NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 8:44 AM ET

Conference Finals Action

The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame an early 15-0 deficit against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, with their bench scoring 70 points to secure a 123-108 victory and take a 2-1 series lead. Despite Victor Wembanyama's team-high 26 points, the Spurs could not contain Oklahoma City's second unit as the Thunder became underdogs for the first time in 34 playoff games. Wembanyama acknowledged postgame that he needs to be "more of a team player" after the loss, while Jalen Williams remains day-to-day with his left hamstring injury heading into Game.

Eastern Conference Outlook

Cleveland's roller-coaster season has led them to rely heavily on one player in times of crisis as they face a 2-0 series hole against the Indiana Pacers, with the task ahead feeling undiscouraging despite the daunting deficit. The Cavaliers have erased similar 2-0 deficits before and took encouragement from their Game 2 performance, though the clock is ticking on Cleveland's core as they compete in the conference finals for the first time since the LeBron James era ended. Meanwhile, LeBron James acknowledged the Lakers were "out-talented" by the Thunder in their playoff matchup, highlighting the talent gap that separated the teams.

Individual Accolades & Awards

Victor Wembanyama earned unanimous First Team All-Defensive honors alongside Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert and Derrick White, while the NBA's All-Rookie First Team featured unanimous selections Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe among six honorees. Bam Adebayo was named the NBA's Social Justice Champion for his community work, and Wembanyama's defensive excellence was cultivated through ancient warrior training with monks in central China that transformed him into basketball's most unstoppable force.

Draft Preparation & Asset Management

Following an exciting week at the 2026 NBA combine, Jeremy Woo's mock draft projects all 60 picks as teams evaluate prospects ahead of draft night. Oklahoma City and San Antonio control much of the next eight drafts as the league's two best teams lead a group of franchises with significant draft capital. The Mavericks and Hornets landed top prospects in Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel respectively, setting up strong rookie campaigns for the upcoming season.

Coaching Changes & Organizational Moves

Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks have mutually parted ways as part of the NBA's ongoing coaching carousel, with Orlando and Chicago still seeking long-term solutions while New Orleans and Milwaukee have found their next head coaches. The Portland Trail Blazers laid off significant business-side employees as part of a reorganization under new owner Tom Dundon, marking major structural changes for the franchise.

League-Wide Buzz

Latest NBA intel suggests several teams are actively pursuing moves as the offseason approaches, with LeBron James' future in Los Angeles generating particular attention among league insiders. Top podcast highlights from Brian Windhorst indicate multiple teams are exploring trade possibilities involving established stars, while draft positioning remains fluid for several lottery-bound franchises.