Pacific Notes: Doncic, Jackson, Harris, Gillespie
If Lakers star Luka Doncic can’t play the remainder of the regular season — which seems likely due to his hamstring injury — he would be the first scoring leader to not make an All-NBA team since 1976, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
Doncic needs to play in one more game to reach the 65-game threshold for All-NBA consideration. The star guard is averaging 33.5 points per game, nearly two more than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.6), who’s second in the league. In 1976, Bob McAdoo won his third consecutive scoring title and was second in the MVP race but didn’t make All-NBA.
On a related topic, Doncic’s absence will test the team’s depth, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times points out. Marcus Smart has missed the last six games with an ankle sprain, though he could return this weekend. Bronny James could see his backcourt role expand in Doncic’s absence.
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Clippers, who are already dealing with a number of frontcourt injuries, may not have Isaiah Jackson for the rest of the season. Jackson has a high ankle sprain and will not join the team on its road trip. He will be out at least one week, Janis Carr of the Orange County Register tweets.
- The Kings’ NBA G League GM, Gabriel Harris, is heading to the college ranks, as he’ll be named the University of Memphis Tigers’ general manager, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. Harris and the Stockton Kings won the 2025 G League championship.
- Collin Gillespie, who is headed to free agency this summer, set the Suns’ franchise record for three-pointers in a season on Thursday night, according to The Associated Press. Gillespie set the mark in the second quarter of the Suns’ 127-107 loss to the Hornets. He made his 227th three-pointer from the wing, surpassing the record of 226 threes, set by Quentin Richardson in the 2004/05 season. “It’s a great accomplishment,” Gillespie said. “And I’m extremely grateful and thankful to everybody here for helping me, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really mean much right now with the loss.”
Grizzlies’ Caldwell-Pope Expected To Exercise $21.6MM Option
Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is expected to exercise his $21.6MM option for the 2026/27 season, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports (Twitter link). It’s the last year of a 3-year, $66MM deal negotiated by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.
It comes as no surprise that KCP chose to take the guaranteed money rather than test the free-agent market. It’s been an abbreviated season for the veteran wing, who underwent season-ending surgery in February to address a misalignment of his right pinky finger.
Caldwell-Pope, who was acquired from Orlando last summer in the Desmond Bane trade, made 51 appearances in ’25/26 for the Grizzlies, averaging 8.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game. His shooting line was .410/.316/.913.
His salary for next season is second-highest on the club behind Ja Morant‘s $42,166,510.
The 33-year-old was a quality three-and-D contributor for several years, winning a pair of championships (with the Lakers in 2020 and the Nuggets in 2023) as a key role player. However, his production has fallen off for the past two seasons, particularly from behind the arc — he shot 38.9% from three-point range in the seven seasons leading up to 2024/25, but has converted just 33.3% of his three-point shots since that point.
Caldwell-Pope’s lone season with the Magic, who signed him to his current deal, was also a disappointment, as he averaged 8.7 PPG in 77 starts.
Warriors Star Stephen Curry Targeting Sunday Return
April 1: The Warriors issued an update Wednesday on Curry’s condition (Twitter link), stating that he participated in in a five-on-five scrimmage on Tuesday and “continues to make progress in his return-to-play protocol.” He’s expected to take part in another scrimmage later this week before being reevaluated over the weekend.
March 31: Warriors star guard Stephen Curry is targeting Sunday’s game against the Rockets for his long-awaited return to action, The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Nick Friedell report.
Curry has been out since January 30 due to patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee) in his right knee. Curry, who went through his first full practice in two months on Tuesday, was scheduled to take part in five-on-five scrimmaging after practice. As long as he continues to progress, the tentative plan is for him to return against Houston.
“He went through a full practice, but it was very light,” coach Steve Kerr said. “We didn’t do anything live.”
A team source later told Amick and Friedell that Curry handled the scrimmage well, but his status will continue to be assessed daily. Curry has appeared in 39 games, averaging 27.2 points and 4.8 assists in 31.8 minutes per night.
Golden State has a back-to-back this Wednesday and Thursday. After Sunday’s contest, the team will have four regular season games remaining.
