NBA Basketball 3 Hours

Last updated: June 2, 2026, 5:42 PM ET

NBA Finals: Knicks-Spurs Set for Wednesday Opener

The San Antonio Spurs lean on institutional memory as they prepare for their first NBA Finals appearance without Gregg Popovich on the sideline, with the legendary coach still serving as a trusted resource behind the scenes. League executives identified five central questions heading into the series, with the most pressing tactical puzzle being who can effectively guard Victor Wembanyama — a problem no Knicks defender has solved convincingly in regular-season matchups. New York faces its own personnel concern: center Mitchell Robinson participated in individual drills Tuesday but the organization refused to confirm his availability for Game 1 as he recovers from a broken finger, leaving open the possibility that the Knicks will open the series without their primary rim protector against the most unique offensive force in the sport.

Business of Basketball

Stephen Curry secured a 10-year, $400 million endorsement deal with Chinese sportswear giant Li-Ning, a staggering figure that rivals the largest shoe contracts in basketball history and signals the continued premium global brands place on established superstar partnerships. Off the court, the legal fallout connected to the NBA's investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers reached a dramatic conclusion when Joseph Sanberg — co-founder of the now-bankrupt green banking firm Aspiration — was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. The Dallas Mavericks are also making real estate waves, having secured a preliminary deal on a new arena site that would relocate the franchise away from downtown Dallas after more than two decades at American Airlines Center, a move that could reshape the franchise's revenue model and fan base geography.

International Basketball & Offseason Looming

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlined a 23-player commitment list for Team Canada's next three summers of international competition, a massive boost for a program eyeing its first Olympic medal. Notably absent from the roster: Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins, whose exclusions raise fresh questions about Canada's depth at guard and wing against top-tier international competition. Meanwhile, front offices are already pivoting toward roster construction, with evaluators drawing NBA player comparisons for the top 12 prospects in the 2026 draft class. The Oklahoma City Thunder face perhaps the league's most consequential financial puzzle: with extensions triggering a surging tax bill, Sam Presti must decide which pieces of his budding dynasty are affordable long-term. Comprehensive offseason guides covering the draft, free agency, and trade targets now circulate for every eliminated club, including the Thunder, Cavaliers, Pistons, Lakers, and Warriors — franchises whose summer decisions will reshape the competitive balance well before next October's tip-off.