2026 NBA Season

[LogitechMouse]

With both Doncic and LeBron absent, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a heavy defeat against Oklahoma. The game ended 87-123, a 36-point loss for the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers will make the playoffs this year, but I think they'll be eliminated in the first round.
Even if Doncic recovers from his injury, it's unlikely he'll regain his form immediately.

In the other game of the night, Houston defeated Phoenix 105-119 on the road. Alperen had a double-double, but I didn't like his performance in this game. Houston is in good form, winning all 7 of their last 7 games.

Nothing surprising with the Lakers losing to the Thunder, and they've already let LBJ sat for that game because they know that they'll still lose even him playing. It's just a bit unfortunate that it happened on their own home though so for sure there are some fans that are disappointed on the performance of their players.

As for the Rockets, it's good that they won against the Suns and because of that, they're already tied with the Lakers with 50-29 record. Now looking at the remaining schedule for the 2 teams, the Lakers will be facing Warriors, Suns and Jazz while the Rockets will be facing Sixers, Wolves and Grizzlies. Between the 2, the Lakers have a harder schedule, and the fact that they don't have Luka and Reaves right now makes it more difficult so there's a chance that they will end the regular season on the 5th spot hence, not having the homecourt advantage.

Whatever the case is, my expectations with the Lakers right now is low. They'll be facing the Rockets in the first round and even though they don't have a PG, they're way more complete than the Lakers so I will not be surprised if the Rockets will win in 5 games against them.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

As what I know Lebron got left foot injury and maybe the team just decide to let him rest just to make sure that he remain healthy on playoffs. For sure they can't afford to lose another star since this will be huge disaster for their team.

Not good for them to push more harder because they are in playoffs and also seems that OKC is to hard to defeat for todays game. What's important is to make their remaining core players available for playoffs until the other main star goes back on their rotation in playoffs. SGA is really impressive and he's chance to win the MVP award this season is so big.

On the one hand, it’s good that bench players are getting more playing time toward the end of the regular season, as they need to be prepared for the playoffs as well. But on the other hand, this game against the Thunder clearly showed just how weak the Lakers’ roster is without their starting trio.
p.s.
By the way, if I’m not mistaken, Luka seems to have had a similar injury earlier in the regular season, and back then, he was able to return to the lineup much sooner than initially expected. It’s hard to believe, but maybe he’ll be able to return early this time as well.

Yes you are right, Luka also missed some games because of hamstring injuries and so it looks like it was aggravated this time that's why the extend of his rest might be longer as compare to the first time he had this kind of injuries.

But we will have to see, for sure the medical staff of the Lakers are monitoring him day to day basis to see if there's improvement that might bring him to play early as expected. And I read that his might file for case about the 65 games required to be eligible for a award. Luka had played 64 games already, so just one shy of the 65 games as we all know that he is a candidate for MVP.

[danherbias07]

It's sad to see the Charlotte Hornets losing their winning streak after a long, hard work trying to claim the number 7th or 8th seat for the play-in tournament. I became a fan ever since they showed resilience and tried to bounce back with many winning streaks. Anyway, they might just get the 9th seat before the season ends unless the 76ers or the Magic lose both of their last 3 games and the Hornets keep on winning, which is unlikely to happen.

But, they still have a chance in the play-in tournament as long as they win both games. The Hornets' last games for the season will be against the Pistons and the Knicks. Both those teams are on top and don't really need to play hard, so there might still be a little chance there.

[Shinpako09]

Whatever the case is, my expectations with the Lakers right now is low. They'll be facing the Rockets in the first round and even though they don't have a PG, they're way more complete than the Lakers so I will not be surprised if the Rockets will win in 5 games against them.

Agreed. What looked like an easy first round win for the Lakers against the Rockets doesn’t feel like that anymore. The Rockets honestly look like the better team now, especially if the Lakers don’t have Luka and Reaves. Lebron’s gonna carry most of the offense for sure, but you can’t really replace what those two bring. Even if someone steps up, it’s probably not gonna be consistent. One game they show up, next game they disappear. And yeah, Lebron’s still great, but he’s not in his prime anymore. You can’t expect him to score the same way Luka does every game.

[jaberwock]

Unfortunately Luka is ineligible for the reward after he get injured. That's why SGA has more better shot to win the MVP award again this season. So unfortunate for Luka since he have some solid chance to win an MVP award this season, but it seems they are going to appeal his case https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nba-awards-voting-could-delayed-063236684.html so let's see how it will end up for Luka.