The Warriors are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference, holding the last play-in spot. They’re a game-and-a-half behind the No. 9 Trail Blazers and three games behind the No. 8 Clippers.
Warriors forward Gui Santos said the team was excited to have Curry participate in practice.
“It’s amazing, man,” Santos said. “Just to have him out there with us, it’s always great. We have a lot more confidence when we have a guy like Steph on the court. There’s no doubt about it.”
Northwest Notes: SGA, Hartenstein, Pullin, Gordon, Johnson
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a chance to win Most Valuable Player honors for the second straight season. He’s battling the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and the Lakers’ Luka Doncic — the league’s top scorer — for that distinction.
However, SGA declined to argue his case following an overtime win over Detroit on Monday, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The Thunder star is the league’s second-leading scorer at 31.6 points per game while averaging a career-high 6.5 assists as well.
“No, I’m good. Thanks for asking, though,” he said. “Yeah, I’m good. I let my game do the talking.”
[RELATED: Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama Argues MVP Case]
Gilgeous-Alexander does believe the MVP talk is a benefit to the NBA.
“I think it’s good for the league. I think it’s good chatter,” he said. “It gives people something to talk about. There’s a lot of good players in this league and a lot of guys in the conversation because of that.”
Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Isaiah Hartenstein‘s decision to bolt the Knicks in free agency during the summer of 2024 has proven to be a wise one, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post writes. Hartenstein collected a three-year, $87MM payday and he’s become the Thunder‘s defensive anchor while also getting more offensive opportunities. “I think [the play-making] has always been there,” Hartenstein said. “I think before I got to the Knicks, it was one of the main things I was doing with the Clippers. But I think as an NBA player you just have to put your ego aside and kind of do what’s best for the team. I think when I was with the Knicks, I kind of had to change the role I was playing. And so, again, I’m just here to help the team whatever way I can, and I think with the Knicks it was more doing stuff differently.” He’s averaging 9.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 24.8 minutes per game this season.
- Timberwolves two-way player Zyon Pullin has been named the NBA G League Player of the Week, the league announced (via Twitter). The award covers games played from March 23-28. In two games, Pullin averaged 37.5 points and 5.5 assists while making 75 percent of his three-point attempts. The undrafted 25-year-old has appeared in just two games for Minnesota this season.
- The Nuggets got some good news on the injury front, Vinny Benedetto of the Denver Gazette reports. After missing Sunday’s win over the Warriors due to a calf issue, starting power forward Aaron Gordon returned to practice Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s game in Utah. “’AG’ looked good today. His comfort level seemed like it was in a good place with the calf. I’m hoping he’ll play (Wednesday),” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. Cameron Johnson, who left Sunday’s game with back spasms, also practiced. “They just kind of popped up on me, maybe after a little bit of contact or something,” Johnson said. “I’m fine now, though. It goes away.”
Lakers, Nuggets Clinch Playoff Berths
The Lakers and Nuggets clinched playoff spots on Tuesday. Both teams entered tonight’s action in position to clinch those spots if the Suns lost, according to the league office. Phoenix obliged by falling to Orlando, 115-111.
Los Angeles, which also secured the Pacific Division title on Tuesday, is looking to hold off Denver for the third spot in the Western Conference. The Lakers won their 50th game on Tuesday and currently have a two-game lead over the Nuggets.
Both teams are trying to stay ahead of the Timberwolves and Rockets — the fifth and sixth place teams in the standings — to secure home-court advantage during the first round of the playoffs.
The Lakers have ridden the excellence of Luka Doncic, the league’s top scorer, to go 15-2 over the last 17 games. Carried by their MVP candidate, Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have overcome injuries throughout the season and will head into Wednesday’s action on a six-game winning streak.
The Lakers and Nuggets join the Thunder and Spurs as teams in the Western Conference that have already secured guaranteed (ie. top-six) playoff berths.
Grizzlies Sign Lucas Williamson To 10-Day Deal
The Grizzlies have agreed to a 10-day contract with guard Lucas Williamson, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. The deal is official, the team announced in a press release.
