NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 18, 2026, 5:47 PM ET

Western Conference Finals: Thunder Surge Past Spurs

The Oklahoma City Thunder are entering the Western Conference finals as heavy favorites after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander claimed his second consecutive MVP award, becoming just the 14th player in NBA history to win back-to-back honors. The league will formally unveil the MVP on the eve of Game 1, setting the stage for a marquee matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, widely regarded as one of the best conference finals pairings in league history. Ahead of the series, NBA executives debated five pressing questions about the Spurs-Thunder showdown, while analysts identified seven trends from their regular-season meetings that could determine which team advances. SGA has been rewarding his locker room in style, gifting teammates Audemars Piguet watches, Burberry trench coats and golf clubs as the franchise prepares for its deepest playoff run in years. Meanwhile, Jalen Williams declared himself healthy after missing six games with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, a timely return for a rotation that has been central to Oklahoma City's ascent.

Spurs Roster and Cultural Transition

San Antonio's youthful core is leaning on franchise legends to smooth their path forward. Veterans from the Popovich era, including Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and David Robinson, are instilling the "Spurs Way" in an inexperienced squad, blending old-school accountability with a new generation of talent anchored by Wembanyama. The Spurs' path to the conference finals has raised eyebrows league-wide, prompting experts to pick their favorites for the East and West finals and generating statistical deep dives into what the season's head-to-head record can tell us about this clash of Western Conference titans. For Oklahoma City, the reward is a shot at the NBA Finals, while for San Antonio it is a chance to prove that rebuilding around Wembanyama was the right call.

Eastern Conference: Cavaliers Advance Past Pistons

In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers routed the Detroit Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 to reach their first Eastern Conference finals since LeBron James' final season in Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs broke through in dominant fashion, erasing any doubt about their postseason readiness, while James Harden moved past Stephen Curry for 10th on the all-time playoff scoring list during Cleveland's second-round series. The Pistons' collapse in Game 7 — after burying the Cavs in a huge second half to force the deciding game — left Detroit as 60-1 long shots in the futures market and prompted coach J.B. Bickerstaff to insist the season was not a disappointment despite the lopsided loss. The Cavs' victory came with controversy, as the NBA defended officials for not calling a foul on Jarrett Allen in the closing seconds of Game 5, and Cleveland took to social media to troll Detroit multiple times immediately after the buzzer.

Fallout and Long-Term Questions

The Cavs-Pistons series has raised uncomfortable questions for Cleveland. A third straight second-round loss would have invited enormous scrutiny of the team's superstars, and while they avoided that fate, the margin of victory in Game 7 was razor-thin after Detroit mounted a furious comeback. The Pistons' elimination also left coach Bickerstaff reflecting on a season that exceeded early expectations but fell short when it mattered most. For the Thunder and Spurs, insiders offered statistical context and big-picture questions heading into both conference finals, while league executives flagged five franchise-altering decisions that could reshape the offseason across the league.

Offseason Moves and Coaching Shakeup

The coaching carousel is spinning fast. The Pelicans hired Jamahl Mosley as their new head coach, giving him the keys after five seasons in Orlando where he posted a 189-221 record but guided the Magic to three playoff berths. Over in Golden State, Steve Kerr acknowledged he "has to be better" in his 13th season after a critical self-assessment of his 12th, while assistant coaches Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse are departing the franchise, a shake-up that could alter the Warriors' staff for next season. The Bucks' Myles Turner told his podcast that former coach Doc Rivers "didn't fine anybody ever" and that Giannis Antetokounmpo would "show up whenever he wants", adding fuel to ongoing discussions about star availability and accountability.

Draft, Free Agency and Side Stories

The NBA draft combine produced headlines beyond the court, as Cooper Flagg and Arianna Roberts confirmed their relationship after sharing vacation memories from Turks and Caicos. An eBay bidder paid $9,000,100 for a private lunch with Stephen Curry and Warren Buffett, a figure that will likely stand as one of the more extravagant sports memorabilia transactions of the year. In the Eastern Conference, OG Anunoby returned to practice with the Knicks saying his hamstring injury is not as severe as the one that sidelined him in the 2024 playoffs, while Anthony Edwards tipped his cap to the Spurs after Minnesota's third straight playoff exit. The postseason is over for most, and offseason guides are now mapping out draft strategies, free agency targets and trade possibilities for eliminated franchises including the Magic, Celtics, Nuggets and Warriors.