NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 29, 2026, 2:48 PM ET

Playoff Drama & Western Finals

The Western Conference finals head to a decisive Game 7 after San Antonio's dominant 122-88 blowout win over Oklahoma City in Game, where the Spurs shot 58% from the field while holding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to just 18 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Jalen Williams returned from a left hamstring strain but managed only one point in 18 minutes, leaving his Game 7 availability in question despite being active. The series shifts back to Oklahoma City with both teams facing pressure - the Thunder seeking their first Finals berth since 2012 while the Spurs look to advance with home-court advantage.

Front Office Shakeup & Awards

Atlanta elevated Onsi Saleh from general manager to president of basketball operations, securing him to a long-term extension as the Hawks build around their young core. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers laid off over a dozen employees amid organizational restructuring under new leadership, part of broader cost-cutting measures following their early playoff exit. Cleveland confirmed Kenny Atkinson will return as head coach after leading the Cavaliers to the conference finals, while Boston's Joe Mazzulla captured Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Celtics to the NBA's best record and Eastern Conference title.

Draft Landscape Reshapes

The NBA draft lottery reforms take effect this offseason, introducing changes that create new incentives for tanking while altering odds for teams picking in the top ten. Arizona forward Koa Peat kept his name in the draft despite being projected as a late first-round pick, joining a pool that includes several college returners reshaping ESPN's latest top 100 rankings. Historical analysis shows that teams drafting in the top five have produced few championships over the past two decades, raising questions about whether the revised system will meaningfully improve competitive balance.

Free Agency Outlook & Offseason Moves

League executives are weighing options for several key free agents including Austin Reaves, Jalen Duren, and Mitchell Robinson, whose broken right pinkie finger required surgery but won't prevent him from playing in the Finals with a protective brace. Luka Dončić is partnering with Donnie Nelson on a Rome-based ownership group that submitted a bid to join the developing NBA Europe league, while Stephen and Ayesha Curry expand their restaurant chain into markets where Dell Curry once played. Becky Hammon stood by her comments that players of Jalen Brunson's caliber can win championships, challenging the Knicks point guard to prove her wrong in the Finals.

Knicks Championship Preparation

New York's improbable run to the Finals resulted from bold roster moves and a coaching change that unlocked their potential in the playoffs. Mitchell Robinson's injury won't sideline him for Game 1 against Boston, though his effectiveness with a surgically repaired finger remains uncertain. The Knicks face the Celtics in a series that pits their physical interior presence against Boston's veteran experience, with both teams having made significant offseason investments that shaped their current trajectories.

League Notes & Culture

President Donald Trump plans to attend an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden next month, adding political intrigue to what promises to be a heated championship series. Myra Gordon and Tyrese Maxey welcomed daughter Marvel on May 14, providing a personal milestone during the playoffs. The NBA warned Victor Wembanyama for violating media access rules after he skipped postgame interviews following the Spurs' Game 5 loss, highlighting ongoing tensions between rising stars and traditional media obligations.