NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 30, 2026, 5:50 PM ET

Western Conference Finals Drama

The Oklahoma City Thunder prepared for Game 7 without injured wing Jalen Williams, who has been hampered by injuries all season, creating significant concerns for their championship aspirations. The Thunder emerged as slim favorites to capture the NBA title after advancing past the San Antonio Spurs, with the winner set to face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. Williams' absence compounded Oklahoma City's struggles in Game, where he scored only one point in his return from a hamstring strain, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with less than half his regular-season average in the series-tying loss. The Spurs dominated in a blowout victory, taking control of the series momentum after the Thunder had made adjustments to claw their way back behind players like Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and Jared McCain.

Knicks Prepare for Finals Without Full-Strength Robinson

The New York Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals with a significant health concern as center Mitchell Robinson plans to play in Game 1 while wearing a brace on his hand after undergoing surgery on his broken right pinky finger. The Knicks' championship run represents a remarkable turnaround fueled by bold moves and a coaching change that transformed the franchise's trajectory this season. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump confirmed his attendance at an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden next month, adding an extra layer of significance to the potential Knicks championship series at their home arena. The Eastern champions face a rested opponent regardless of whether the Thunder or Spurs emerge from their grueling seven-game series, with both Western Conference teams showing signs of fatigue in the later stages of their matchup.

Coaching Carousel Continues Across NBA

The Orlando Magic finalized a deal to hire San Antonio Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney as their new head coach, continuing the trend of coaching changes around the league. In Cleveland, Kenny Atkinson will return next season as the Cavaliers coach, providing stability for the organization. The Boston Celtics celebrated Joe Mazzulla's selection as NBA Coach of the Year over finalists J.B. Bickerstaff and Mitch Johnson, recognizing his leadership during their championship season. Across the league, the Atlanta Hawks promoted Onsi Saleh from general manager to president of basketball operations with a long-term contract extension, while the Lakers underwent significant restructuring with more than a dozen layoffs under new franchise leadership, signaling organizational changes in Los Angeles.

Draft Landscape Evolves With Returners

The NBA draft underwent significant reshuffling after the college withdrawal deadline, as a wave of returners altered ESPN's latest top 100 prospects rankings for the 2026 draft class. Arizona forward Koa Peat, a projected first-round pick, kept his name in the draft, maintaining the talent pool for upcoming selections. The league implemented draft lottery reforms that have raised questions about competitive balance, with numbers showing that drafting in the top five hasn't consistently translated into NBA titles over the past 20 years. As teams prepare for the offseason, several key free agents remain undecided, with league insiders providing intel on lingering decisions for players like Austin Reaves, Jalen Duren, and Mitchell Robinson, whose playing status in the Finals was recently confirmed despite his injury.

Offseason Storylines Emerge

Aces coach Becky Hammon stood by her controversial take that a player of Jalen Brunson's stature could lead a team to an NBA title, challenging Brunson to prove her wrong as he leads the Knicks in the Finals. The offseason narrative shapes around several key players whose decisions could impact team rosters significantly, with the most important NBA deals potentially getting done before free agency begins. In personal news, 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey and Myra Gordon welcomed their daughter, Marvel, born May 14, adding a new chapter to the young player's life off the court. The Currys expanded their restaurant empire, with Stephen and Ayesha Curry bringing their chains to areas where Dell Curry previously reigned supreme, creating a family business legacy in the restaurant industry. Meanwhile, Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama received a warning from the NBA for violating media access rules after he did not speak to reporters following the Spurs' Game 5 loss, highlighting the league's strict policies on player media responsibilities.