The former Loyola Ramblers wing has spent this season with the Memphis Hustle and Windy City Bulls in the G League. Williamson went undrafted in 2022, joined the Clippers that fall for training camp and was waived. He spent some time that season in Canada with the Edmonton Stingers.
Otherwise, he has spent most of his pro career in the G League with the Hustle. This season, he’s averaged 7.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 23.7 minutes per game over 46 contests.
Memphis, overwhelmed by injuries, has been filling out its roster with players on 10-day hardship contracts. There’s no indication in the team’s announcement that anyone was cut to accommodate Williamson, which suggests the Grizzlies have been granted a fourth hardship exception.
The Grizzlies brought back Tyler Burton and DeJon Jarreau on second 10-day contracts this month — those contracts will expire on Wednesday night. Adama Bal is also on a 10-day deal with Memphis.
Jaylen Wells (toe) became the fifth Grizzlies player to undergo a season-ending surgery this week, joining Zach Edey (elbow), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), and Santi Aldama (knee). Ja Morant (elbow) and Brandon Clarke (calf) have also been ruled out for the season.
Central Notes: Toppin, Giddey, Antetokounmpos, Haliburton, Pacers
Pacers forward Obi Toppin has scored double-digit points in seven of his last nine contests. He missed most of the season while recovering from foot surgery and has gotten more comfortable with each game, he told Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star.
“When I’m out there on the floor, I really try not to think about my foot,” Toppin said. “Adrenaline is pumping. We’re just super fast running up and down the court. Those lobs or putbacks I got are just reactive things. I don’t think about my foot in those situations. It’s just, get the ball in the rim.”
Toppin has been on a minutes restriction since his return and has yet to play more than 23 minutes in a game. He agrees with that plan.
“It’s not frustrating,” said Toppin, who has two years and $31MM left on his contract after this season. “Obviously, we’re doing it for a reason. I trust coach’s judgment always. He’s been doing this for a long time and we have the best trainers in the world. Whatever they say, I’m going to do. I feel good out there. I know I had like 20 minutes (against the Lakers). I felt really good, but I’m still getting back. I don’t feel like I’m 100 percent back yet. I’m still getting back, getting my feet under me and still getting that feel.”
Here’s more from the Central Division:
- Josh Giddey has three full seasons remaining on his four-year, $100MM contract. The Bulls point guard would like to know just what the front office plans to do to make the club a contender, according to Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune. “Everyone wants to know what’s going on,” Giddey said. “We want to know what the strategy is going forward. If you look at the way this team’s put together now, I don’t know if we’re put together to win a championship this year or whether we’re going into a rebuild or a younger phase.” Over its last 30 games, Chicago is 6-24.
- It’s logical to assume that Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s brother knows whether the superstar will remain with the Bucks or ask for a trade this offseason. That’s not the case, Eurohoops.net relays. Speaking to Toni Canyameras of Mundo Deportivo, Alex Antetokounmpo said he’s not sure, either. “I don’t know. I hope (he stays). We all love him here in Milwaukee, we all want him to stay here in Milwaukee,” said Alex , who is on a two-way deal. “So whatever he decides. I’m his family, but when I mean his family, his kids and wife decide, it’s going to be what’s best for them.”
- Tyrese Haliburton‘s recovery from an Achilles tear was enough for the Pacers guard to endure, but he had another health issue this season. Haliburton endured a bout with shingles, which he discussed on NBA on Prime (Twitter video link). “It has been so awful,” he said.
- Pacers forwards Aaron Nesmith (cervical strain) and Jarace Walker (low back bruise) will sit out Wednesday’s game against the Bulls, coach Rick Carlisle told Dopirak. Andrew Nembhard (low back) and T.J. McConnell (right hamstring) have also been ruled out due to nagging injuries, according to the injury report released Tuesday evening.
Wizards’ Anthony Davis Cleared For Light Contact
Wizards big man Anthony Davis, who has been sidelined with ligament damage in his left hand, has been cleared for light contact as he progresses toward his full return, the team announced (via Twitter). He was reevaluated Monday and his recovery continues to progress as expected, as the hand is healing on schedule.
