The Clippers missing the playoffs is a cause for celebration for the Thunder, as it helps them secure a 2026 lottery pick. For the Clippers, the good news is that they have officially paid off all their debts to the Thunder, finally ending seven years of hardship. In the summer of 2019, to acquire Paul George to pair with Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers sent to the Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, four unprotected first-round picks, one lottery-protected first-round pick, and two first-round pick swap rights.

On April 17 Beijing time, according to The Athletic (TA), league sources revealed: Harden has a $42 million player option for next season, and he is highly likely to opt out. Even if he subsequently signs a long-term contract with a lower annual salary, the total salary value remains substantial. Under the current labor agreement rules, sky-high salaries will continuously squeeze team operational space.

On April 17 Beijing time, according to The Athletic, multiple team and league sources granted anonymity revealed: James has not yet made any decision about his future, retirement remains a real option.

The playoffs are routine for James. By participating this year, he will tie Karl Malone and John Stockton, making his 19th playoff appearance and tying for the top spot in league history. However, the 41-year-old James is looking forward to a new experience this spring: playing alongside his 21-year-old son, Bronny.

As the final buzzer sounded, the broadcast screen was filled with Warriors players embracing and celebrating. They nearly played a perfect quarter, overcoming a 13-point deficit in the final period to win this crucial game and extend their season. A fleeting glimpse in the broadcast showed Leonard and his teammates waiting on the court to acknowledge the Warriors. It was undoubtedly an exciting playoff game, though the outcome was not favorable for them.

On April 17 Beijing time, the third day of the NBA play-in tournament will take place on April 18, determining the final eighth seeds in both conferences. The NBA official website previewed these two games, favoring the Hornets and Warriors to advance respectively.

On April 17th, in Miami, the NBA's ruling that LaMelo Ball's ("Melo") pull on Bam Adebayo was a Flagrant 2 foul warranting immediate ejection did not cause much stir. In Charlotte, the league's decision not to impose an additional suspension on Ball allowed the team to breathe a sigh of relief.

On April 17 Beijing time, the Lakers conducted training to prepare for their first-round playoff series against the Rockets. After the training session, James spoke with the media. Here are the relevant details— Reporter: How do you evaluate the team's preparation training for this series? James: We must be fully focused and committed.

On April 17, Beijing time, the Professional Basketball Writers Association announced that San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama has won the 2025-26 season Magic Johnson Award. This award honors NBA players who excel on the court while also demonstrating cooperation and grace when interacting with media and fans. This season, Wembanyama averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.

On April 17th Beijing time, Donovan Mitchell, the core player of the Cavaliers, will become eligible for free agency next year: his salary for the 2026–27 season is $50.1 million, and he holds a player option worth $53.8 million for the 2027–28 season. This summer, Mitchell is eligible to sign an early extension contract expected to be worth $277 million over four years. Recently, he gave an exclusive interview to The Athletic.