NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

NBA Playoff & Series Updates

The Western Conference playoff landscape remains volatile after the Spurs seized control of their series against the Timberwolves, taking a 3-2 lead that puts Minnesota on the brink of elimination. Despite the Game 5 defeat, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards maintained a defiant posture, insisting that nobody on the squad is "too worried" about facing elimination in the next contest. Meanwhile, in the East, there is growing optimism that Knicks forward OG Anunoby could return from his hamstring injury by the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, providing a potential boost for New York. Elsewhere, the Cavaliers and Pistons are heading back to Detroit with their series deadlocked at 2-2, following a tightly contested first stretch that required a deep breakdown of key factors heading into Game.

The officiating narrative continues to dominate postseason discussion, with the league defending the 11% rise in personal foul calls per game compared to the regular season, marking one of the largest differential shifts in NBA history. This increased whistle frequency has coincided with some teams, like the Thunder, feeling targeted, as the Lakers are the latest to publicly question the officiating standard applied to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's play. The intensity of these playoff matchups is also being contrasted with the established friendship between French big men Victor Wembanyama and his direct opponent, who have been friends for a decade and are now facing off in a pivotal 2-2 series.

League Administration & Offseason Moves

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the league has settled on a "3-2-1 lottery" proposal, which is now slated for presentation to the Board of Governors later this month in a bid to revamp the current draft selection structure. This administrative maneuvering comes as several teams face significant offseason uncertainty; for instance, the 76ers face a familiar summer after a historic comeback attempt ended in a second-round sweep, compounded by the immediate departure of President Daryl Morey, who sources confirmed is out after six seasons in Philadelphia, though Nick Nurse is expected to remain as coach.

Player Personnel & Injury Updates

In personnel news, Bulls guard Josh Giddey underwent successful ankle surgery and is projected to be sidelined for three months, though he is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp after dealing with persistent hamstring and ankle issues this past season requiring the procedure. to the 2026 draft cycle, the preliminary evaluations from the Chicago combine saw several athletes stand out during the initial 5-on-5 scrimmages, while in the current draft class, Stanford’s Ebuka Okorie, North Carolina’s Henri Veesaar, and Duke’s Isaiah Evans have all announced their decision to remain in the draft pool, foregoing their remaining NCAA eligibility. Jeremy Woo’s post-lottery mock draft currently projects the Wizards, Jazz, and Grizzlies to hold the top three selections in 2026.

A Somber Loss to the Community

The league mourned the passing of two figures in the last 24 hours, with the basketball community grieving the loss of Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay active player, who died Tuesday from brain cancer at the age of 47 after serving as a global ambassador for the sport for the last decade his family confirmed. Collins leaves behind a remarkable legacy as an advocate and barrier-breaker, prompting many to issue thank-you letters acknowledging his courage. Separately, the Memphis Grizzlies announced the tragic death of forward Brandon Clarke, who passed away at the age of 29.