NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 2:45 AM ET

Eastern Conference Finals

The New York Knicks completed a historic comeback, erasing a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime and seize a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. Jalen Brunson sparked the rally by relentlessly attacking James Harden defensively, a strategic shift that flipped the script on Cleveland’s perimeter attack. Coach Kenny Atkinson defended his decision to hold all timeouts during the collapse, a choice now under scrutiny after his team’s massive lead evaporated. The Knicks’ offense, now featuring Karl-Anthony Towns as a point-center catalyst, proved unstoppable, and the comeback marked just the third time in NBA playoff history a team has overcome a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win. The series shift now heads to New York with the Knicks riding a wave of momentum, while the Cavaliers must regroup from one of the most devastating blown leads in conference finals lore.

Coaching Carousel

The NBA coaching carousel spun again as the Dallas Mavericks and Jason Kidd mutually parted ways after five seasons, ending a tenure that included a trip to the 2025 Finals but fell short of championship expectations. Kidd’s departure follows a pattern of teams seeking new direction; the Pelicans have hired Jamahl Mosley as their new head coach after his five-year stint in Orlando, where he compiled a 189-221 record and reached the playoffs three times. Meanwhile, the carousel continues to turn with Orlando and Chicago still searching for head coaches, while Milwaukee has already found its next leader. The moves underscore a league-wide emphasis on offensive innovation and player development as teams reshape their benches for the next cycle.

Player Futures & Contracts

The Detroit Pistons’ front office is working to retain its core, with general manager Trajan Langdon stating the team hopes to re-sign All-Star center Jalen Duren and veteran forward Tobias Harris. Both players are pivotal to the Pistons’ young core, with Duren’s interior dominance and Harris’s two-way versatility forming the foundation of a potential playoff team. On the MVP front, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admitted “I have to be better” after a subpar performance in Oklahoma City’s win, despite receiving his second straight MVP trophy in a pregame ceremony. His self-critique highlights the high standards he’s set, even as the Thunder advance. The latest buzz also includes ongoing speculation about LeBron James’s future in Los Angeles, with teams monitoring his situation as the offseason approaches.

Off-Court Moves

Ben Simmons, the Philadelphia 76ers’ point guard, celebrated a victory in a very different arena, as his sportfishing club captured the Blue Marlin Open in the Bahamas. The win provided a rare positive headline for Simmons amid continued trade rumors and injury concerns. In international news, Australian NBA veteran Joe Ingles confirmed his return to the NBL, calling the two-year deal with Melbourne United “incredibly special” and a chance to finish his career at home. Meanwhile, retired three-time NBA champion Rick Fox has entered politics, appointed as a senator for the opposition in the Bahamas after his recent electoral defeat. These moves reflect the diverse post-playing career paths of NBA figures, from sports ownership to public service.