NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 25, 2026, 8:54 AM ET

Western Conference Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder struggled offensively in Game 4 of their Western Conference finals matchup, delivering their worst offensive performance in years during a Sunday night loss that allowed the San Antonio Spurs to even the series at 2-2. The Thunder played without guard Ajay Mitchell, who was ruled out with a right calf strain, and star wing Jalen Williams, who missed Game 3 with a left hamstring injury described as day-to-day. Despite these absences, Oklahoma City had shown resilience in Game 3 when their bench overcame an early 15-0 deficit, pouring in 76 points during a 123-108 comeback victory. The series shift marked the first time in 33 games that the Thunder entered a playoff contest as underdogs, with San Antonio opening as favorites for Game 3 after their initial series split.

Eastern Conference Finals

The Cleveland Cavaliers found themselves in familiar territory after a double-digit loss left them facing a 2-0 series deficit against the Boston Celtics. Despite the challenging position, the team expressed confidence, feeling encouraged by their performance in Game 2 and taking comfort in having erased this exact deficit before during the postseason. As Cleveland searched for solutions, the team has increasingly relied on one key player during their roller-coaster season to carry them through difficult stretches. The conference finals appearance marks the first time the franchise has reached this stage since the end of the LeBron James era, with the clock ticking on their current core group as they attempt to build on this unexpected success.

Awards & Recognition

The NBA unveiled its postseason honors with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City and Nikola Jokic of Denver earning unanimous first-team All-NBA selections, while San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama narrowly missed joining them in exclusive company, falling just one vote short of unanimous status. On the defensive end, Wembanyama stood out as the only unanimous selection for the NBA's All-Defensive First Team, joined by Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert and Derrick White. In rookie recognition, the NBA's All-Rookie selections named the Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, the Hornets' Kon Knueppel and the Sixers' VJ Edgecombe as unanimous first-team picks, with the trio leading the way among the league's newest talents. Meanwhile, Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo received the NBA's Social Justice Champion award for his community engagement and advocacy work.

Future Outlook & Draft

The 2026 NBA draft landscape began to take shape after an exciting combine, with Jeremy Woo releasing an updated mock draft predicting all 60 picks. Kentucky freshman center Malachi Moreno, a projected second-round pick in next month's NBA draft, announced his return to school for another year, withdrawing from the draft pool. The Thunder and Spurs, currently meeting in the Western Conference finals, control much of the next eight drafts as part of a group of franchises that possess significant draft assets. Meanwhile, the NBA's coaching carousel continued to turn with the Mavericks and Jason Kidd parting ways, while Orlando and Chicago remain in search of long-term coaching fits, and New Orleans and Milwaukee have identified their next bench leaders.

Player Development & Background Stories

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama continues to develop unstoppable skills, with analysts noting that what makes him so dangerous isn't just his shot-blocking ability but his unique talent for preventing opponents from even attempting shots. The development stems from training at a Shaolin monastery in central China, where monks helped transform him into one of basketball's most dominant forces. LeBron James reflected on the Lakers' playoff exit, acknowledging that his team was "out-talented" by the Thunder during their postseason matchup, offering a candid assessment of the series outcome.

Trade Buzz & Rumors

ESPN NBA insiders proposed six trades that could potentially rock the upcoming NBA offseason, with particular focus on landing spots for Ja Morant as teams look to reshape their rosters. The latest buzz around the league includes significant developments regarding the Boston Celtics, with insiders sharing fresh intelligence from around the association. Brian Windhorst's "The Hoop Collective" podcast featured breaking news and intel from across the NBA, offering insights into the latest league happenings and potential moves ahead of the offseason.

International Basketball & Finals Preview

In a raucous Telekom Center in Athens, Greece, Olympiakos clinched the EuroLeague basketball title with a 92-85 victory over Real Madrid in a back-and-forth championship game. The championship game was attended by NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who watched from the crowd as the European champions celebrated their triumph. With the Eastern and Western Conference finals progressing, analysts began evaluating potential NBA Finals matchups, including intriguing possibilities like Spurs-Knicks or Thunder-Cavaliers as the top teams from each conference battle for the championship.

NBA Business & Culture

The Portland Trail Blazers implemented significant layoffs to business-side employees as part of a reorganization under new owner Tom Dundon, reflecting the ongoing financial adjustments across the league. Celebrity culture continued to intersect with basketball as Taylor Swift and other prominent figures attended NBA playoff games courtside, showcasing the league's mainstream appeal. Golden State Warriors guard Jimmy Butler performed on stage with his ACL injury seemingly healing well, though he jokingly requested that his performance not be shown to his coaching staff, offering a light-hearted moment amid the intense postseason action.