But I think media will still vote for SGA since OKC and him still doing great this season.

Doncic not being able to win is a shame, and even with exception application, because of his child's birth and all, he is still not going to get it, which is a big shame and not only that but it makes players not want to try harder, players may just see this and give up and not try to rush back and just relax, Doncic did try and look at what he got in exchange, this tells the whole NBA player base that they do not need to try because nobody will care. Also, even if Doncic is not, I would highly support Jokic, a triple double over course of a full season? Are you kidding me? He should get it over SGA without a doubt.

[OgNasty]

It's sad to see the Charlotte Hornets losing their winning streak after a long, hard work trying to claim the number 7th or 8th seat for the play-in tournament. I became a fan ever since they showed resilience and tried to bounce back with many winning streaks. Anyway, they might just get the 9th seat before the season ends unless the 76ers or the Magic lose both of their last 3 games and the Hornets keep on winning, which is unlikely to happen.

But, they still have a chance in the play-in tournament as long as they win both games. The Hornets' last games for the season will be against the Pistons and the Knicks. Both those teams are on top and don't really need to play hard, so there might still be a little chance there.

Charlotte was a fun team to hope for a Cinderella story.

Pretty crazy that all the NBA's big stars seem to be out right now with injuries or something.  Luka, Wemby, SGA, Giannis...  I'm glad that teams are letting this happen so that we can get healthy stars in the playoffs.  As much as the NBA wants to force these guys to play every night, they really do need some recovery time before the postseason.

[Stavri]

i think they rested Lebron in the Thunder game too. it was expected, because it basically means they accepted defeat from the start.

Lakers will try to find a way to win their remaining games against the Warriors, Suns, and Jazz. But with Doncic and Reaves out, that’s not something Lebron can pull off on his own.

I believe they will not gonna try to compete with higher playoffs position considering their current roster while they already secured the playoffs position.

It’s better to use the remaining match to develop their bench players or test some players that will be a good candidate to replace AR and Doncic position.

Honestly, Lakers run was already over considering the team they will face on the 1st round without Luka.

According to Shams Charania’s scoop they’ve sent Doncic to europe for a special treatment, hoping he could return in 3 weeks... i think it’s a different kind of stem cell therapy that’s banned in the US. that is why they sent him to Spain.
in my opinion, trying to rush Doncic back for the playoffs at half strength would be a huge mistake.

[EFS]

What I've been saying for a week is happening. The Lakers have lost 3 games in a row and the Rockets now caught up with them. They'll probably face each other in the first round. If the Rockets win their remaining games, they could also get home court advantage. The Lakers will have a very tough time without Doncic. The Rockets will beat them in 5 or 6 games depending on home court advantage.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

What I've been saying for a week is happening. The Lakers have lost 3 games in a row and the Rockets now caught up with them. They'll probably face each other in the first round. If the Rockets win their remaining games, they could also get home court advantage. The Lakers will have a very tough time without Doncic. The Rockets will beat them in 5 or 6 games depending on home court advantage.

It's no only Doncic. Missing Reaves almost is just as bad. I mean many people tried to hype the lakers up as they seemingly got together pretty well until all this injury stuff happened, just unlucky. Without those 2 guys they can't compete as it was apparent just yesterday when they got destroyed at home by OKC. I mean, with Luka and Austin out that's basically 60 points per game they are missing. And, they obviously don't have the quality in the roster to compensate for that. Unless a miracle happen the season clearly is over for the Lakeshow.

[xLays]

Feel bad for the 76ers. It looks like they might end up in the play-in tournament. Eastern conference standings are getting really interesting right now. There are so many possible scenarios for which teams will secure direct playoff spot and which one will have to go through the play-in.
76ers are in dangerous seed rn. They might end up like the Atlanta Hawks last season, who finished as the 8th seed but still failed to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat made it as the 10th seed last season and still reached the playoffs. It feels like something similar could happen again this season.
What do you think? Which remaining teams in the East will secure direct playoff spots and which ones will have to go through the play-in in the current standing?

[Russlenat]

Feel bad for the 76ers. It looks like they might end up in the play-in tournament. Eastern conference standings are getting really interesting right now. There are so many possible scenarios for which teams will secure direct playoff spot and which one will have to go through the play-in.

