NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: June 2, 2026, 5:48 AM ET

Endorsements & Business

Stephen Curry signed a 10-year deal with Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning, concluding months of sneaker free agency after his Under Armour departure. The agreement marks a significant shift in NBA endorsement dynamics as Curry joins a growing contingent of superstars partnering with Asian brands. Meanwhile, the NBA returned the Larry O'Brien Trophy image to center court for Finals presentation, with the championship hardware painted at midcourt and the script "The Finals" logo positioned on either side of the hardwood—a design choice restored for this year's courts after previous iterations minimized the trophy's prominence.

Legal & Investigations

Former Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg received a 14-year federal prison sentence Monday, stemming from fraud charges tied to his bankrupt green banking venture. The conviction carries direct implications for the NBA's ongoing investigation into the Clippers' partnership with Sanberg's company, which faces scrutiny over alleged financial misconduct that could impact league operations and team ownership structures.

Coaching Changes

The Orlando Magic hired Sean Sweeney from San Antonio as their new head coach, tapping the 41-year-old associate head coach to lead a young roster featuring Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Sweeney's promotion follows his successful stint developing talent within the Spurs organization under Gregg Popovich, bringing championship pedigree to a Magic franchise seeking its first playoff series victory since 2014.

Playoffs & Championship Race

Victor Wembanyama propelled the Spurs past Oklahoma City with 22 points and seven rebounds in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, eliminating the defending champions 111-103 and advancing San Antonio to its first Finals appearance since 2013. Despite securing his second consecutive MVP award, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander labeled his season a failure after falling short of defending the Thunder's title, underscoring the championship-or-bust mentality surrounding Oklahoma City's core.

Finals Betting & Fan Culture

New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order officially repealing children's bedtimes in New York City during the Knicks' Finals run, declaring the unusual measure to accommodate late-night viewing parties throughout Manhattan. The ceremonial gesture reflects the intense public investment in New York's championship pursuit, with Draft Kings Sportsbook reporting nearly 50% of all Finals wagers backing the Knicks—almost matching combined bets on all other teams.

International Basketball

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander committed to Team Canada for the next three summers, headlining a 23-player roster that excludes Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins from the upcoming international competitions. The decision strengthens Canada's backcourt depth ahead of potential Olympic and World Cup qualifying tournaments, while simultaneously addressing concerns about player availability following injuries to key contributors.

Arena Development

The Dallas Mavericks secured a preliminary arena site that would relocate the franchise from downtown Dallas, potentially ending a 21-year tenure at American Airlines Center that began after their Reunion Arena days. The proposed move signals shifting urban development priorities as the team explores options beyond the central business district, though financing details remain under negotiation.

Offseason Planning

With elimination comes transition, and ESPN's comprehensive offseason guide examines what lies ahead for the Thunder, Cavaliers, Pistons, Lakers, Warriors and other eliminated franchises. The analysis arrives alongside updated draft rankings following the college withdrawal deadline, reshaping ESPN's top 100 prospects list as returning players alter the evaluation landscape. For the most highly-touted prospects, comparative analysis to current NBA players provides realistic projections ranging from ceiling expectations to floor assessments.

Finals Matchups

The Knicks-Spurs Finals series presents compelling storylines that could define both franchises' trajectories, with New York's perimeter defense facing the unique challenge of containing Wembanyama's versatility while questions linger about whether Jalen Brunson can overcome traditional size disadvantages at point guard. Injury concerns persist as center Mitchell Robinson plans to play through hand surgery, wearing a protective brace on his broken right pinkie finger in Game 1 as the Knicks navigate their deepest playoff run in decades.