Latest Basketball News
Lakers Edge Clippers 125-122 Behind Dončić's 38-Point Eruption
The Lakers defeated the Clippers 125-122 on February 20, 2026, with Luka Dončić leading the way with 38 points, 11 assists, and 8 three-pointers. Austin Reaves added 29 points and 6 rebounds for Los Angeles, while Kawhi Leonard recorded 31 points for the Clippers.
The win improved the Lakers to 34-21 on the season.
NBA Commissioner Silver Says Tanking Is 'Worse Than Ever'
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that intentional losing to improve draft position has reached unprecedented levels this season. Silver's comments followed the league's $500,000 fine of the Jazz for sitting players in the fourth quarter despite leading at the end of the third quarter.
The commissioner indicated the league intends to enact anti-tanking rule changes as soon as next season.
NBA Proposes Equal Lottery Odds for All Teams
Among proposed anti-tanking measures under consideration is granting every lottery team the same odds for a No. 1 draft pick, fundamentally changing how the current system rewards losing teams. The NBA is also discussing allowing draft-pick protections only on top-four positions and adjusting lottery odds to be based on a two-year span rather than a single season.
NBA Explores Freezing Lottery Odds at Trade Deadline
The league is considering freezing lottery odds at a specific point in the season, possibly around the trade deadline, to reduce incentives for teams to intentionally lose late in the year. This proposal would represent a significant shift from the current format where teams' final records determine lottery positioning.
Restrictions on Consecutive Top-4 Picks Under Consideration
The NBA is exploring rules that would prevent teams from selecting in the top-4 in consecutive seasons, particularly for teams that have consistently ranked among the bottom three. This measure aims to discourage prolonged tanking strategies that some franchises have employed in recent years.
NBA Fines Pacers for Sitting Pascal Siakam
The NBA fined the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for ruling out forward Pascal Siakam due to injury in a February 3 game against the Jazz, after an independent physician determined he could have played. The fine reflects the league's increased scrutiny of roster management decisions that appear designed to influence draft positioning.
Anti-Tanking Reforms Expected for 2026-27 Season
There is a fast-growing push to have at least some measure of anti-tanking rule changes in place for the 2026-27 season, with measures currently at a conceptual stage. The NBA held discussions about these potential reforms at this week's GM meetings and the All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
NBA Addresses Legitimate Rebuilding vs. Intentional Losing
League officials are working to balance discouraging tanking without unintentionally limiting legitimate pathways for struggling teams to improve through the draft. Rebuilding remains a necessary phase for many franchises, requiring careful consideration of how new rules will affect struggling organizations.
Warriors to Host Nuggets in Sunday Matchup
The Golden State Warriors will host the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in an upcoming NBA matchup. The Nuggets will feature three-time MVP Nikola Jokic in the contest.
Mark Cuban Defends Tanking as Path to Improvement
According to Cuban, teams have better chances of improving through the draft, trades, and cap room management—all of which are enhanced through tanking. Cuban argues that fans want hope their team will improve and have a chance to compete for the playoffs, which the draft provides as a crucial vehicle for improvement.