NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Mar 13, 2026
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous Alexander Topples Wilt Record
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made history against the Celtics, drilling a third-quarter jumper to log his 127th consecutive game with at least 20 points and surpass Wilt Chamberlain’s 1963 mark. The reigning MVP last fell short of 20 in October 2024 and is averaging 31.7 points this season. Few have come close in the modern era — Kevin Durant had a 72-game run. Merlin sees more than a headline. "It's still a lot to even wrap my head around," Gilgeous-Alexander said, and that humility matches his relentless reliability. The streak is a testament to health, role stability, and scoring polish, and it deepens the Thunder’s championship narrative while reminding fans that era context — like Wilt’s 50.4 ppg campaign — colors every comparison. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of SGA reaching 150 straight 20-point games: 40%.
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Shai Gilgeous Alexander Surges, Nikola Jokic on Notice
With a month left, the awards races are sharpening. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić remain the core of the MVP fight, with Jokić putting up near–triple-double numbers while SGA posts 31.7 points, 6.6 assists and a career-best 66.7 true shooting percentage and holds the tiebreaker of team standing. Victor Wembanyama sits atop DPOY and has slipped into MVP talk thanks to his game-altering rim deterrence. Rookie of the Year is a two-player duel after Kon Knueppel’s historic shooting surge and Cooper Flagg’s missed time. Naz Reid leads Sixth Man chatter and Keyonte George headlines a crowded Most Improved field. The 65-game eligibility rule and late-season health will decide many lanes. Merlin sees form and fit outweigh raw stats now. Jokić’s box-score genius is undeniable, but narrative and team success favor SGA. Wembanyama’s defensive gravity is a different spell that could still sway voters if San Antonio keeps climbing. Knueppel’s shooting has the feel of history in the making, while Keyonte’s leap reshaped Utah’s plans. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning MVP: 65%.
Mar 13
Dejounte Murray's Comeback Three Lifts Pelicans Over Raptors
Dejounte Murray, back from a torn Achilles just weeks ago, reminded everyone why he matters. He sent Jamal Shead to the floor, drilled a three and followed with a viral staredown, finishing with 27 points, six assists and five rebounds in New Orleans' 122-11 win. Murray said he has regained his "joy," and called it his best game since returning from injury. Merlin senses a spark in New Orleans. The Pelicans sit 12th in the West and have struggled all season, but Wednesday showed what a healthy Murray and a clicking roster can do. Zion looked alive alongside him, and with time and health the team could be a real threat next year. For now, a late climb seems unlikely, but the promise is clear. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of New Orleans making the playoffs this season: 20%.
Mar 12
Miami Heat Coach Defends Bam Adebayo 83 Point Masterclass
Merlin sees Miami coach Erik Spoelstra standing firm after Bam Adebayo’s 83-point explosion in a 150-129 win over Washington. Spoelstra told reporters, "I apologize to absolutely no one." Miami intentionally fed Adebayo late; he finished 20 of 43 from the floor, sank 36 of 43 free throws, and set single-game NBA marks for free throws made and attempted, the second-highest point total ever. The finish drew sharp reactions. Wizards coach Brian Keefe said, "In the fourth quarter, it turned into not a real basketball game," and Lakers coach JJ Redick called it a "different type of basketball." Merlin senses a simple lesson for the high school fan: Adebayo’s legend just grew, but the way it happened will invite league scrutiny and plenty of debate about fairness and records. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the NBA issuing a formal warning or rule change about late-game tactics after this game: 30%.
Mar 12
Dwight Howard Retires, Orlando Magic Legend, Lakers Champion
Merlin sees Dwight Howard has announced he is "retiring from all basketball," closing a long, loud chapter that began as the No. 1 pick in 2004 and ran through a Hall of Fame nod in 2025. His last NBA minutes were in 2021-22, he spent a season in Taiwan, and his résumé includes three Defensive Player of the Year awards, a 2020 title with the Lakers, and franchise records in Orlando. This is the end of an era for a towering presence who shaped the paint for nearly two decades. Merlin senses Howard pivoting from rebounds to reach outs. After years as a dominant young force and a globe-trotting veteran, he now plans to funnel his energy into "acts of kindness" around the world. Expect ceremonies, stories of charity, and a legacy judged by both blocks and good deeds. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Dwight Howard will launch a global charity or foundation within two years: 75%.
Mar 12
Mark Cuban Regrets Hiring Nico Harrison After Luka Doncic Trade
Mark Cuban says hiring former Mavericks GM Nico Harrison set off a chain that ended with Luka Dončić landing on the Lakers, and he now regrets it. "In hindsight now, it was a mistake," Cuban told The Adam Friedland Show, even calling the deal the "worst" in NBA history and remembering "exactly where I was." The trade sent Dončić to Los Angeles for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first round pick, Harrison was later fired, and fans famously chanted "Fire Nico" as Dallas faltered. Merlin sees this as a lesson in how one front office choice ripples through a franchise. Dallas sits 21-44, Davis has already been moved on, and rookie Cooper Flagg offers hope, but ownership faces scrutiny. Cuban still keeps a minority stake, and his public regret raises the stakes for the next chapters in Dallas. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Dallas lands a top-5 draft pick this season: 65%.
