NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 29, 2026, 11:52 PM ET

Playoffs Update

The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without Jalen Williams for Saturday's decisive Game 7 against San Antonio after the wing struggled through his return from a hamstring strain, managing just one point on 0-for-6 shooting in Game 6's 115-97 Spurs blowout victory. Williams' ineffective comeback came as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted only 18 points — less than half his regular-season scoring average — allowing San Antonio to force the winner-take-all matchup. The Thunder turned to Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Jared McCain in their adjustments against a Spurs team that avoided elimination behind veteran leadership from new acquisition De'Aaron Fox, who has embraced his role as San Antonio's floor general since departing Sacramento.

NBA Finals Picture

Oklahoma City enters Game 7 as slim championship favorites despite the injury concerns, with the Spurs-Thunder winner advancing to face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals beginning next week. Knicks center Mitchell Robinson plans to play in Game 1 wearing a protective brace on his surgically repaired right pinkie finger, providing a boost to a New York team that went all-in on aggressive moves including a midseason coaching change that propelled them back to the Finals for the first time since 1999. The Knicks' resurgence earned recognition from NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who publicly celebrated their conference finals sweep while taking a playful jab at the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Draft & Personnel Moves

Following the college withdrawal deadline, ESPN's updated 2026 draft rankings reflect a wave of returners reshaping the top 100 prospects, with Arizona forward Koa Peat keeping his name in the draft despite being projected as a first-round selection. The Orlando Magic finalized a deal to hire Sean Sweeney as their new head coach, bringing in the Spurs associate head coach to lead a franchise seeking direction after missing the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks promoted Onsi Saleh to president of basketball operations and signed him to a long-term extension, while Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson confirmed his return for next season despite early playoff exit discussions. Boston's Joe Mazzulla captured Coach of the Year honors over finalists J.B. Bickerstaff and Mitch Johnson, capping the league's end-of-season awards.

Offseason Outlook

Several key free agent decisions loom large this summer, with NBA insiders tracking unresolved situations involving Austin Reaves, Jalen Duren and other notable names as teams prepare for a busy offseason market. The draft lottery reform introduces new rules and potential controversies that could reshape how teams approach the June selection process, though recent analysis shows that top-five drafting has not consistently translated to championships over the past two decades. Teams are studying roster-building lessons from the conference finalists, with the Thunder, Spurs, Knicks and Cavaliers each offering different blueprints for success that other franchises can emulate.

Business & Culture

President Donald Trump announced plans to attend an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden next month, adding political intrigue to the championship series. In collectibles, Victor Wembanyama's 1-of-1 numbered 2023-24 Panini Prizm Black parallel card sold for $5.11 million in a private transaction, highlighting the French phenom's market appeal despite his team's playoff exit. Meanwhile, Stephen and Ayesha Curry are expanding their restaurant chains to Charlotte, where Dell Curry once starred for the Hornets, bringing their culinary ventures to the market where the elder Curry established his playing reputation.

League Notes

Victor Wembanyama received a warning from the NBA for violating media access rules after skipping postgame interviews following the Spurs' Game 5 loss, marking an unusual disciplinary situation for the young star. Tyrese Maxey and Myra Gordon welcomed their daughter Marvel born on May 14, providing a personal milestone during the Sixers guard's playoff run. The Los Angeles Lakers laid off more than a dozen employees as part of a reorganization under new leadership, while New Orleans Pelicans coach Jamahl Mosley expressed desire to unlock Zion Williamson as more of a playmaking threat in their system. Separately, suspects in athlete home burglaries were arrested in Argentina as part of a transnational investigation that included NBA players among the victims.