantsa Takes Over Draft Top Spot
AJ Dybantsa has moved to No. 1 on ESPN’s latest NBA draft big board, passing Darryn Peterson. The BYU wing is now ahead of Peterson and Duke big man Cameron Boozer in the race for the top pick. Jeremy Woo wrote that NBA executives most often project Dybantsa to go first. Jonathan Wasserman’s latest mock draft has the Indiana Pacers taking Dybantsa at No. 1. He pointed to Dybantsa’s 60.0 true shooting percentage and late-season stretches where he took over games. The NBA draft is June 25, so Peterson and Boozer still have time to make their case. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Dybantsa stays the favorite, but the No. 1 debate won’t be settled until draft night.
Apr 9
Thunder Clinch West Top Seed
The Oklahoma City Thunder locked up the No. 1 seed in the West and the NBA’s best record with a 128-110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The San Antonio Spurs are set at No. 2. Denver is No. 3 at 51-28, just 1.5 games ahead of the Lakers and Rockets. Denver still has Oklahoma City and San Antonio left, while Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are out for the Lakers. The Clippers lead Portland by one game for No. 8 and own a 2-1 season-series edge before Friday’s matchup. In the East, New York leads Cleveland by 0.5 games for No. 3, while only two games separate No. 5 from No. 9. The play-in starts April 14. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Denver hangs onto No. 3, but Clippers vs. Trail Blazers on Friday decides the No. 8 spot.
Apr 9
Tyrese Haliburton Back In Five On Five
Tyrese Haliburton says he’s back playing five-on-five for the first time since tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury has kept him out all season, but it’s a big step after he said in January that he had started full-court three-on-three and four-on-four work. Indiana is 18-61, second-worst in the league ahead of only the 17-62 Wizards. A top-four pick could give the Pacers a real boost alongside Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac. Still, the big question is whether Tyrese can return to the All-NBA level that helped carry Indiana to the Finals. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Haliburton will be ready for opening night in 2026-27, but Indiana will ease him in early.
Apr 8
Kawhi Leonard Reveals New Balance Kawhi 5
Kawhi Leonard’s fifth signature shoe with New Balance, the Kawhi 5, was revealed Wednesday. The model has a soft upper for comfort and lockdown, a dual-density FuelCell midsole, and a Y-Plate in the forefoot. Kawhi first wore the shoes during the 2026 NBA All-Star festivities. The Kawhi 5 launches in summer 2026 with a first colorway and matching apparel capsule, including a warm-up jacket, performance shorts, and training tee. Leonard has been with New Balance since 2018 and is having a huge 2025-26 season, averaging a career-high 28.1 points per game. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Kawhi’s first Kawhi 5 colorway will sell out fast if he keeps playing like this.
Apr 8
Anthony Davis Still Upset Over Lakers Trade
Anthony Davis said he thought Nico Harrison was joking when he called to say the Lakers had traded him to the Mavericks for Luka Doncic. On The Draymond Green Show, Davis said he called Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, still didn’t believe it, then finally saw Shams Charania’s post confirming the deal. “My heart is in my stomach, because like, what the f--k just happened?” Davis said. Davis understands the business side, saying “Luka is f--king Luka,” but he still hates how the Lakers handled it. He said nobody gave him a heads-up after everything he did in Los Angeles. Dallas later fired Harrison in November, then traded Davis to the Wizards at February’s deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Davis will have plenty to say when the Wizards face the Lakers.
Apr 8
NBA Set to Vote on Anti Tanking Rules
The NBA’s Board of Governors is expected to vote on anti-tanking rule changes May 28, Shams Charania said on NBA Today. Adam Silver said owners unanimously agree the league needs changes before the 2026 NBA Draft on June 22: “We are going to fix it… full stop.” The proposal with the most momentum would flatten lottery odds for 18 teams, making the race to the bottom less rewarding. Other ideas include a 22-team lottery based on two seasons of records and a “five-by-five” format. Charania said there’s “not a perfect solution,” so the league is still working through the details. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: The NBA picks flatter lottery odds, but teams will still find new ways to chase better draft position.
