NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 31, 2026, 11:48 PM ET

Coaching moves and Finals backdrop Orlando confirmed it is close to sealing a contract with San Antonio’s associate head coach Sean Sweeney to become its next head coach, a hire that could reshape a franchise long mired in mediocrity. Meanwhile, New York’s Mitchell Robinson is expected to suit up for Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a post‑surgery brace on his right pinkie, giving the Knicks a rare size advantage in the paint. The Western Conference title was clinched when Victor Wembanyama delivered 22 points and seven rebounds in a 111‑103 Game 7 victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, propelling the Spurs to the Finals and edging the young star closer to his childhood dream of hoisting the championship. The league added visual flair by announcing that the Larry O’Brien Trophy image will be painted at midcourt and the script “The Finals” logo will flank either side of the playing surface, a nod to tradition as the sport’s marquee event approaches.

Betting trends and championship odds Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, who secured his second consecutive MVP award, described his season a “failure” after Oklahoma City’s elimination, underscoring the disappointment of a team that never defended its title despite a strong regular‑season résumé. At Draft Kings Sportsbook in New York, bettors have poured nearly half of all money placed on the Finals winner into the Knicks, a wagering pattern that rivals the combined stakes on every other contender and reflects heightened confidence in the franchise’s recent resurgence. Betting markets have responded by listing the San Antonio Spurs as the slight favorites to capture the NBA championship over the Knicks, a positioning driven by the Spurs’ defensive depth and the momentum generated by Wembanyama’s postseason performances.

Off‑court buzz and player health Former President Donald Trump announced plans to attend an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden, a move that adds a political headline to the sporting spectacle and could draw additional viewership to the series. In Oklahoma City, Jalen Williams managed only one point in his return from a hamstring strain, while Gilgeous‑Alexander struggled to 13 points—well below his season average—as the Thunder fell 112‑106 in Game, a loss that effectively ended their title hopes despite a strong regular season. The Knicks’ improbable run to the Finals has been credited to a series of bold roster moves and a recent coaching change, strategies that transformed a middling team into a championship contender and set the stage for a historic showdown in New York.