It has really changed a lot. I can tell you’ve been following the NBA closely because before, it was mostly the West that was competitive while the East had a lot of weaker teams.
Now it’s different, the East has become very competitive as well, and I think the play-in tournament also played a big role in that change since teams are still fighting for spots even near the end of the season, unlike before when it wasn’t part of the system.

76ers are in dangerous seed rn. They might end up like the Atlanta Hawks last season, who finished as the 8th seed but still failed to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat made it as the 10th seed last season and still reached the playoffs. It feels like something similar could happen again this season.
What do you think? Which remaining teams in the East will secure direct playoff spots and which ones will have to go through the play-in in the current standing?

It’s understandable since injuries really hit this team hard. Now that Embiid and PG are back, I think there’s still a chance they can make it to the playoffs.

With this lineup, they’re already playoff ready, they just need to make a strong run now and build momentum going into the postseason.

[Yaunfitda]

Feel bad for the 76ers. It looks like they might end up in the play-in tournament. Eastern conference standings are getting really interesting right now. There are so many possible scenarios for which teams will secure direct playoff spot and which one will have to go through the play-in.
76ers are in dangerous seed rn. They might end up like the Atlanta Hawks last season, who finished as the 8th seed but still failed to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat made it as the 10th seed last season and still reached the playoffs. It feels like something similar could happen again this season.
What do you think? Which remaining teams in the East will secure direct playoff spots and which ones will have to go through the play-in in the current standing?

If I'm not mistaken, Joel Embiid didn't play much of the regular season and so is Paul George. That's why they are in a rough spot early on and have to win some games late so that at least they can get into the play-in. I do agree that they are still very dangerous and who ever they face if they make it, should not take them lightly as they have their own version of the big 3. Only problem with them is that they are inconsistent. There are games that Embiid looks like the MVP that he used to be and PG prime and shooting very hot in the outside. But most of the time, there is a disconnect, they even have one of the hottest rookie at the start with VJ so again, they shouldn't be written off in they make it to the play-in or playoff.

[rbynxx]

Feel bad for the 76ers. It looks like they might end up in the play-in tournament. Eastern conference standings are getting really interesting right now. There are so many possible scenarios for which teams will secure direct playoff spot and which one will have to go through the play-in.
76ers are in dangerous seed rn. They might end up like the Atlanta Hawks last season, who finished as the 8th seed but still failed to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat made it as the 10th seed last season and still reached the playoffs. It feels like something similar could happen again this season.
What do you think? Which remaining teams in the East will secure direct playoff spots and which ones will have to go through the play-in in the current standing?

Well, if Embiid is healthy they might get a good game in the end but this guy seems to not gonna end up like that, it will be his injury management that will prosper. The Miami Heat is definitely gonna dig through the top, they've been doing that for consecutive years now just being in the play-in tournament and that's what make them dangerous right now, they've got the veteran coach that could help them. I think the Charlotte Hornets is a top candidate to secure the spot, they're really a dark horse to watch for.

[fullfitlarry]

Feel bad for the 76ers. It looks like they might end up in the play-in tournament. Eastern conference standings are getting really interesting right now. There are so many possible scenarios for which teams will secure direct playoff spot and which one will have to go through the play-in.
76ers are in dangerous seed rn. They might end up like the Atlanta Hawks last season, who finished as the 8th seed but still failed to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat made it as the 10th seed last season and still reached the playoffs. It feels like something similar could happen again this season.
What do you think? Which remaining teams in the East will secure direct playoff spots and which ones will have to go through the play-in in the current standing?

Well, if Embiid is healthy they might get a good game in the end but this guy seems to not gonna end up like that, it will be his injury management that will prosper. The Miami Heat is definitely gonna dig through the top, they've been doing that for consecutive years now just being in the play-in tournament and that's what make them dangerous right now, they've got the veteran coach that could help them. I think the Charlotte Hornets is a top candidate to secure the spot, they're really a dark horse to watch for.

The Heat has a lot of young players and they embrace all their roles, which is the typical Miami Heat culture just like when Butler was their main man. He was surrounded by no names players but did the jump.

As compare to the Sixers, who has a former MVP but very fragile, have a lot of young players in VJ and Maxey, but that's it. Their role players is not that depth plus the injuries on players like George really hurt their chances this season.

[emrecemsan]

Rockets have been one of the most in-form teams recently with a 7-win streak! Do you believe the reason behind is that Udoka has finally started to do the right things with his strategies?

That can't just be a coincidence. Currently they are about to face Lakers in playoffs I guess. I'm confident about Rockets to eliminate them especially while 2 of Lakers' stars are still injured.

