NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 11, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

NBA Playoff Action & Coaching Stability

The Western Conference semifinals saw the OKC Thunder improve to a commanding 7-0 start in the postseason after a dominant Game 3 victory over the Lakers, capitalizing on the injury absence of Jalen Williams while second-year guard Ajay Mitchell flourished as a key scorer against L.A.'s defense focused heavily on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; this performance propelled OKC to become 15-1 favorites to win their series, according to updated futures markets. Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks took a decisive 3-0 lead as Jalen Brunson delivered 33 points, including critical late baskets, to push the Philadelphia 76ers to the brink of elimination despite Joel Embiid's return to the lineup on Friday night. Separately, in Cleveland, James Harden’s clutch shooting in the final two minutes secured a victory for the Cavaliers over the Pistons, cutting Detroit's series deficit to 2-1, with Donovan Mitchell leading all scorers with 35 points.

Amid the high-stakes postseason, Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr officially agreed to a two-year contract extension with Golden State, as confirmed by his representatives, bringing immediate clarity to the organization's immediate future and signaling a commitment to the veteran coach as the team navigates a pivotal offseason period following the conclusion of their season. In separate league news, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch publicly criticized the officiating crew, labeling official Tony Brothers' actions during a fourth-quarter stoppage in Game 3 as “completely unprofessional behavior” after two separate confrontations occurred on the court.

Front Office Moves & Draft Prospects

The Mavericks are reportedly finalizing a significant front-office restructuring, announcing the hiring of former Blazers assistant GM Mike Schmitz to lead basketball operations under President Masai Ujiri, a move intended to reshape Dallas’s long-term competitive trajectory. Attention is now shifting heavily toward the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery, which holds immense weight for approximately a third of the league that arguably engaged in strategic tanking to secure a top selection; analysts are already detailing the most probable picks and best positional fits for every lottery-bound franchise ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated drawing. Separately, prospective NBA player Darryn Peterson revealed that recent medical testing attributed his prior mysterious, debilitating cramping issues to the use of unusually high doses of creatine taken during the season.