NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 22, 2026, 2:50 AM ET

EASTERN CONFERENCE SHOWDOWN

The New York Knicks seized a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 109-93 victory Thursday, fueled by Josh Hart's playoff-career-high 26 points as he relentlessly attacked the rim. Despite the double-digit loss, the Cavaliers found encouragement in their performance, noting they have erased 2-0 deficits before and remained focused on the challenge ahead. The Knicks' historic 22-point comeback in Game, built on relentlessly targeting James Harden, was a testament to their offensive adjustment, with Jalen Brunson sparking a rally that gave them just a 0.1% win probability at its nadir. Cleveland's coach Kenny Atkinson defended his late-game timeout strategy even as the collapse unfolded, while the series now shifts to Cleveland for Games 3 and. The Knicks' offense, meanwhile, has looked unstoppable with Karl-Anthony Towns morphing into a point-center, creating a multifaceted attack that has the Cavs searching for answers.

WESTERN CONFERENCE TIGHTENS

In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder evened their series with the Spurs behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 30-point bounce-back performance, a night after his subpar MVP presentation showing. The Thunder's defensive pressure was decisive, forcing 21 turnovers to capitalize on San Antonio's mistakes. However, Oklahoma City's injury report deepened as star wing Jalen Williams exited Game 2 with a hamstring issue, leaving his status day-to-day. The Spurs, already without Dejounte Murray, saw Dylan Harper suffer a hamstring injury in Game 2, further testing their depth. Game 1 of the series was a classic, a double-overtime Spurs victory that peaked at 12 million viewers, becoming the most-watched Western Conference finals opener in league history. The Thunder's resilience mirrors their title-run DNA, but their margin for error narrows with each health setback.

FRANCHISE FRONT OFFICE SHIFTS

The Dallas Mavericks mutually parted ways with Jason Kidd after five seasons, a move president Masai Ujiri called a "very tough decision" that was his alone. The coaching carousel continues as the Pelicans hired Jamahl Mosley away from Orlando, while Orlando and Chicago remain in search of head coaches. Off the court, the Portland Trail Blazers laid off a significant number of business-side employees as part of a reorganization under new owner Tom Dundon, signaling a strategic shift for the franchise. These moves underscore a league-wide period of transition, with teams like the Timberwolves—battered in the playoffs—planning an aggressive offseason to close the gap on the elite, and the Cavaliers facing a ticking clock on their core despite their first conference finals appearance since the LeBron James era.