Time for today’s 6 O’Clock news update, the latest daily feature at SheridanHoops.com. If you would like to receive it in your inbox every evening (or afternoon, if you are on MDT or PDT) you can click here to sign up for our RSS feed. 
Let’s take a look at today’s top stories:
Sacramento and Seattle ownership groups make their pitches to the NBA for Kings
While Sacramento has left much to be desired on the court this season, they must prepare to impress tonight when its ownership group, led by Mayor Kevin Johnson, presents its case to keep the Kings to the NBA. The Seattle ownership group, led by hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, finished its pitch early this afternoon, clearing the stage for Sacramento. More can be read from an excellent piece by Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee: “As he has for the past few weeks, Johnson exuded confidence going into the presentation – even saying that following Seattle’s group was a big competitive advantage. “Going 2nd is a plus – like having the ball for the last shot in a tie game with a chance to hit the winner!” he said on Twitter shortly after he arrived at the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan at around 9 a.m. today.”
More on the Kings: “Johnson has been in New York since Monday morning preparing, and says Sacramento has done everything the NBA has asked of it. The City Council last week approved a nonbinding term sheet for a $448 million arena, including a $258 million public subsidy.”
Mark Cuban calls Phil Jackson “first housewife of the Lakers.”
If anybody understands marketing and public relations it’s Mark Cuban. But that doesn’t mean he can’t resist poking fun at a few of his greatest competitors now and again. Cuban took a dig at Jackson, who spoke during halftime when the Lakers retired Shaquille O’Neal’s number Tuesday night: “I have great respect for Phil, Jeanie’s husband as he’ll be now be known. Someone’s got to be the first housewife of the Lakers,” Cuban said. As a little background, Jackson is engaged to Jeanie Buss, the daughter of the late Jerry Buss, and now one of the head executives for the Lakers.
Taj Gibson reinjures left knee, could miss start of playoffs
The only team outside of Los Angeles that has been plagued by more injuries this season has been the Chicago Bulls. With no return for Derrick Rose in sight, Joakim Noah and several key players banged up, the Bulls may have lost another integral part of their team Tuesday night, Taj Gibson. More from Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com: “Gibson says it’s the same MCL he sprained in late February, keeping him sidelined for a month, and he’s hoping an MRI on Wednesday doesn’t show anything more than that.”That’s what happens when you rush back and try to help your team win,” a frustrated Gibson said after the Bulls’ 90-86 loss to the Wizards.”
Bradley Beal out for the season
Sticking on the injury topic, Wizards rookie Bradley Beal has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Beal has put together quite an impressive rookie campaign, especially in the second half of the season since the return of John Wall. Beal averaged 17.5 points in March and 15.2 points in February as the Wizards have continued to improve. Although he’s fallen out of this weeks Rookie Rankings at SheridanHoops, he’s still had quite the year. More from the official press release of the Washington Wizards: “The Washington Wizards announced today that guard Bradley Beal will miss the remainder of the season with a stress injury in his right fibula. He is expected to resume basketball-related activities in approximately six weeks.”
More on Beal: “Beal, who was selected with the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, has averaged 13.9 points, 3.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting .386 from three-point range in 56 games (46 starts) this season and currently ranks third among all rookies in scoring and three-point percentage and second in minutes per game (31.2 mpg). He was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December and January and set the Wizards rookie franchise record for three-pointers made in a season with 91.”
Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter here.