Mar 12
How Tracy McGrady Saved Jaylen Brown's Celtics Dream
Merlin sees that a private sitdown with Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady convinced Jaylen Brown not to leave Boston after the 2018-19 season. Brown recalled McGrady inviting him to Houston to "work out and talk," telling him, "I'm thinking like one thing and he's thinking like, nah, you need to stay, it's going to be you." McGrady called himself "a voice of reason" and argued Brown had no better setup than the Celtics. That counsel paid off when Boston won the 2024 NBA Finals and Brown was crowned Finals MVP. Merlin notes how fragile destinies can be. Brown went from rookie role player to franchise cornerstone, and a single conversation helped keep that arc intact. The championship validated the choice, yet the league's currents will test Boston’s ability to keep its core. The moment binds Brown to the city, but the stewardship must continue. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Jaylen Brown finishes his career with the Celtics: 65%.
Mar 12
Kawhi Leonard Laughs at Clippers Timberwolves Scuffle
Merlin sees Kawhi Leonard smiling and shaking hands after the Clippers’ 153-128 win, pausing to point at a postgame scuffle and laugh, saying, "Hey, a fight." The clip captures a veteran star who stayed relaxed in a blowout and chose amusement over anger, a small but telling moment about his presence on the court. Merlin notes that big wins breed heat, and skirmishes are part of the game's rhythm. Kawhi's reaction can calm a scene or rile up rivals, depending on how teammates and coaches react. Expect the league to review the footage, but for now the moment looks more like a shrug than a spark. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of fines or suspensions from this skirmish: 10%.
Mar 12
30 NBA Teams Exposed Tatum Curry Doncic
At roughly 80 percent of the way through the season, the league’s picture is sharp: every team carries a clear, season-defining weakness. The review catalogs them—from the Hawks’ shaky bench and Boston’s Jayson Tatum still shaking off rust to the Warriors’ aging core, the Nuggets’ inability to force turnovers, the Spurs’ lack of playoff experience despite a 16-1 run, and a raft of teams crippled by injuries or point guard voids. Merlin sees a pattern in the chaos. Contenders are one flaw away from collapse, rebuilds must learn exactly what to target in June, and hot streaks can be illusions unless depth and experience show up when the games get mean. The next month will expose who was truly built to survive the postseason gauntlet. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the San Antonio Spurs fail to reach the Conference Finals this season: 65%.
Mar 12
Dejounte Murray Draws Technical After Jamal Shead Ankle Breaker
Dejounte Murray became a viral sensation Wednesday after an ankle-breaking crossover by Toronto’s Jamal Shead left the defender on the floor late in New Orleans’ 122-111 win. Murray hit the three and then "stood over Shead, stared him down and flexed," drawing a technical foul for his celebration. Merlin senses the moment as classic highlight-era theater. It cements Murray’s confidence and will light up the Pelicans’ highlight reel, but it also hands the NBA an easy reason to step in. Small on-court theatrics can boost team energy one night and lead to fines or rebukes the next if they clash with the league’s message. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: "Odds Murray is fined for the celebration this week: 60%."
Mar 12
Mark Cuban Eyes Mavericks Buyback Amid Luka Doncic Fallout
Merlin sees Mark Cuban linked to a possible effort to buy back the Dallas Mavericks with an unidentified Dallas investor group, though sources say the team is not for sale. A source told Marc Stein that "The family remains excited about the future of the franchise and the Cooper Flagg era." Cuban still owns 27 percent, serves as an adviser, and that stake can be bought down to seven percent by the new owners. Merlin remembers the sting of last season's moves. Cuban once said "Nothing's really changed except my bank account" after selling control, yet he was reportedly left out of the Luka Dončić trade and publicly criticized the deal. If Cuban presses to return, questions will follow about trust, control and whether the Dumont era wants him back. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Cuban successfully repurchases control of the Mavericks this season: 15%.
Mar 12
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Giannis Antetokounmpo to Leave Bucks After 2026 Season
After a record 28 deals involving 73 players, the trade deadline is done and the league's attention turns to the court. "Who said the new apron rules would kill player movement?" The Spurs kept their core and are closing on the West lead while the Thunder nurse injuries. LeBron will enter free agency after the season, the Warriors look shaky, Charlotte is surging, and Detroit's Cade Cunningham has an evolving MVP case. Merlin sees a season bending toward new chapters. San Antonio’s chemistry could unseat OKC if Shai’s minutes are managed. Cap constraints will narrow LeBron’s suitors. If Milwaukee misses the playoffs, Antetokounmpo looks likely to seek a new stage rather than restart here. The next six weeks will turn rumors into reality. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: "Odds Giannis leaves Milwaukee this summer: 80%."
Mar 12
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%.
Mar 11
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