After Washington acquired Davis at February’s trade deadline, there were conflicting accounts on whether he’d make his Wizards debut in 2025/26. Multiple reporters suggested that the 32-year-old’s season was likely over, but general manager Will Dawkins stated in a media session that he expected Davis to return before the team’s regular season finale on April 12.
While Davis still hasn’t officially been ruled out for the rest of the season, it seems doubtful at this point that he’ll suit up before next fall. There are less than two weeks remaining in the regular season and the club, which has seven games remaining, is currently tied with Indiana for the league’s worst record at 17-58. Washington is well-positioned to land a future franchise player with a little luck in the lottery.
Davis has been part of a blockbuster deal for the second straight season but both of those campaigns have been marred by injuries. Davis has been limited to just 20 outings so far this season, all with Dallas. He averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks in 31.3 minutes per night.
Davis has two years and approximately $121.2MM remaining on his contract, which includes a player option in the final year.
Jayson Tatum, Nikola Jokic Collect Player Of Week Honors
Jayson Tatum added another accomplishment to his impressive comeback from an Achilles tear. The Celtics forward has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, according to the league (Twitter links).
Boston’s star forward averaged 25.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists in three victories during the week of March 23-29. Sunday’s performance in Charlotte was his best game yet this season — he racked up 32 points on 12-of-23 shooting, contributing eight assists and five rebounds without committing a turnover.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic collected the Western Conference Player of the Week award. He had three triple-doubles in four Denver wins last week, registering impressive overall averages of 26.0 points, 17.0 rebounds, and 14.0 assists per contest, with a .563/.438/.773 shooting line.
It’s the third time this season that Jokic has been named the West’s Player of the Week. He also claimed the honor in back-to-back weeks in November.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves (Lakers), Darius Garland and Kawhi Leonard (Clippers), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Alperen Sengun (Rockets) and Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) were the other Western Conference nominees.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Hawks), Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Jalen Duren (Pistons), James Harden (Cavaliers) and Payton Pritchard (Celtics) rounded out the nominees from the East.
Southeast Notes: Heat, Alexander-Walker, Bridges, Magic
It was another ugly loss for the Heat on Sunday as their defense was shredded by the lottery-bound Pacers. Miami is 1-7 over its last eight games after giving up 135 points to Indiana.
“We’ve got to communicate more on the defensive end,” Bam Adebayo said, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “A lot of the first half was us not communicating so they get open threes. Things like that, we’ve got to clean up.”
Head coach Erik Spoelstra said the team is exasperated by its recent futility heading into Monday’s matchup with the Sixers.
“We’re disappointed, we’re upset, we’re angry,” Spoelstra said. “We need to use it as fuel and bring a great game [Monday].”
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker is making a strong push for Most Improved Player. An offseason free agent acquisition, Alexander-Walker has averaged 20.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He averaged 9.4 PPG in a more limited role for Minnesota last season. “I always figured that the better player I would be, the better it would be for the team,” Alexander-Walker told Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Like, if you can be a better player, ultimately, it’s going to be better for the team. So, I always try to align things that were going to be hand in hand, you know what I mean? And I would never sacrifice one for the other, and in this league, you can’t really, because I feel like it’s a league that rewards winning.”
- The Hornets woke up on Monday morning in 10th place in the East, though teams five through 10 in the standings are tightly bunched. Charlotte has lost two straight with seven games remaining on their schedule. “We don’t want to depend on teams,” forward Miles Bridges said to Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer. “We want to create our own path to the playoffs. And in order to do that, we’ve got to start winning games again.”
- Another team trying to fight its way out of the play-in tournament, Orlando, was embarrassed by the Raptors on Sunday. The Magic lost 139-87. The 52-point loss was the biggest margin of defeat in franchise history. Orlando also gave up a 31-0 run during one stretch of the blowout loss. “I’ve got to do a better job of preparing them for what they were going to see tonight,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said, per Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. “We talked a little bit about it, but probably not enough — I’ve got to have them prepared for the physicality of the game, prepared for how much they were going to grab, hold and get us off of our spots. That’s on me. I’ve got to do a better job there with this group to make sure they’re prepared in the right way, knowing exactly the sense of urgency that Toronto was going to play with … knowing the positioning that they were in for playoff positioning.”