NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 27, 2026, 8:57 AM ET

Conference Finals: Thunder Stun Spurs, Knicks Dispatch Cavs

The Oklahoma City Thunder took a 3-2 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs with a decisive 127-114 victory in Game, riding another strong night from their role players to the brink of a Western Conference title. The series had swung wildly earlier in the week, with the Spurs evening the series at 2-2 after Oklahoma City posted its worst offensive performance in years and fell 127-114 in Game. Adding to the drama, Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell was ruled out of Game 4 with a right calf strain, further testing a roster that has leaned heavily on balanced contributions all postseason. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks closed out the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Knicks fans poured into city streets to celebrate, and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani joked about reporting a sweep as the Cavs were dispatched in four games. The Thunder now face the winner of the Knicks-Cavs series, with OKC holding the shortest title odds among Western contenders at 2.9%.

Roster-Building Blueprint

Four conference finalists have emerged, and each offers distinct roster-building lessons for the rest of the league. The Knicks went all-in on bold moves and a coaching change that fueled their improbable run, while the Oklahoma City Thunder relied on a balanced attack that neutralized San Antonio's star power. The Cavaliers' analytical approach kept them competitive early, though they ultimately fell to New York, and the Spurs are proof that drafting high does not guarantee titles — data over the past 20 years shows that picking in the top five has not translated into championships. The same numbers also inform the league's push for lottery reform aimed at curbing tanking, which the board is set to vote on as the playoffs conclude. For franchises building toward next year, the on-court trends shaping these conference finals — from Wemby's dominance to the Cavs' scoring problems — will guide summer decisions.

Wemby Mania and Spurs' Race for Survival

Victor Wembanyama was the lone unanimous selection on the All-Defensive First Team, cementing his status as the league's most disruptive defender. Yet San Antonio's season hangs in the balance after Wembanyama scored just 20 points in a loss to the Thunder and coach Mitch Johnson warned the team must get him going or face elimination. The Spurs survived a scare in Game 4 but now trail 3-2, with Oklahoma City pulling away in Game 5 to seize control. De'Aaron Fox has taken on a veteran leadership role in San Antonio after leaving Sacramento, adding stability to a roster that desperately needs it. Off the court, Wembanyama's cultural footprint continues to grow: his 1-of-1 numbered 2023-24 Panini Prizm Black parallel sold for $5.11 million in a private sale, and stories about the Shaolin monastery in China that helped shape his training have renewed interest in his backstory. For now, the Spurs' urgency is simple — win or go home.

Coaching Awards and Offseason Moves

Boston's Joe Mazzulla was named NBA Coach of the Year on Tuesday, beating out J.B. Bickerstaff and Mitch Johnson in a vote that wrapped up the league's end-of-season awards slate. In Cleveland, Kenny Atkinson is returning as head coach for the Cavaliers next season, giving the swept franchise continuity amid uncertainty. Across the league, the Lakers hired Rohan Ramadas as assistant GM under Rob Pelinka in their first significant offseason move, while the Pelicans' new coach Jamahl Mosley said he wants to unlock Zion Williamson as a playmaker. Becky Hammon stood by her claim that Jalen Brunson could lead a team to a title, telling reporters he would have to prove her wrong. Free agency looms large, with six trade proposals floated for players like Ja Morant and multiple stars poised to get paid this summer shaping next season's landscape.

Legacy and What Comes Next

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic were unanimous first-team All-NBA selections, while Wembanyama missed the honor by a single vote, a near-miss that underscores how close he is to elite individual recognition. Donovan Mitchell reiterated his commitment to Cleveland and expressed confidence in his partnership with James Harden, even as the Cavs were swept out of the conference finals. Bam Adebayo received the NBA's Social Justice Champion award, adding to his off-court profile. On the draft front, Allen Graves will keep his name in the NBA draft as a projected first-round pick, and Christian Anderson is staying in the draft as a top-20 prospect after averaging 18.5 points and 7.4 assists at Texas Tech. Meanwhile, the Knicks enter the Finals with the second-shortest title odds, and fans are already treating the moment like it is 1999 all over again.