Patryk Stachowiak
NBA Cracks Down on Tanking as Dončić Sustains MVP Push
With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the NBA playoff picture solidifies while Commissioner Adam Silver pledges aggressive action against tanking. The league’s owners held extensive discussions about franchises deliberately fielding non-competitive rosters to chase higher draft picks—a practice Silver deemed unacceptable during Wednesday’s Board of Governors meeting in New York.
“We are going to fix it,” Silver stated. “Full stop.” The NBA Draft Lottery, modified four times since its 1985 introduction, will undergo substantial changes. Silver acknowledged that the current system is not operating optimally, with tanking concerns persisting for decades.
Western Conference Positioning Locked
The New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and Sacramento Kings have all been eliminated from playoff contention. The Oklahoma City Thunder hold the 1-seed, while the San Antonio Spurs secure the 2-seed. Play-in positioning remains fluid among the remaining qualifiers.
Eastern Conference Remains Unsettled
The Detroit Pistons have clinched a guaranteed playoff spot as the 1-seed. The Boston Celtics sit in 2nd place, while the New York Knicks occupy 3rd. The Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks remain mathematically alive for the play-in but face steep odds of climbing into contention. The Charlotte Hornets have emerged as contenders after winning five straight.
Dončić Extends Scoring Dominance
Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers erupted for 43 points in a 137-130 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, including 21 first-quarter points. He became the first player to average 40 points across six road games since Michael Jordan in 1986. Dončić is averaging 40.7 points during his six-game road stretch and leads the league with 33.6 points per game.
His MVP campaign gains momentum alongside his elite efficiency: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dončić remain the only players averaging more than 30 points per game. Gilgeous-Alexander strengthens his case with 14.2 win shares and a +10.7 plus-minus—both league-leading marks.
Awards Eligibility Reshaped by Injury and Participation Rules
The NBA’s 65-game threshold for year-end awards eligibility has eliminated Giannis Antetokounmpo and 41-year-old LeBron James from consideration. Nikola Jokić, a three-time MVP, can miss just one additional game before falling below the threshold. Victor Wembanyama enters the MVP conversation as another leading contender.
Bucks Defend Antetokounmpo Shutdown Decision
One day after the National Basketball Players Association accused the Milwaukee Bucks of attempting to tank by keeping Antetokounmpo sidelined, head coach Doc Rivers offered clarity. “He’s not healthy,” Rivers said. “He’s progressing. He’s just not healthy.” Antetokounmpo is dealing with a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise sustained March 15 against the Pacers.
Notable Performances Reshape Playoff Outlook
Jaylen Brown of the Celtics delivered 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists in a 119-109 victory over the defending champion Thunder. Brown took 14 free throws and outperformed Gilgeous-Alexander, earning MVP chants at TD Garden.
The Philadelphia 76ers exploded for 157 points—their highest output since February 15, 1970—in a 157-137 win over the Bulls. Joel Embiid, returning from a 13-game absence due to right oblique strain, scored 35 points. Paul George, back after a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program, contributed 28 points with 13 coming in the fourth quarter.
Overtime Dramatics in Minneapolis
The Minnesota Timberwolves completed the largest overtime comeback in the play-by-play era by erasing a 13-point deficit to defeat the Houston Rockets 110-108. Minnesota’s 15-0 overtime run secured the improbable victory.
Hornets Disrupt Knicks Momentum
The Charlotte Hornets halted the Knicks‘ seven-game winning streak with a 114-103 victory. Rookie Kon Knueppel led the effort with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting 6-of-10 from three-point range. Knueppel is now the only player age 22 or younger in NBA history to record 250 three-pointers in a single season.
| (1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) play-in winner |
| (2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) play-in winner |
| (3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Toronto Raptors |
| (4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks |
Stay tuned to TipsGG for complete playoff coverage and expert analysis as the regular season concludes.
Read also: Wembanyama MVP Race: Kia Ladder Evolves Into Three-Way Sprint