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Last updated: May 22, 2026, 2:50 AM ET

Eastern Conference: Knicks Grab Control

Josh Hart scored a playoff-career-high 26 points to fuel the Knicks' 109-93 dismantling of the Cavaliers on Thursday, putting New York up 2-0 in their first-round series and halfway to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Cleveland absorbed the double-digit loss with relative composure, with players saying the task ahead remains undaunting and pointing to their history of erasing similar deficits. The Knicks' dominance through two games has established a clear early advantage, though analysts note Cleveland's ability to adjust in tighter playoff windows remains a live storyline.

Western Conference: Thunder Even Series, Spurs Bleed

The Oklahoma City Thunder stormed back from a series-opening loss with a 30-point night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 21 forced turnovers, evening their series against the Spurs. That rally came just hours after LeBron James admitted the Lakers were "out-talented" by the Thunder, a candid acknowledgment of the gap Oklahoma City's young core has opened. Meanwhile, the Spurs lost Dylan Harper to a right hamstring injury during Game, compounding their already thin backcourt after losing Keyontae Fox earlier in the postseason. Adding to Oklahoma City's injury watch, Jalen Williams will be evaluated day to day with a left hamstring strain, leaving the series health picture uncertain heading into Game.

League-Wide Moves

On the coaching front, Mavericks president Masai Ujiri described the decision to fire Jason Kidd as entirely his own, calling it a "very tough decision" despite the roster overhaul happening in Dallas. Across the league, the Portland Trail Blazers laid off a significant number of business-side employees as new owner Tom Dundon pushes a broader reorganization of the franchise. Finally, the NBA announced its All-Rookie first team, with Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe earning unanimous honors for the Mavs, Hornets and Sixers respectively, capping a season in which Flagg's defensive versatility made him the consensus top pick.