NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: June 2, 2026, 5:45 PM ET

NBA Finals Preview

The NBA Finals tip off Wednesday in San Antonio with the Spurs eliminating the defending champion Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, powered by center Victor Wembanyama's 22 points and seven rebounds. The series will feature a distinctive court design with Larry O'Brien Trophy image painted at midcourt and the script logo for "The Finals" on either side of the court, reminiscent of Finals from the 2000s. Bettors have heavily favored the Knicks, with nearly half of all money wagered on the NBA Finals winner at Draft Kings Sportsbook in New York backing New York—almost as much as every other team combined. The Knicks remained tight-lipped about Mitchell Robinson's availability for Game, declining to reveal whether the center with the broken finger will play despite his participation in individual drills during Tuesday's practice.

Team Preparations & Coaching Changes

As the Spurs prepare for their first Finals without legendary coach Gregg Popovich on the sideline, they're leaning on their veteran leadership to guide the team through the championship series. The Spurs have also lost assistant coach Sean Sweeney, who accepted the head coaching position with the Orlando Magic. Meanwhile, Thunder executive faces critical offseason decisions as extensions kick in and a tax bill is set to soar, potentially straining Oklahoma City's financial flexibility despite their status as a budding contender. The team's offseason plans will be shaped by the upcoming draft, free agency, and trade possibilities that could impact their roster composition for years to come.

International & Business News

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlines Team Canada's 23-player roster for international competition over the next three summers, while Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins notably were left off the squad. In business news, Warriors superstar Stephen Curry signed a 10-year, $400 million endorsement deal with Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning, one of the largest contracts in basketball history. The Dallas Mavericks are exploring a move away from downtown Dallas with a preliminary deal on an arena site that would end their 21-year tenure at Reunion Arena before moving to American Airlines Center. Elsewhere, Joseph Sanberg, whose bankrupt green banking company figured into an NBA investigation of the Clippers, received a 14-year prison sentence in federal court.

Draft & League Developments

to the 2026 NBA draft, scouts are analyzing prospect comparisons from best-case ceilings to realistic floors to identify which current NBA players the top 12 prospects most resemble. In New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order titled "repealing kids' bedtimes for Knicks Finals run," showing city support for the team's championship pursuit. The NBA Finals matchup has prompted executives across the league to debate key questions about the series, including defensive strategies against Wembanyama and the Knicks' ability to maintain their hot shooting, with answers potentially shaping team philosophies around the league for years to come.