NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 27, 2026, 11:52 AM ET

Playoff Action

The Western Conference finals shifted decisively Tuesday night as Oklahoma City turned to unlikely contributors to seize control against San Antonio. Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and rookie Jared McCain provided crucial support alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, helping the Thunder secure a 127-114 victory that gave them a 3-2 series lead. The performance came after Oklahoma City delivered their worst offensive showing in years during Game, when they managed just 99 points in a loss that evened the series at 2-2. Meanwhile, the Spurs face mounting pressure to get Victor Wembanyama more involved after he was limited to 20 points in the Game 5 defeat, with coach Mitch Johnson acknowledging the team needs to better utilize their franchise cornerstone if they hope to stave off elimination in Game.

New York's celebration echoed through Manhattan streets as Knicks fans took to city blocks to mark their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. The Eastern Conference champions closed out Cleveland with a sweep in Game, validating the organization's aggressive roster moves and mid-season coaching change that transformed them from lottery participants to conference titlists. Donovan Mitchell reaffirmed his commitment to the Cavaliers despite the disappointing end to their season, expressing confidence in his partnership with James Harden and backing coach Kenny Atkinson's analytical approach that he believes can lead to future success.

NBA Awards Recognition

Boston's Joe Mazzulla captured Coach of the Year honors on Tuesday night, edging out finalists J.B. Bickerstaff and San Antonio's Mitch Johnson in a vote that recognized his steady leadership of the Celtics throughout their championship defense. The honor came as the league announced its All-NBA selections, with Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic earning unanimous first-team recognition while Wembanyama missed unanimous first-team status by a single vote. Both stars were rewarded for their defensive excellence as well, with Wembanyama earning unanimous All-Defensive First Team honors alongside Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert and Derrick White.

Off the court, Bam Adebayo received the NBA's Social Justice Champion award in recognition of his community work and advocacy efforts. The Miami center's recognition came amid continued discussion about his on-court impact, with Aces coach Becky Hammon standing by her assessment that players of Jalen Brunson's caliber can lead teams to championships, though she acknowledged Brunson will need to prove her wrong in the Finals against Oklahoma City's balanced attack.

Draft & Offseason Moves

The NBA's proposed lottery reform faces a league-wide vote as teams weigh changes designed to discourage tanking while maintaining competitive balance. The modifications come as data shows that top-five draft positions have not reliably translated into championships over the past two decades, with the current final four teams demonstrating that success comes through multiple pathways including veteran acquisitions, international signings and strategic trades. Oklahoma City and San Antonio rank among the league's most asset-rich franchises heading into the June draft, controlling significant portions of picks across the next eight drafts.

Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson will keep his name in the draft after averaging 18.5 points and 7.4 assists this season, making him a projected top-20 selection. His decision follows former Santa Clara forward Allen Graves also opting to remain draft-eligible, while Kentucky freshman center Malachi Moreno withdrew from the draft process to return to school for another year. The Lakers made their first significant offseason hire by bringing Rohan Ramadas aboard as assistant general manager under Rob Pelinka, signaling potential organizational changes after their early playoff exit.

Wembanyama Watch

Victor Wembanyama's meteoric rise continued beyond the basketball court as his 1-of-1 Panini Prizm Black parallel card sold for $5.11 million in a private transaction confirmed by Fanatics. The sale price reflects the unprecedented demand for Wembanyama memorabilia since his arrival in San Antonio, where he has quickly established himself as the league's most dominant defensive presence. His impact was evident throughout the playoffs as teams struggled to solve his defensive schemes, with opponents shooting significantly worse when he was guarding them compared to any other player in the league.

De'Aaron Fox chose San Antonio in free agency partly because of the opportunity to play alongside Wembanyama, quickly becoming the veteran leader the young Spurs needed in their first playoff run since 2017. The former Kings guard's decision paid dividends early in the postseason, though the Spurs now face questions about how to better integrate their two cornerstone pieces after their Game 5 loss.

Trade Market & Free Agency

ESPN's NBA insiders proposed six significant trades that could reshape the league's power structure this summer, including potential landing spots for Ja Morant and other available stars. The Knicks' success has sparked interest in their roster construction model, with teams studying how New York transformed from a rebuilding squad to Finals participants through bold deadline moves and strategic veteran additions. Cleveland's analytical approach under Atkinson may need adjustment after their sweep at the hands of New York, though Mitchell and Harden both expressed confidence in the system's long-term viability.

New Orleans coach Jamahl Mosley outlined plans to unlock Zion Williamson's playmaking abilities in his first season, suggesting the Pelicans will move their franchise player further from the basket to utilize his passing skills. The emphasis on Williamson as a creator represents a shift from his traditional role as a finisher near the rim, potentially signaling a new offensive philosophy for the Pelicans.

International & Cultural Notes

Olympiakos captured the EuroLeague championship in Athens with an 92-85 victory over Real Madrid, a game witnessed by Giannis Antetokounmpo from courtside seats. The international spotlight on basketball continues to grow as celebrity attendance at playoff games has become a regular feature, with fans and players alike noting the cultural impact of high-profile spectators throughout the postseason.