NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 14, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

League Governance & Player Personnel Moves

Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed on Wednesday that the NBA has finalized a proposal for a "3-2-1 lottery" system intended to overhaul the current draft lottery mechanism, which he plans to present to the Board of Governors later this month. This administrative focus comes as the league deals with significant personnel changes; sources indicate that Daryl Morey is out as president of basketball operations for the 76ers after six seasons, though coach Doc Rivers is expected to remain in his post. Further off-court news involved the Bucks, as the league concluded its probe into the team's handling of Giannis Antetokounmpo's status without issuing further disciplinary action, even as other reports suggest Milwaukee is now open to fielding trade offers for Antetokounmpo.

The league also mourned the loss of two prominent figures this week: Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, passed away Tuesday due to brain cancer at age, concluding a decade of global ambassadorship for the sport. Separately, Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died unexpectedly at the age of, sending shockwaves through the player community. Meanwhile, players preparing for the future saw decisions made regarding early entry, with Stanford's Ebuka Okorie, North Carolina's Henri Veesaar, and Duke's Isaiah Evans all electing to remain in the NBA draft pool after Wednesday's deadline.

Playoff Semifinals Action & Injury Updates

The Eastern Conference semifinals saw the Cavaliers orchestrate a major comeback, erasing a nine-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to defeat the Pistons 117-113 in overtime, granting Cleveland a critical 3-2 series lead heading back to Detroit. The Pistons, however, were already hobbled for Game, as starting guard Duncan Robinson was sidelined with lower back soreness, an absence that compounds the challenges after coach J.B. Bickerstaff deemed the free-throw disparity in Game 4 "unacceptable" following their loss. In the West, optimism is building around the Knicks' veteran forward, as sources suggest OG Anunoby has a strong chance to return from his hamstring injury by the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, even as his team awaits a critical matchup.

Western Conference action saw the Spurs maintain control against the Timberwolves, taking a 3-2 lead, though star Victor Wembanyama avoided further suspension for an elbow incident with Naz Reid and is cleared to play in Game 5 in San Antonio. Despite facing elimination, Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards projected defiance, stating that no one on the Minnesota squad is overly concerned after the Game 5 loss. The Thunder continued their dominant run, completing a sweep of the Lakers and improving their postseason record to 8-0, escaping a late Los Angeles charge despite the Lakers refusing to concede while facing elimination. Furthermore, reports indicate that Bulls guard Josh Giddey underwent ankle surgery and is expected to miss approximately three months, though he should be ready for training camp.

Officiating Trends & Draft Prospects

The intensity of the current playoff slate is reflected in the officiating data, with NBA referees calling approximately 11% more personal fouls per game now compared to the regular season, representing one of the largest in-game differentials in league history, according to league defense. This increased whistle activity has drawn commentary, such as the Lakers' complaints regarding the officiating standard applied to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder's disciplined approach. Meanwhile, the French basketball contingent is featuring prominently, with Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama facing off as friends who have known each other for over a decade, with their respective teams currently locked in a 2-2 series.

Off the court, the machinery of the next generation of talent continues to churn; the 2026 NBA draft combine in Chicago recently concluded its initial 5-on-5 scrimmages, giving evaluators fresh takeaways on top prospects. The 2026 draft order was determined recently, with the Wizards, Jazz, and Grizzlies securing the top three selections in the selection process, according to an updated mock draft published by Jeremy Woo. Beyond the current crop, Lakers President Rob Pelinka publicly confirmed that the organization would welcome LeBron James back for a potential 24th season should the superstar opt not to retire this summer.