NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: June 1, 2026, 2:46 PM ET

NBA Finals Preview

The San Antonio Spurs enter the championship series as favorites over the New York Knicks after eliminating the defending Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the conference finals. Victor Wembanyama powered the Spurs' 111-103 victory with 22 points and seven rebounds, advancing the franchise closer to what he called a "childhood dream." Meanwhile, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson plans to play in Game 1 while wearing a hand brace following surgery on his broken right pinkie finger, providing New York with crucial interior presence despite injury concerns. The NBA unveiled updated court designs featuring the Larry O'Brien Trophy at midcourt and script "The Finals" logos on either side, marking a return to tradition for the championship series.

Western Conference Collapse

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander labeled his MVP season a failure after the Thunder's premature exit, despite claiming his second consecutive award. Jalen Williams struggled in his return from a hamstring strain, scoring just one point in Game 6 as Oklahoma City's championship aspirations ended without reaching the Finals. The Thunder's elimination leaves both Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams facing questions about their supporting cast, while Wembanyama's meteoric rise suggests the Spurs may have leapfrogged the Thunder in the Western Conference hierarchy.

Draft Landscape Shifts

ESPN's top 100 draft board underwent significant reshuffling after the college withdrawal deadline passed, with numerous returners altering the prospect landscape ahead of the June draft. The top 12 prospects drew NBA player comparisons ranging from realistic floor projections to best-case ceiling outcomes, offering teams clarity on potential fits for franchise-altering selections. These rankings will shape draft positioning as teams evaluate whether to target immediate contributors or long-term developmental projects.

Free Agency Whispers

League executives circulate intel on several intriguing free agents including Austin Reaves, Jalen Duren, and Mitchell Robinson, with decision timelines accelerating after the Finals matchup crystallized. Tyrese Maxey welcomed his daughter Marvel on May 14, adding personal milestones alongside his professional free agency considerations this summer. The Orlando Magic finalized a deal to hire Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney as their new head coach, potentially creating ripple effects in both organizations' offseason strategies.

Betting Markets & Political Theater

Draft Kings Sportsbook reports overwhelming public money on the Knicks to win the championship, with New York attracting nearly half of all wagers placed on the Finals outcome despite being underdogs against San Antonio. President Donald Trump announced plans to attend an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden next month, adding political intrigue to what promises to be a compelling championship series between Wembanyama's Spurs and the veteran-laden Knicks.