NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 10, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Playoff Shakes & Coaching Stability

Golden State Warriors management secured bench continuity, finalizing a new two-year contract for head coach Steve Kerr, a move confirmed by his representatives to ESPN. The decision to retain Kerr, whose intentions regarding returning had been a primary offseason question for the franchise, directly impacts the team's immediate outlook as they navigate a potentially complex offseason involving roster evaluations and potential trade targets following their elimination as detailed in offseason guides. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference semifinals remain highly competitive despite dire circumstances for one contender, as the Philadelphia 76ers fell into an 0-3 abyss against the Knicks, even with Joel Embiid’s return on Friday night.

The New York Knicks cemented their commanding series lead, powered by Jalen Brunson’s 33-point performance that included vital late-game baskets, pushing the 76ers to the brink of elimination as they went up 3-0. In other Eastern action, the Cleveland Cavaliers managed to claw back a victory against the Detroit Pistons, cutting their deficit to 2-1 in their semifinal series after James Harden connected on three crucial shots in the final two minutes while Donovan Mitchell posted 35 points in the 116-109 win.

Western Conference Upsets & Star Play

The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their undefeated playoff run to 7-0 after dismantling the Lakers in Game, capitalizing on the absence of Jalen Williams and forcing the Lakers' defense to overcommit against MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This emergence of second-year guard Ajay Mitchell as a significant playoff contributor has been key to OKC’s dominance, leading oddsmakers to adjust their title projections, with the Lakers now facing 35-1 odds to win the championship, while the Thunder sit at a firm -160 favorite according to futures markets.

League Operations & Personnel Moves

The Mavericks are reportedly installing former Blazers assistant GM Mike Schmitz to oversee basketball operations, placing him directly under President Masai Ujiri in a significant front-office restructuring as they hire Schmitz. Elsewhere in league personnel matters, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch strongly condemned the actions of official Tony Brothers, labeling the referee's confrontation with him during a fourth-quarter stoppage in Game 3 as "completely unprofessional behavior" Finch calls out Brothers.

Draft Prospects & Pre-Combine Buzz

Anticipation is building for Sunday’s NBA draft lottery, which holds immense weight for nearly a third of the league that reportedly engaged in strategic losing to secure a top selection stakes of this NBA draft lottery. Ahead of the event, analysts are publishing mock drafts projecting the most likely picks for every team holding a lottery spot most likely picks, while prospects prepare to showcase their abilities at the draft combine starting Monday. Intriguingly, one hopeful, Darryn Peterson, disclosed that medical testing attributed his previous debilitating cramping issues to high doses of creatine supplementation Peterson links cramping to creatine.