NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 8:43 AM ET

Western Conference Finals: Thunder Storm Back

The Oklahoma City Thunder stormed back from a 15-0 deficit in Friday night's Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs, with coach Mark Daigneault turning to his bench less than three minutes into the contest after a slow start. Without Jalen Williams, who sat out with a left hamstring injury after exiting Game 2 on the same leg, the Thunder still overwhelmed San Antonio en route to a 123-108 victory that put them up 2-1 in the series. The Spurs, meanwhile, lost Harper to a right hamstring injury during Wednesday's Game, compounding their injury woes after already being without Dejounte Murray Fox. The matchup has become the most-watched Western Conference Game 1 in league history, with the double-overtime opener averaging 9.2 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, and the series now carries the weight of what ESPN's analysts project as one of the four possible Finals pairings heading into the weekend.

Wembanyama's Burden

Victor Wembanyama scored a team-high 26 points but conceded the Spurs still trail 2-1 after losing Game, telling reporters he needs to be "more of a team player" rather than carrying the offensive load alone. The French phenom was the sole unanimous selection for the NBA's All-Defensive First Team, joining Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert and Derrick White in a unit that reflects his two-way dominance. A separate profile credits monks in central China with shaping Wembanyama's relentless training regimen, painting a picture of the 7-footer's discipline that extends far beyond the court. Despite his individual brilliance, the Spurs' offensive identity has buckled under the Thunder's defensive rotation, and the series is now being treated as a genuine underdog matchup for Oklahoma City, which entered Friday's game as the first-time playoff underdog in 33 games going back two years and 34 games.

Cavaliers on the Edge

While the West settles its champion, the Eastern Conference picture grows more precarious for Cleveland. The Cavaliers dropped a double-digit Game 2 loss and fell into a 2-0 series hole, yet insist the task ahead is "undaunting" given their history of erasing such deficits. The franchise has turned to one man in times of trouble, and ESPN's coverage frames the Cavs' turbulent season as a roller-coaster that keeps circling back to that single figure. A separate piece warns the clock is ticking on Cleveland's core, noting the team is in the conference finals for the first time since the LeBron James era formally ended, and the sustainability of the current roster is in question. The narrative around potential Finals matchups has shifted as well: ESPN's breakdown of all four possible series pairings includes a Thunder-Cavaliers showdown and a Spurs-Knicks alternative, though the Cavs would need to rally from two down to even reach that stage.

LeBron, the Lakers and the Thunder Gap

LeBron James told reporters the Lakers were "out-talented" by the Thunder in the playoffs, a frank admission that speaks to Oklahoma City's depth and youth. That comment arrives as the league buzzes with updates on LeBron's future in Los Angeles, with insiders weighing whether the 39-year-old will remain with the franchise beyond this season. James is also set to record a live version of his "Mind the Game" podcast with Tyrese Haliburton at Fanatics Fest NYC, a high-profile appearance that signals his continued cultural relevance regardless of on-court outcomes. The Lakers' elimination has left a vacuum in the West that the Thunder are now poised to fill, and ESPN's league-wide chatter suggests front offices are recalibrating around Oklahoma City's trajectory.

Awards, Rookies and the Draft

The NBA unveiled its All-Rookie First Team on Wednesday, with Cooper Flagg of the Mavericks, Kon Knueppel of the Hornets and VJ Edgecombe of the Sixers earning unanimous honors alongside fellow first-team selections. On the defensive side, Wembanyama's unanimous All-Defensive nod reinforces his status as the league's most complete two-way player, while Chet Holmgren's inclusion reflects Seattle's defensive evolution. Jeremy Woo's updated 2026 mock draft projects all 60 picks after an exciting NBA combine week, and ESPN's draft analysts note that OKC and San Antonio control a disproportionate share of future first-round assets, giving both franchises long-term flexibility as they compete now. The Spurs will also open next season with a Paris game against the Pelicans on January 14, followed by a Manchester matchup on January 17, adding international flavor to a franchise still building its global brand around Wembanyama.

Offseason Moves and Organizational Shifts

The coaching carousel is in motion after the Mavericks parted ways with Jason Kidd, while New Orleans and Milwaukee have already found their next head coaches. Orlando and Chicago remain in search of long-term fits, and the shakeup signals front offices are willing to act decisively in the post-season window. The Portland Trail Blazers laid off a significant number of business-side employees under new owner Tom Dundon as part of a broader reorganization, raising questions about the franchise's financial stability. Over in Minnesota, Tim Connelly pledged an aggressive offseason after another blowout playoff loss, with the Timberwolves determined to join the NBA's elite rather than remain a perennial mid-tier team. Bam Adebayo received the NBA's Social Justice Champion award, recognizing his off-court activism during a season in which Miami's roster underperformed expectations.