LeBron wouldn't get enough help while Doncic - Reaves are both out. Even he can't play like in his prime at this age of course...

[yslyv]

Rockets have been one of the most in-form teams recently with a 7-win streak! Do you believe the reason behind is that Udoka has finally started to do the right things with his strategies?

That can't just be a coincidence. Currently they are about to face Lakers in playoffs I guess. I'm confident about Rockets to eliminate them especially while 2 of Lakers' stars are still injured.

LeBron wouldn't get enough help while Doncic - Reaves are both out. Even he can't play like in his prime at this age of course...

Ime Udoka was just lucky.
His game added something to the tanking Rockets at the beginning but right now he can’t manage a star like Durant, who has left his mark on the last 15-20 years nor Alperen and the other rising stars.
Rockets will only become championship contenders if they part ways with him and sign a coach who gets along well with young players and won't engage in ego wars.

[tech30338]

Rockets have been one of the most in-form teams recently with a 7-win streak! Do you believe the reason behind is that Udoka has finally started to do the right things with his strategies?

That can't just be a coincidence. Currently they are about to face Lakers in playoffs I guess. I'm confident about Rockets to eliminate them especially while 2 of Lakers' stars are still injured.

LeBron wouldn't get enough help while Doncic - Reaves are both out. Even he can't play like in his prime at this age of course...

Ime Udoka was just lucky.
His game added something to the tanking Rockets at the beginning but right now he can’t manage a star like Durant, who has left his mark on the last 15-20 years nor Alperen and the other rising stars.
Rockets will only become championship contenders if they part ways with him and sign a coach who gets along well with young players and won't engage in ego wars.

The rockets are struggling the plays are already design no matter how good they are if they can't execute things properly or they have an off night nothing will change they will lose the game, Udoka is a great coach and he prove it in the Celtics if not only he was in a controversy, meaning he can manage the team, but when it comes to the floor its now the players responsibility to make the plays happen or they need to make the shot.
LA will struggle in the last few game before the playoffs and will surely slide in the standings, without those two, LeBron will have a hard time, this happens the last time, and its happening again, JJ failing to manage and check on players status, if this was pop team, they are already resting, if he see they have lingering injuries.

[dwyane36]

What I've been saying for a week is happening. The Lakers have lost 3 games in a row and the Rockets now caught up with them. They'll probably face each other in the first round. If the Rockets win their remaining games, they could also get home court advantage. The Lakers will have a very tough time without Doncic. The Rockets will beat them in 5 or 6 games depending on home court advantage.

Well, theoretically, there’s a chance that Luka could return to the court much sooner than initially expected. At least, there are now rumors in the media that he is undergoing treatment in Europe, specifically involving injections of "stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, or more advanced regenerative techniques" that are not available in the U.S. It's assumed that this approach to treatment could theoretically help him cut his recovery time in half.

[Stavri]

What I've been saying for a week is happening. The Lakers have lost 3 games in a row and the Rockets now caught up with them. They'll probably face each other in the first round. If the Rockets win their remaining games, they could also get home court advantage. The Lakers will have a very tough time without Doncic. The Rockets will beat them in 5 or 6 games depending on home court advantage.

probably yes. Because Houston really gained a great momentum on the road to the playoffs and this shift in gears and recovery has been crucial. They are currently on a fantastic winning streak. If FVV had been available since the start of the season, we would likely have seen a much better Houston team, as the entire system had to change in his absence.

[coinrifft]

What I've been saying for a week is happening. The Lakers have lost 3 games in a row and the Rockets now caught up with them. They'll probably face each other in the first round. If the Rockets win their remaining games, they could also get home court advantage. The Lakers will have a very tough time without Doncic. The Rockets will beat them in 5 or 6 games depending on home court advantage.

probably yes. Because Houston really gained a great momentum on the road to the playoffs and this shift in gears and recovery has been crucial. They are currently on a fantastic winning streak. If FVV had been available since the start of the season, we would likely have seen a much better Houston team, as the entire system had to change in his absence.

Just when we thought that Houston might go down in the standings, they suddenly got on a good winning streak and just about time to be ready in the playoff as they have a good momentum going for team. And also good to see that Durant is healthy as this point of his career and that the roster is build already. Although I would agree that having FVV as their point guard will do them good. But right now, they have adjusted themselves without him and ready for the next level playoff games as for sure this is going to be a big test for a first year Durant with the Rockets.