Adam Silver (NBA Commissioner)
28 March
Silver confirmed the league will focus more seriously on expansion after completing the $6.1B Celtics sale.
With Las Vegas and Seattle as frontrunners, expansion hinges on revenue clarity post-Celtics deal and regional broadcast uncertainties. Seattle’s strong fanbase keeps hopes alive despite no set timeline.
Gary Payton II (Golden State Warriors)
Injury sustained on 26 March vs. Miami Heat
Payton suffered a partial ligament tear in his left thumb and will be re-evaluated in a week, missing at least Friday’s game vs. the Pelicans.
The injury, deemed a pain tolerance issue post-rehab, sidelines one of the team’s top recent performers. Coach Kerr expects Jonathan Kuminga to fill the defensive void.
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
27 March 2025
LeBron James tipped in a game-winning buzzer-beater to lift the Lakers to a 120-119 win over the Indiana Pacers.
James redirected Luka Doncic’s missed floater with 0.2 seconds left to secure the win, marking his 8th career buzzer-beater and tying him for 2nd-most in NBA history. He finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists, all while breaking out in the fourth after a quiet start. Doncic led with 34 points, and Rui Hachimura added 14. The win moved L.A. to 44-28, 4th in the West, one game behind Denver.
Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks)
Surgery on Wednesday, 27 March 2025
Kyrie Irving underwent successful surgery to repair his torn left ACL in New York. There was no additional ligament or meniscus damage, and recovery now begins.
The surgery, performed by Dr. Riley J. Williams, comes as a major blow to the Mavericks’ playoff hopes. Irving had been the team’s best player before the injury, averaging 24.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 4.6 APG while posting elite shooting splits (40% 3PT, 90% FT). Since the ACL tear, Dallas has gone 3-8 and dropped to 35-38, barely hanging onto a Play-In spot. His absence has compounded a wave of injuries: Anthony Davis recently returned after a six-week layoff, while Daniel Gafford, Dante Exum, and Caleb Martin remain sidelined. Irving holds a $43.9M player option for 2025-26.
Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
26 March 2025
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf and will be sidelined indefinitely.
Initially thought to be a calf strain, Lillard’s condition was revealed after specialist evaluations. He is on blood thinners and under strict medical monitoring. Bucks GM Jon Horst emphasized that his health is the top priority and doctors believe recurrence is unlikely. Lillard’s absence comes at a crucial point in Milwaukee’s playoff push, with the team slipping to 5th in the East. The Bucks have struggled offensively without him, scoring nearly 7 points less per game.
NBA, FIBA
26 March 2025
The NBA is accelerating talks with FIBA to potentially launch a new men’s professional basketball league in Europe or an annual NBA-run competition on the continent.
The development is being discussed at the NBA’s Board of Governors meeting this week in New York. Commissioner Adam Silver hinted at this expansion back in January during the NBA Paris Games. The NBA sees Europe as a high-potential market for both commercial and competitive growth and is exploring whether formalizing a European league could drive more investment and fan engagement. The NBA has had a long-standing relationship with FIBA and sees this initiative as the next logical step in internationalizing the sport further.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
26 March 2025
Curry was ruled out for a second straight game due to a pelvic contusion suffered last week. Coach Steve Kerr said Curry felt discomfort at the end of a Monday workout, prompting the decision to hold him out.
Despite looking good during his individual session, Curry made a movement that “didn’t feel quite right,” according to Kerr. With two days off before their next game, Curry is expected to return Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans, giving him a full week of rest and recovery.
NBA league office, all 30 NBA teams
26 March 2025
NBA informed teams that the salary cap is projected to rise by 10% for the 2025-26 season.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
25 March 2025
Suffered a left ankle sprain after a hard foul
Tatum landed on Domantas Sabonis’ foot after a flagrant foul in the third quarter. He stayed in long enough to take free throws but left for the locker room soon after. Coach Joe Mazzulla said the team is being cautious, and Tatum described the ankle as “just sore.”
Los Angeles Lakers
25 March 2025
Lakers fall to 3-7 in their last 10 games after a 118-106 loss to the Orlando Magic.
Despite a strong start post-Luka Doncic trade, the Lakers are now struggling. Luka Doncic admitted the team got “a little bit satisfied” as their defensive intensity has dropped. Inconsistent third-quarter performances, including being outscored 34-18 by Orlando, are contributing to their skid. Doncic and LeBron James acknowledged their responsibility in leading and refocusing the group. The Lakers sit 4th in the West, only three games ahead of the 7th-place Clippers, with 11 games remaining and three back-to-back
