With the actual regular season suspended indefinitely, we're left without our daily NBA fix. In order to try and fill that vacancy in your life, we're here to give you a simulated version of the real NBA schedule on NBA 2K20 each day!
With the rest of last week unaccounted for, we're picking things up this week with daily updates to follow.
Below we have you covered with today's schedule, top performers, obscure stat lines, key results, other news and an updated playoff picture!
Key wins, losses, upsets
• The Pacers let Andrew Wiggins go off for 33 points on 16-for-22 shooting in Indiana and now, they're just a half-game ahead of the 76ers for the No. 5 seed. Celtics fans thank both Wiggins and the Pacers as it's becoming increasingly likely they'll see the Indy in the first round instead of Philly.
• The Raptors pulled off a two-point win over the 76ers and this time, it didn't take six bounces on the rim before the outcome was decided. Serge Ibaka played hero with a huge double-double, Norman Powell's hot hand produced 21 points off the bench and Philly fans are filing a missing person form on Al Horford after going for just six points and four rebounds in 30 minutes of playing time.
• The Spurs upset the Pelicans in on the road as New Orleans falls to 4.0 games back from the final playoff spot in the West with just 13 games left. What's that noise you ask? That's media outlets everywhere panicking that we won't get a first-round matchup featuring Zion Williamson versus LeBron James and Anthony Davis versus half of the Lakers 2018-19 roster.
• The Nuggets held off the Clippers and a 31-point outburst from Paul George behind 32 points from Jamal Murray and a triple-double from Nikola Jokic. Denver is now just one game back from LA for the No. 2 seed in the West.
Top virtual performers
Bam Adebayo – 23 points, 15 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 2 steals
Joel Embiid – 33 points, 15 rebounds
Paul George – 31 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 7 3PM
Serge Ibaka – 27 points, 11 rebounds
Nikola Jokic – 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists
Andrew Wiggins – 33 points, 16-22 FG
Trae Young – 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Obscure stat lines
Dwight Howard – 16 points, 14 rebounds, 7 blocks. Three-time DPOY Dwight gave reigning two-time DPOY Rudy Gobert a taste of 2009.
DeAndre Jordan – 0 points, 0-1 FG, 15 rebounds, 6 assists. DJ was playing strictly for an A+ teammate grade in this one.
Other news
Apparently 2K doctors are magical because Kyrie Irving's shoulder is fully healed and he's back! He scored 24 points on 20 shots in his return game, picking up right where he left off. Not quite sure why Dr. 2K hasn't operated on Kevin Durant though.
March 18 schedule
Golden State Warriors 104, Indiana Pacers 86
Toronto Raptors 114, Philadelphia 76ers 112
Atlanta Hawks 100, Oklahoma City Thunder 94
Boston Celtics 114, New York Knicks 88
Brooklyn Nets 123, Washington Wizards 111
San Antonio Spurs 114, New Orleans Pelicans 104
Miami Heat 104, Chicago Bulls 98
Denver Nuggets 118, LA Clippers 114
Minnesota Timberwolves 120, Phoenix Suns 113
Los Angeles Lakers 108, Utah Jazz 97
Updated playoff race
| Rank | Team | Record | Win pct. | Games back |
| 1. | Bucks | 56-12 | .824 | - |
| 2. | Raptors | 49-18 | .731 | 6.5 |
| 3. | Celtics | 46-22 | .676 | 10.0 |
| 4. | Heat | 44-25 | .638 | 12.5 |
| 5. | Pacers | 40-27 | .597 | 15.5 |
| 6. | 76ers | 40-28 | .588 | 16.0 |
| 7. | Magic | 32-36 | .471 | 24.0 |
| 8. | Nets | 32-36 | .471 | 24.0 |
| - | Wizards | 25-43 | .368 | 31.0 |
| Rank | Team | Record | Win pct. | Games back |
| 1. | Lakers | 53-14 | .791 | - |
| 2. | Clippers | 47-21 | .691 | 6.5 |
| 3. | Nuggets | 46-22 | .676 | 7.5 |
| 4. | Thunder | 43-26 | .623 | 11.0 |
| 5. | Rockets | 41-26 | .612 | 12.0 |
| 6. | Jazz | 41-28 | .594 | 13.0 |
| 7. | Mavericks | 41-29 | .586 | 13.5 |
| 8. | Grizzlies | 34-35 | .493 | 20.0 |
| - | Blazers | 32-37 | .464 | 22.0 |
| - | Pelicans | 30-39 | .435 | 24.0 |
| - | Kings | 29-38 | .433 | 24.0 |
| - | Spurs | 29-38 | .433 | 24.0 |
The views here do not represent those of the NBA or its clubs.
