Marvin Bagley Doubtful for Sunday
Bagley is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bulls. The Mavericks forward is dealing with a shoulder injury.
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NBA News
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Saturday, April 11
Wembanyama Solidifies MVP Case and Discusses Award Eligibility
Victor Wembanyama has closed his campaign as a top-three MVP candidate, with analysts citing his historic two-way impact. The Spurs reached a milestone by playing him in his 65th game, a move aimed at securing a better playoff path. Addressing the league's awards criteria, Wembanyama expressed that while he believes there should be a requirement for qualification, he remains open to the league adjusting the parameters for eligibility.
Brandin Podziemski Scores Career-High 30 Points
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski set a career high with 30 points in a 124-118 loss to the Kings, shooting 9-of-15 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. The performance, which included three rebounds and an assist, drew an amusing reaction from teammate Steph Curry. Podziemski acknowledged the viral attention surrounding his milestone night, which also denied fans in the arena a free pizza promotion.
Luke Kennard Thrives in Expanded Lakers Playmaking Role
Luke Kennard has evolved into an emergency point guard for the Lakers, proving he is more than just the league's leading three-point shooter. Over his last four games, Kennard has recorded 31 assists, demonstrating a significant increase in his ball-handling responsibilities. His ability to facilitate the offense while maintaining his perimeter efficiency has been a critical development for the Lakers as they navigate their current roster needs.
Marcus Smart Returns to Lakers Lineup After Injury
Marcus Smart has returned to the Lakers' rotation, providing a timely boost to the team. Smart had been sidelined since suffering an injury during a March 21 victory over the Orlando Magic. His return comes as the Lakers look to maintain momentum following a season-best nine-game winning streak that was active at the time of his injury.
Dalano Banton Returns to Celtics on Standard Contract
The Boston Celtics have officially signed guard Dalano Banton to a standard contract, utilizing the team's final 15th roster spot. Banton, a familiar face to the organization, returns to the franchise to bolster the backcourt depth as the team prepares for the final stretch of the season. This move completes the Celtics' active roster, providing additional versatility and experience to the rotation.
Aaron Holiday Steps Up as Rockets Prepare for Playoffs
Aaron Holiday delivered a significant performance in the Rockets' recent victory over the 76ers, proving his value as the team heads toward the NBA Playoffs. With Houston looking to solidify their rotation for the postseason, Holiday's steady play and ability to come up big in high-stakes moments have become vital for the team's success. His contributions are expected to remain a key factor as the Rockets enter the playoff stretch.
Dwight Powell's Vital Role Extends Beyond Basketball for Mavericks
Dwight Powell continues to be a cornerstone for the Dallas Mavericks, serving a role that transcends his on-court contributions. Beyond his basketball performance, Powell is recognized for his significant leadership and presence within the organization and the community. As of April 11, 2026, the team emphasizes that his impact is essential to the franchise's culture, highlighting his importance as a stabilizing force for the Mavericks' roster and locker room.
Jaime Jaquez Named Top Contender for 2026 Sixth Man of the Year
Jaime Jaquez is currently positioned as a leading pick for the 2026 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. His performance off the bench for the Miami Heat has placed him in direct competition with other notable reserves like Keldon Johnson. Experts are currently evaluating his season-long contributions as the league prepares to finalize its selection for the prestigious individual accolade.
Keldon Johnson in 2026 Sixth Man of the Year Consideration
Keldon Johnson has emerged as a primary candidate for the 2026 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. As the season concludes, analysts are weighing his impact and production against other top contenders, including Miami's Jaime Jaquez, to determine the most deserving recipient of the league's annual honor for bench excellence.
Bub Carrington Delivers Strong Effort in Wizards Defeat
Bub Carrington was a standout performer for the Washington Wizards during their 140-117 loss to the Miami Heat. While the team struggled defensively, allowing the Heat to score 140-plus points for the third time this year, Carrington's individual play provided a positive takeaway in what was the Wizards' 28th blowout loss of the season.
