NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 17, 2026, 5:45 AM ET

Playoff Push: Pistons Force Decisive Game 7

The Detroit Pistons buried the Cavaliers in a stunning second-half rally, outscoring Cleveland over the final two quarters to win their fourth elimination game of the 2026 playoffs and force a decisive Game. The win makes Detroit slight favorites heading into Sunday's rubber match, with oddsmakers listing the Pistons at 60-1 long shots to claim the championship earlier this season. In the same Eastern Conference semifinal, James Harden leapfrogged Stephen Curry for 10th on the NBA's all-time postseason scoring list with a step-back 3-pointer in the first quarter of Game, adding another milestone to a series that has already produced jaw-dropping swings. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves' playoff run ended in Game 6 as Anthony Edwards walked over to the Spurs bench to concede the series, calling San Antonio "the better team" after Minnesota's third straight postseason exit.

Western Conference Finals: Health Updates and MVP Timing

Heading into the Western Conference finals, Jalen Williams declared himself healthy after missing six games with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, giving Oklahoma City a full-strength wing for the series against the Spurs. The NBA will announce the MVP award on Sunday night, one day before Game 1 of the OKC-Spurs series, with both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama among the finalists. The timing ensures maximum visibility for the winner, though it also sets up an unusual dynamic where the league's top individual honor is announced just hours before the two leading candidates square off in a conference finals opener.

Offseason and Coaching Moves

Steve Kerr returned to the Warriors for a 13th season and immediately dialed up the self-criticism, telling reporters he "has to be better" after evaluating his performance in his 12th season as head coach. The comments suggest Kerr, who turned 68 in September, is approaching his next campaign with a sharper sense of urgency following a season that fell short of championship expectations. Across the league, ESPN's offseason guides outline what lies ahead for eliminated teams, from the Magic and Celtics to the Nuggets and Warriors, while five teams face league-altering decisions this summer that could reshape the competitive balance. The draft class also produced talking points at the combine, where second-day 5-on-5 scrimmages in Chicago revealed risers and questions for teams still weighing their selections.

Personal Lives and Market Mania

Off the court, a personal moment captured national attention as Cooper Flagg and Arianna Roberson confirmed their relationship by sharing vacation photos from Turks and Caicos, putting to rest months of speculation about one of the NBA's most-watched young stars. For the Knicks, OG Anunoby returned to practice on Saturday and said his right hamstring injury is not as severe as the one that sidelined him during the 2024 playoffs, a promising sign as New York prepares for its own offseason decisions. And in what may be the most eye-catching transaction of the week, an eBay user paid $9,000,100 for a private lunch with Stephen Curry, turning a charity auction into a nine-figure headline.