NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 12, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

NBA Playoff Shocks & Series Status

The Eastern Conference semifinals saw the New York Knicks complete a stunning 3-0 sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers, with Jalen Brunson delivering 33 points to seal the victory late in Game. Despite the return of Joel Embiid on Friday night, the 76ers still fell to an insurmountable deficit, putting them one loss away from elimination. In the other East series, the Cleveland Cavaliers narrowly defeated the Pistons 116-109 fueled by Donovan Mitchell's 35 points, allowing James Harden to hit three critical shots in the final two minutes to cut Detroit's series lead to 2-1. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder blitzed the Lakers in Game 3 to take a 7-0 record, showcasing the emergence of second-year guard Ajay Mitchell as a key offensive threat while Jalen Williams remained sidelined. The betting markets reacted swiftly to the early results, with Lakers title futures flipping dramatically to 35-1 odds against the surging Thunder, who are now favored at -160 to advance further.

Coaching Stability & Front Office Moves

Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr formally agreed to a new two-year contract, ensuring continuity for the Bay Area club as they navigate an offseason full of speculation regarding their core lineup. Sources close to the negotiations confirmed the extension, prompting immediate analysis into how Kerr's return will shape the Dubs' offseason strategy. Shifting focus to team building, the Dallas Mavericks are poised to hire Mike Schmitz as their new General Manager, placing the former Blazers assistant under the leadership of President Masai Ujiri to oversee basketball operations. Such personnel moves contrast sharply with the turbulence seen on the sidelines, where Timberwolves coach Chris Finch publicly condemned the "unprofessional behavior" of official Tony Brothers following two separate fourth-quarter confrontations during Game.

Draft Lottery & Player Health Notes

Anticipation builds for Sunday's NBA Draft Lottery, which carries heightened importance this year, as a third of the league seemingly tanked specifically to secure a top position among the draft prospects. Analysts are already mapping out scenarios, detailing the most likely picks and best fits for every lottery-bound franchise ahead of the prime-time broadcast on ABC. Separately, prospective NBA player Darryn Peterson offered insight into recent health setbacks, confirming that doctors attributed his debilitating cramping to the use of high doses of creatine following post-season testing.