NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 5:58 AM ET

NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Finals

Victor Wembanyama earned unanimous First Team All-Defensive honors while anchoring San Antonio's defense, but the Spurs fell 123-108 in Game 3 as Oklahoma City's bench overwhelmed the visitors with a 15-0 run to open the game. Wembanyama scored 26 points in the loss and acknowledged needing to "make teammates better" as San Antonio trails 2-1 in the series. The Thunder opened as favorites for the first time in 34 playoff games, ending their underdog streak that dated back two years. Jalen Williams was ruled out with a left hamstring injury, leaving Oklahoma City's depth to carry the load against a Spurs team that struggled to match the Thunder's second-unit production.

Eastern Conference: Cavaliers Face 2-0 Hole

Despite dropping Game 2 and facing a 2-0 series deficit, Cleveland players expressed confidence in their ability to recover after erasing similar holes during their championship runs. The Cavaliers' core finds itself in a "LeBron-rooted culture" as the franchise reaches the conference finals for the first time since James' departure, with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland leading the current iteration against a veteran Celtics squad. Boston's experience and home-court advantage has proven decisive through two games, putting Cleveland's championship aspirations on the brink.

Awards and Honors

Wembanyama headlined the All-Defensive First Team alongside Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert and Derrick White, becoming the first player since Draymond Green to earn both All-Defensive and All-Rookie honors in consecutive seasons. On the rookie side, Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe claimed unanimous First Team selections after standout debut campaigns with Dallas, Charlotte and Philadelphia respectively. Bam Adebayo received the NBA's Social Justice Champion award, recognizing his community work and advocacy efforts throughout South Florida.

Draft and Asset Management

Jeremy Woo's latest mock draft projects a deep class headlined by international prospects and college standouts, with teams like San Antonio and Oklahoma City holding significant draft capital through 2032. Both franchises control multiple picks across the next eight drafts, providing flexibility for continued rebuilds while remaining competitive. The Spurs' collection includes several unprotected picks from previous trades, while the Thunder maintain their own selections plus additional assets acquired in the Paul George trade.

Coaching Carousel and Front Office Moves

Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks mutually parted ways after four seasons, opening one of the most attractive coaching positions in the league. Orlando, Chicago and New Orleans continue searching for long-term solutions while Milwaukee and New Orleans have reportedly settled on their next head coaches. In Portland, new owner Tom Dundon implemented significant layoffs across the business side as part of an organizational restructuring that signals a new direction for the franchise.

Player Development and Offseason Notes

Wembanyama's transformation into an elite defender traces back to ancient warrior training methods he incorporated during offseason workouts in central China, according to reporting on his physical development regimen. Meanwhile, LeBron James described feeling "out-talented" by the Thunder in their first-round matchup, acknowledging the young core's superior athleticism and depth. The Lakers' early exit has intensified speculation about James' future in Los Angeles, with contract negotiations expected to dominate the offseason agenda.