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Last updated: May 18, 2026, 2:53 PM ET

Coaching Moves & Front Office

The New Orleans Pelicans have appointed Jamahl Mosley as their new head coach, sources confirmed, bringing the 44-year-old to New Orleans after a five-year tenure in Orlando where he compiled a 189-221 record and led the Magic to three playoff appearances. In the Bay Area, Steve Kerr was critical of his own performance in his first media session since deciding to return for a 13th season with Golden State, stating, "I have to be better," after the Warriors were eliminated in the play-in tournament.

MVP Honors & Star Performances

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won his second straight MVP, becoming the 14th player in NBA history to capture back-to-back awards. The honor comes as the Thunder prepare for the Western Conference finals, where SGA has been lavishing his teammates with gifts, including Audemars Piguet watches, Burberry trench coats, and golf clubs. His co-star, Jalen Williams, declared himself fully healthy after missing six games with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, bolstering OKC's lineup for the Spurs series.

Conference Finals Set

The Eastern Conference finals will pit the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers against the New York Knicks, while the Western Conference finals feature a blockbuster matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. The Cavs routed the Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 to advance, with Donovan Mitchell scoring 33 points to clinch Cleveland's first conference finals berth since LeBron James' final season. The Spurs eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games, a series that ended with Anthony Edwards respectfully acknowledging the Spurs after tip-off. On the injury front, Knicks wing OG Anunoby assured he is managing his hamstring effectively, noting the current issue is not as severe as last year's playoff injury.

East & West Previews

League insiders are canvassing opinions on the pivotal questions surrounding the conference finals, with particular focus on how the Spurs' system matches up against OKC's athleticism and whether Cleveland's supporting cast can sustain their supporting roles. Analysts are also dissecting season trends from the three regular-season meetings between the Spurs and Thunder to forecast the series. For the East, the Knicks-Cavs matchup is being broken down by insiders who are examining key stats and strategic adjustments for both teams.

Off-Court Buzz & Future Moves

Off the court, a rare auction saw an eBay user pay $9 million for a lunch with Warriors star Stephen Curry and investor Warren Buffett. In draft news, the NBA combine in Chicago has highlighted key prospect questions, while teams eliminated from the playoffs are now mapping their offseason, which includes decisions on potential trades, free-agent targets, and the upcoming draft. The Pistons, despite their sweep, saw coach J.B. Bickerstaff frame the season as a foundation rather than a disappointment. In a lighter moment, the Cavaliers social media team couldn't resist trolling the Pistons postgame with a "Beat Michigan" jab.