NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 21, 2026, 8:48 AM ET

Conference Finals: East and West Ignite

The Eastern Conference finals tipped off with one of the most improbable comebacks in NBA history, as the Knicks overcame a 22-point deficit to stun the Cavaliers in Game 1 by relentlessly targeting James Harden, turning a 0.1% win probability into reality. New York flipped the script on Cleveland with Jalen Brunson spearheading a historic rally that forced Kenny Atkinson to defend his decision to hold onto timeouts down the stretch as the lead evaporated. Karl-Anthony Towns has been central to New York's offensive transformation, morphing into a point-center that has made the Knicks look unstoppable heading into the conference finals. Across the bracket, the Spurs and Thunder delivered a primetime classic that averaged 9.2 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, making it the most-watched Western Conference Game 1 in league history. San Antonio won 122-115 in double overtime despite missing De'Aaron Fox, who was ruled out with a right ankle sprain, and the series is now tied at 1-1 after Oklahoma City answered with 30 points from SGA and 21 forced turnovers to even the ledger. Oklahoma City's star admitted he didn't perform up to his second straight MVP standard in the opening loss, then celebrated the tie with watches and trench coats for teammates — a tradition that mirrors last season's title run when the Thunder bounced back from a series-opening defeat twice.

Injuries Mount as Series Shift

Injury concerns are stacking up in both conference finals. Thunder wing Jalen Williams exited Game 2 with a tight hamstring, raising questions about his availability for the remainder of the West finals. San Antonio is dealing with its own roster crisis after guard Dylan Harper suffered a right hamstring injury in Wednesday's loss, compounding the absence of Fox. The Knicks, meanwhile, are cautiously optimistic about OG Anunoby, who practiced Saturday and said his right hamstring is not as bad as the one he suffered in the 2024 playoffs. ESPN insiders weighed in on the biggest questions heading into both series, noting that New York's defensive strategy of attacking Harden at a historic level could be difficult for Cleveland to counter in Game. On the East side, the Cavaliers trolled the Pistons after eliminating them, even as Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff insisted the season was not a disappointment despite a 125-94 Game 7 blowout.

Coaching Carousel and Front Office Shakeup

The offseason coaching carousel is already spinning. Jason Kidd was fired as Mavericks coach after five seasons, with president Masai Ujiri taking sole responsibility for what he called "a very tough decision". The Pelicans hired Jamahl Mosley as head coach, bringing in the former Orlando Magic leader who went 189-221 over five seasons but led the team to three playoff berths. The Mavericks are now part of a broader reshuffling that includes coaching changes across the league. On the personnel front, Pistons general manager Trajan Langdon said he hopes to re-sign All-Star center Jalen Duren and veteran forward Tobias Harris, while Timberwolves president Tim Connelly announced an aggressive offseason plan after another blowout loss ended the team's campaign. The Portland Trail Blazers laid off a significant number of business-side employees as new owner Tom Dundon reorganizes the franchise.

Rookies, Drafts, and Future Stars

The NBA unveiled its All-Rookie teams, with Cooper Flagg of the Mavericks, Kon Knueppel of the Hornets, and VJ Edgecombe of the Sixers earning unanimous first-team honors. Flagg's selection reinforces his status as the centerpiece of Dallas's rebuild, even as the team searches for a new coach. OKC and San Antonio are among a group of franchises that control much of the next eight drafts, giving them a significant long-term advantage. Jeremy Woo updated his mock draft with all 60 picks after an exciting week at the 2026 NBA combine, while league insiders identified five teams with league-altering decisions this summer. Inside sources are also buzzing about LeBron James' future in Los Angeles, and ESPN's NBA insiders have a full rundown of what to expect from the offseason.

League-Wide and International Notes

The Spurs will take on the Pelicans in Paris and Manchester, England, on January 14 and 17 next season, continuing the NBA's push into international markets. Victor Wembanyama's development has been traced to 34 generations of ancient warrior training in central China, a program that helped shape him into one of the league's most dominant forces. Australian legend Joe Ingles is returning to the NBL on a two-year deal with Melbourne United, calling the move "incredibly special". Former three-time champion Rick Fox was appointed as a senator for the main opposition party in the Bahamas, and retired guard Ben Simmons has turned to sport fishing.