Sources: Kings' late foul was error, not tanking
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48432683/sources-kings-late-foul-was-tactical-error-not-tanking

The NBA is looking into what team sources say was a strategy mistake by Kings coach Doug Christie -- and not tanking tactics -- during Tuesday's loss to the Warriors.

Yao Ming, Marc Lasry Invest in Tsai’s Asian College Hoops League
https://www.sportico.com/leagues/basketball/2026/yao-ming-lasry-blitzer-invest-asian-college-hoops-league-1234889649/

The Asian University Basketball League helmed by Alibaba co-chairman and Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai has completed a Series A funding round featuring investments from Yao Ming, David Blitzer and Marc Lasry. A valuation of the league, featuring colleges across greater Asia, isn’t known, but a person familiar with the fundraise characterized it as being […]

NBA teams all want to play faster -- but it might be making them worse
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48414857/nba-fast-pace-slow-pace-offensive-efficiency-playoff-implications

ESPN analyst Zach Kram explores how pace has become a counterintuitive phenomenon impacting the league's best and worst teams.

Tatum clears hurdle, happy to exit MSG on '2 feet'
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48444324/celtics-jayson-tatum-checks-another-box-return-msg

Jayson Tatum had 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in 40 minutes Thursday night but, more importantly, walked "off the floor on my own two feet."

Sixers' Embiid undergoes surgery for appendicitis
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48440701/76ers-joel-embiid-undergoes-surgery-appendicitis

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid underwent emergency surgery in Houston on Thursday after being diagnosed with appendicitis a few hours before the team fell to the Rockets 113-102 in a pivotal late regular-season clash.

Donovan not reading into Reinsdorf's endorsement
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48442739/bulls-donovan-says-not-reading-reinsdorf-endorsement

Bulls coach Billy Donovan, who has yet to decide on his future with the team, appreciated team president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf's endorsement of him but said he understood "everybody's got to look out for what is best for the Bulls."

New U.S. Tax Rule Could Cost Knicks, Rangers $75 Million Per Year
https://www.sportico.com/leagues/basketball/2026/knicks-rangers-tax-law-million-1234889815/

The New York Knicks are headed to the NBA playoffs after winning at least 50 games for the third straight season for the first time in 30 years. The extra home playoff games will boost the team’s coffers, even as its accountants grapple with a new federal tax law that will cost the Knicks’ parent […]

76ers' Embiid out of hospital; no timeline to play
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48450628/76ers-star-joel-embiid-hospital-one-day-surgery

Sixers star Joel Embiid has been discharged from a Houston hospital and is heading back to Philadelphia, with the team saying there is no set timeline for his return to the court.

Heat waive Rozier, open roster spot for addition
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48447174/sources-heat-waive-embattled-guard-terry-rozier

Miami guard Terry Rozier, who has been on leave since October amid a sports gambling probe, has been waived by the Heat.

Sarr (toe) to miss Wizards' final three games
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48442649/alex-sarr-miss-wizards-final-three-games-toe-injury

Wizards forward Alex Sarr is likely to miss the final three games of the season with a toe injury.

Celtics tie NBA record with 29 3s; clinch 2-seed
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48453131/celtics-tie-nba-record-29-3s-clinch-no-2-seed

The Celtics tied the franchise and NBA record with 29 3s on their way to clinching the Eastern Conference's No. 2 playoff seed in a blowout win over the Pelicans on Friday night.

Redick: 'Everybody' wants to face hobbled Lakers
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48453400/jj-redick-short-handed-lakers-everybody-wants-play-us

Lakers coach JJ Redick believes other West teams that still have their seeding to be determined prefer L.A. as their first-round opponent in the playoffs.

King's gambit: Why NBA players are turning to chess
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48389239/rise-nba-chess-popularity-antetokounmpo-wembanyama-derrick-rose

NBA players are spending more time than ever working on the boards -- but we're not talking rebounds.

NBA playoff intel: Early buzz on the Lakers, Celtics, Cavs, Pistons Spurs and Warriors
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48443792/nba-playoffs-intel-lebron-lakers-chances-curry-warriors-issues-major-questions

Are the Lakers toast? Is the Spurs' 3-point prowess real? We canvass the league on six storylines that could define the postseason.

The NBA's most valuable players in 15 categories, from floaters to defense
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48439299/nba-most-valuable-players-15-categories-scoring-shooting-rebounding-passing-more-2025-26

From best fadeaway to the MVP, Dean Oliver uses ESPN Analytics' Net Points metric to wrap up the season by handing out awards.

NBA offseason 2026: Draft, free agency, trade targets for every team
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48432907/nba-offseason-2026-draft-free-agency-trade-targets-30-teams

Summer is here for 10 franchises that missed the postseason. What lies ahead for Milwaukee, Dallas and each eliminated team?

Nuggets sit several players; Jokic questionable
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48461175/nuggets-sit-several-players-vs-spurs-jokic-questionable

The Nuggets are resting the majority of their rotation vs. the Spurs on Sunday, and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is listed as questionable.

Wembanyama checks another 'box,' hits 65 games
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48453963/wembanyama-40-points-13-rebounds-hits-65-games-checks-another-box

Victor Wembanyama reached the 65-game threshold for awards eligibility with a 40-point outing that included 13 rebounds in a 139-120 win over the Mavericks.

Sources: Kings to retain Christie for next season
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48466453/sources-kings-retain-coach-doug-christie-next-season

The Kings are retaining coach Doug Christie for next season, team sources told ESPN.

Lakers fill out backcourt with new Smith deal
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48466487/lakers-needing-backcourt-help-sign-nick-smith-jr-new-deal

With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined by injury, the Lakers are signing two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. to a new two-year contract, his agent told ESPN.

Sources: Rivers out after three years with Bucks
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48470896/sources-doc-rivers-three-years-bucks-coach

Doc Rivers is departing as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, but the franchise and Rivers are discussing whether he will move to an advisory role in the organization, sources said.