NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 26, 2026, 11:51 PM ET

Playoff Action & Series Updates

The Western Conference finals remains deadlocked at 2-2 after San Antonio evened the series with a dominant 108-89 victory in Game, where Oklahoma City shot just 35% from the field in their worst offensive performance in years. Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama controlled both ends in the decisive win, with his Defensive Player of the Year-caliber presence disrupting Thunder shot attempts throughout. Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell will miss Game 5 due to a right calf strain, further depleting an Oklahoma City backcourt already dealing with injuries. Meanwhile, the Knicks advanced to their first NBA Finals since 1999 after sweeping Cleveland, with New York fans flooding city streets to celebrate the franchise's resurgence.

Knicks' Championship Run & Eastern Conference Fallout

New York's bold roster moves and mid-season coaching change under Tom Thibodeau culminated in a first conference title in 25 years, positioning them as legitimate championship contenders despite having the second-shortest title odds. Cleveland's Kenny Atkinson confirmed his return as head coach next season, though the Cavaliers were swept convincingly in the conference finals, with Donovan Mitchell reiterating his commitment to the franchise alongside James Harden. Atkinson maintained his analytical approach even after the sweep, claiming Cleveland "analytically" won two of the first three games against New York, though the on-court results told a different story as the Knicks outplayed them decisively.

Season Awards & Individual Honors

Boston's Joe Mazzulla captured Coach of the Year over finalists J.B. Bickerstaff and Mitch Johnson, becoming the first Celtics coach to win the award since Doc Rivers in 2008. Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined Nikola Jokic as unanimous first-team All-NBA selections, while Wembanyama fell one vote short of joining them after averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.9 blocks in his sophomore season. Wembanyama also earned unanimous All-Defensive First Team honors, edging out Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert and Derrick White, while Bam Adebayo was recognized as the NBA's Social Justice Champion for his community work in South Florida.

Draft Developments & Offseason Moves

Santa Clara forward Allen Graves will keep his name in the draft as a projected first-round pick, while Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson maintained his draft status despite being projected in the top-20 after averaging 18.5 points and 7.4 assists. Kentucky freshman center Malachi Moreno withdrew from the draft to return to school, removing a potential second-round prospect from the pool. The Lakers made their first offseason hire by bringing in Rohan Ramadas as assistant GM under Rob Pelinka, while ESPN's draft insiders project all 60 selections following an eventful combine that featured several prospects rising into first-round consideration.

Business & Contract Outlook

Several max-contract candidates headline this summer's free agency class, with teams positioning for significant upgrades as the salary cap projects to rise to approximately $142 million. Aces coach Becky Hammon stood by her critique of Jalen Brunson's championship ceiling, stating the Knicks point guard will have to "prove me wrong" in his pursuit of an NBA title. De'Aaron Fox emerged as San Antonio's veteran leader after choosing the Spurs in free agency, immediately elevating their playmaking and playoff competitiveness in his first season with the team.

Asset Accumulation & Trade Market

Oklahoma City and San Antonio rank among the league's most asset-rich franchises, controlling significant portions of drafts through 2032 while building sustainable contender cores. ESPN's trade insiders proposed six blockbuster deals including potential destinations for Ja Morant and other stars, though most scenarios would require substantial salary cap maneuvering to execute. Teams eliminated from playoff contention began their roster reconstruction, with the Magic, Celtics, Nuggets and Warriors targeting specific needs in draft, free agency and trade markets.

Collectibles & Cultural Impact

Wembanyama's 1-of-1 Panini Prizm Black parallel in a private transaction through Fanatics Collect, setting a new record for basketball cards and highlighting the French center's massive market appeal. The backstory behind his development includes training at a Shaolin monastery in central China, where monks helped refine his coordination and mental discipline into what opponents now call the most unstoppable force in basketball. Celebrity sightings continued throughout playoff games, with courtside appearances from entertainment figures and athletes generating social media buzz during high-stakes matchups.