NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 5:42 PM ET

Western Conference Finals: Thunder Rally Past Spurs

The Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from a 15-0 deficit to stun the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, storming back with 76 bench points in a 123-108 victory that silenced early concerns about a growing injury list. That comeback underscored how quickly the series shifted narrative after Game 1's historic broadcast, which averaged 9.2 million viewers on NBC and Peacock — the most-watched Western Conference Game 1 in league history. The Thunder entered Friday as underdogs for the first time in 33 playoff games after San Antonio opened as favorites, yet their bench provided the offensive spark the starters could not, outpacing a Spurs rotation already weakened by injuries. Speaking after the loss, LeBron James acknowledged the talent gap, saying the Lakers were "out-talented" by the Thunder in the postseason, a comment that resonated across the league as OKC's depth became the story of the series.

The Thunder's momentum came despite Jalen Williams exiting Game 2 with a tight hamstring and being ruled out for Game 3 with the injury day-to-day, forcing the coaching staff to adjust lineups on the fly. San Antonio lost another key contributor as Dylan Harper suffered a right hamstring injury during their Game 2 defeat, compounding a roster already missing De'Aaron Fox for the series. With both teams dealing with hamstring concerns, the series has taken on an unpredictable tone heading into Game. Ranking every possible Finals matchup has generated debate across the league, with scenarios ranging from Spurs-Knicks to Thunder-Cavaliers, but the immediate focus remains on whether OKC can close out San Antonio before the series returns to Texas.

Cavaliers Facing Familiar Hurdles

The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped Game 2 and fell into a 2-0 series hole, yet coaching staff and players expressed confidence that the deficit is not daunting given their history of erasing similar deficits. The franchise turned to one man in times of trouble throughout a roller-coaster season, relying on LeBron James to stabilize games when the supporting cast wavered. That pattern continued in Game, where New York's historic defensive attention on James Harden offered a roadmap for how opposing defenses might approach Cleveland's offense in the next matchup. The clock appears to be ticking on the core's window as the franchise returns to the conference finals for the first time since the LeBron James era ended, and the front office faces pressure to add complementary pieces before that window closes.

Meanwhile, LeBron James is reportedly weighing his future in Los Angeles with free agency approaching, adding another layer of uncertainty to the league's most prominent franchise. Insiders reported the latest on James' situation during Windhorst's podcast, noting that conversations between James and the Lakers organization have intensified as the offseason nears. If James departs, Cleveland's conference final run becomes both a testament to the current roster's resilience and a signal that the team's long-term plans may need rethinking.

Awards and Roster Moves

Victor Wembanyama received unanimous All-Defensive First Team honors, the only player selected by every voter, with Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert and Derrick White rounding out the squad. Wembanyama's defensive dominance has drawn comparisons to his unconventional training background involving ancient warrior methods practiced by monks in central China, a regimen credited with building the 7-foot-4 phenom into the league's most disruptive defensive force. On the other end of the spectrum, Bam Adebayo was named the NBA's Social Justice Champion for his community work, adding to his already strong case for a deep playoff run.

The NBA announced its All-Rookie First Team Wednesday night, with Cooper Flagg of the Mavericks, Kon Knueppel of the Hornets and VJ Edgecombe of the Sixers earning unanimous selections. Flagg's inclusion caps a remarkable first season after the 2026 draft combine generated significant buzz as Jeremy Woo updated his mock predicting all 60 picks. The league also saw coaching changes as Jason Kidd and the Mavericks parted ways, with New Orleans and Milwaukee finding their next head coaches while Orlando and Chicago continue searching for long-term fits. The NBA's draft asset tiers placed OKC and San Antonio among franchises controlling much of the next eight drafts, giving both Western Conference finalists significant flexibility in building around their cores.

Business and Future Outlook

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 cost-cutting phase for a franchise in transition. The Timberwolves are planning an aggressive offseason after another blowout loss ended their season, with president Tim Connelly publicly stating the roster is "not good enough" and promising moves to reach the elite tier. Across the league, the latest NBA buzz includes ongoing speculation about LeBron James' future and front-office maneuvering as teams position for next season. The Spurs and Thunder will look to build on what was the most-watched Western Conference Game 1 in league history as they battle for a Finals berth that could reshape the league's competitive landscape.