Friday, April 10
Neemias Queta Returns from Toe Injury to Help Clinch No. 2 Seed
After being sidelined with a toe injury, Celtics center Neemias Queta was cleared for action and returned to the court for Friday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Queta played a role in the team's near-record-setting performance during the victory, which officially clinched the No. 2 seed for Boston. His recent contributions have bolstered his case for the Most Improved Player award, with teammates and observers noting his significant development throughout the season.
LeBron James Secures Home-Court Advantage for Lakers in Dominant Win
LeBron James powered the Lakers to a 101-73 victory over the Phoenix Suns, clinching home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. James recorded 28 points, 12 assists, and six rebounds, keeping the team in contention for the No. 3 seed in the West with a 52-29 record. As the Lakers head into the postseason, James remains the focal point of their championship aspirations, with analysts noting that his presence alone gives the team a legitimate puncher's chance.
LaMelo Ball Records 27 Points and 8 Assists in Loss to Pistons
LaMelo Ball delivered a strong individual performance during Friday's 118-100 defeat against the Pistons, recording 27 points, eight assists, and five rebounds across 33 minutes of action. Ball shot 7-of-20 from the field, including 6-of-16 from beyond the arc, and remained perfect at the free-throw line, sinking all seven attempts. He also contributed defensively with two steals and one block, narrowly missing a double-double in the team's loss.
Tweaks Ankle in Return to Action; Expected to Play Sunday vs. Clippers
Stephen Curry returned to the starting lineup Friday against the Kings after being cleared from a knee injury, but he suffered a minor setback by tweaking his right ankle during the 124-118 loss. Curry was limited to 25-30 minutes in his return and managed his workload as the Warriors push toward the postseason. Despite the new ankle issue, head coach Steve Kerr indicated that the star guard is expected to be available for Sunday's crucial matchup against the Clippers.
Orchestrates Pistons' 118-100 Win Over Hornets to Near 60-Win Mark
Cade Cunningham led the top-seeded Detroit Pistons to a 118-100 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, moving the team within one win of their first 60-win season in 20 years. Cunningham filled the stat sheet with 14 points, seven assists, two rebounds, one block, and one steal across 28 minutes of action. Playing alongside the regular starters, his steady play helped officially lock the Hornets into the play-in tournament with only one regular-season game remaining.
Boosts MIP Candidacy With 20-Point Performance in Victory Over Hornets
Jalen Duren continues to gain traction as a top contender for the 2026 Most Improved Player award following a strong performance in Friday’s 118-100 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Duren nearly recorded a double-double, finishing with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting, nine rebounds, and four assists in 22 minutes. His contributions have been vital as the top-seeded Pistons move within one victory of securing their first 60-win season in two decades heading into the playoffs.
Sidelined With Injury During Lakers' Playoff-Clinching Win Over Suns
Austin Reaves was unavailable for Friday's 101-73 victory over the Phoenix Suns as he continues to deal with an injury. Despite his absence, the Los Angeles Lakers managed to clinch home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs, moving to a 52-29 record. Reaves is considered one of the team's key stars, and his health will be a major factor as the Lakers look to secure the third seed in the Western Conference and prepare for a deep postseason run in the coming weeks.
Contributes 13 Points as Lakers Secure Home-Court for First Round
Rui Hachimura provided a steady offensive spark for the Los Angeles Lakers during their 101-73 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. Hachimura finished with 13 points, helping a short-handed Lakers squad clinch home-court advantage for the opening round of the playoffs. With stars like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined, Hachimura’s production was vital in ensuring the Lakers (52-29) remain in the hunt for the third seed in the Western Conference standings.
Thrives in Expanded Role With 19 Points in Playoff-Clinching Victory
Luke Kennard made the most of an expanded role in Friday's 101-73 win over the Phoenix Suns, scoring 19 points after being cleared to play through a finger injury. Coach JJ Redick has shown increasing confidence in Kennard, utilizing him with more on-ball usage within the Lakers' rotation. His performance helped Los Angeles clinch home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs as the team continues to adjust its lineup heading into the postseason without several stars.