Apr 8
NBA Investigating Kings Foul on Seth Curry
The NBA is investigating the Kings’ intentional foul on Seth Curry late in Tuesday’s 110-105 Warriors win, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. With Sacramento up 101-100 and just over three minutes left, Doug McDermott fouled Curry so Doug Christie could call timeout. Kings sources told Charania Christie thought Sacramento had a foul to give, but it didn’t. Curry made one of two free throws, and Golden State improved to 37-42 while Sacramento fell to 21-59. Draymond Green reacted after the game: “I get fined when I do wrong. Fine the hell outta people.” The league could decide whether Christie’s mistake deserves more than an explanation. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: The NBA reviews it, but Sacramento’s explanation keeps any punishment light.
Apr 8
Warriors Want Steve Kerr Extension
The Warriors want to extend Steve Kerr beyond one season, according to Jake Fischer. Kerr is nearing the end of his current deal, and Golden State would rather avoid a one-year “Last Dance” setup for 2026-27. Fischer also said the team is hoping Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody can recover quickly from their season-ending injuries. Golden State is 37-42 and headed for the play-in tournament, where it needs two wins to reach the playoffs. The Warriors haven’t found much postseason success since winning the 2022 title, so another early exit could shape talks around Kerr’s future. For now, the team sounds committed to keeping him. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Kerr and the Warriors agree on a multi-year extension after the season.
Apr 8
JJ Redick Says Deandre Ayton Struggling to Catch Balls
JJ Redick said Deandre Ayton is having trouble catching the ball after the Lakers got crushed 123-87 by the Thunder on Tuesday. With LeBron James rested and Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves injured, Ayton finished with three points, three rebounds and one turnover in 23 minutes. Ayton has started all 69 games he’s played for the Lakers, but he’s at career lows with 12.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 27.1 minutes per game. The Lakers signed him to a two-year, $16.21 million deal after last season’s first-round loss to Minnesota, and Redick doesn’t have many other center options right now. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Ayton will get plenty of chances to answer Redick’s challenge before the playoffs.
Apr 8
Billy Donovan Drawing Interest From NBA Teams
The Bulls fired Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley on Monday, putting Billy Donovan’s future in Chicago under more attention. Jake Fischer reported Donovan is expected to draw interest from other NBA teams this spring. Chicago gave Donovan a multiyear extension last summer and blocked the Knicks from speaking with him after they fired Tom Thibodeau. The Bulls are 30-49 and headed for a fourth straight missed playoff run. Still, Michael Reinsdorf backed Donovan hard, saying any candidate who isn’t sold on him “is probably not the right candidate for us.” A new front office could still want its own coach, while other teams may test whether Donovan wants out. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Donovan gets calls from other teams, but Chicago keeps him unless its new basketball boss has a clear replacement.
Apr 8
NBA Could See Up To 12 Coaching Changes
Jake Fischer reports the NBA could see “eight to 12” head coaching changes this offseason. Doc Rivers may be out after three seasons with Milwaukee, with Taylor Jenkins already linked to the Bucks. Jenkins could also be an option for Washington if Brian Keefe leaves. Orlando, New Orleans, and Portland are other teams to watch. Jamahl Mosley could draw Pelicans interest if Orlando makes a move, while interim coach James Borrego is also in the mix there. Tiago Splitter is still interim in Portland. Chicago wants to keep Billy Donovan, and Sacramento is still evaluating Doug Christie, who has one guaranteed year left plus a 2027-28 team option. The regular season ends Sunday, with the play-in starting Tuesday. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Milwaukee makes the first big coaching move, and Jenkins gets a serious look.
Apr 8
Wizards Keep 2026 First Round Pick
The Wizards' loss to the Bulls dropped them to 17-62 and locked them into a bottom-three finish. Washington will keep its top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick instead of sending it to the Knicks, Josh Robbins reported. New York will get Washington's second-round picks in 2026 and 2027. The Knicks now have just one first-round pick over the next two years, their own in 2026. That protected Wizards pick had traveled from Houston to Oklahoma City, then to New York in the 2022 draft trade for the No. 11 pick. The Knicks have been here before, too, when Dallas kept its protected pick in 2023. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: The Knicks will look hard for ways to turn those extra second-rounders into help now.
Apr 8