All articles tagged with #nba playoffs
San Antonio, tied 2-2 with Oklahoma City, faces elimination in Game 6 and needs a more aggressive Victor Wembanyama to spark a comeback, while the Thunder rely on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a veteran, playoff-tested core to close out the series and push toward the Finals.
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 127–114 in Game 5, overcoming a rough start from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as they leaned on depth and tactical adjustments—Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, and Kenrich Williams provided scoring while coach Mark Daigneault deployed multiple defenses to slow Victor Wembanyama, who played 38 minutes with limited impact and the Spurs’ offense faded after a strong opener.
Victor Wembanyama scored 20 points on 4-for-15 shooting, but left the arena and skipped the postgame media session after San Antonio’s 127-114 Game 5 loss to Oklahoma City, giving the Thunder a 3-2 series edge. NBA officials had warned him about media duties, though he was not fined; the Spurs face possible elimination in Game 6 in San Antonio as they continue their rivalry with OKC.
Victor Wembanyama scored 20 on 4-for-15 shooting and did not speak to reporters after the Spurs' 127-114 Game 5 loss to Oklahoma City, leaving San Antonio down 3-2 in the Western Conference Finals and facing a must-win Game 6. Coach Mitch Johnson pressed for more aggressive production from Wembanyama, who starred in the Spurs' best games (G1 and G4) but struggled in this one.
OG Anunoby continued his two-way impact as the Knicks blitzed the Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, with Jalen Brunson adding 15 points and five assists as New York maintained relentless pressure and seized a commanding series edge.
The Cavaliers will retain head coach Kenny Atkinson after a Knicks sweep in the Eastern Conference finals, with no major front-office changes planned and a full season review of the roster underway. Atkinson, who has three seasons left on his contract and earned NBA Coach of the Year in 2025, guided Cleveland to its first East finals since 2018 but faces questions over late-game decisions as the team—arguably the NBA’s most expensive roster—navigates future moves around stars like Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, while owner Dan Gilbert signals a continued push to build on the breakthrough postseason run.
The piece argues Inside the NBA remains the premier sports studio show, praising its mix of humor and personality during the Knicks–Cavaliers East finals (from the crew singing New York, New York to Barkley’s playful robot gag), while highlighting memorable moments around the playoff atmosphere (Landry Shamet’s Knicks-fan take, a touching TikTok of a young Knicks supporter named Carmelo, and Cavaliers seating drama). It also notes Barkley’s interview on the SI Media podcast and concludes that Inside the NBA is still at the top of its game despite playoff chaos.
A 2023-24 Panini Prizm one-of-one Black Victor Wembanyama rookie card sold for $5.1 million in a private sale brokered by Fanatics Collect—the highest price ever for a non-autographed NBA card. The deal underscores Wembanyama’s skyrocketing value as San Antonio advances in the playoffs, with the buyer noting his ceiling could exceed past greats; Wembanyama’s autographs are restricted by his Fanatics deal. The Spurs are in the Western Conference Finals after a 103-82 Game 4 win in which Wembanyama posted 33 points, illustrating his all-around impact.
The Cavaliers’ pursuit of a championship stalled with a 4‑0 series loss to the Knicks, exposing a gap between their talent and true title contention. Donovan Mitchell drew top defensive pressure and struggled to carry the offense, especially when paired with Harden, whose backcourt pairing with Mitchell didn’t gel in the postseason. With a disappointing regular season and aging pieces, Cleveland faces tough summer choices—pursue a blockbuster upgrade, lure a former star back, or retool around Mitchell—to avoid a repeat of this postseason outcome.
Victor Wembanyama starred in a must-win Game 4, finishing with 33 points, eight rebounds and three blocks to lift the Spurs past the Thunder and even the Western Conference Finals at 2-2. He attacked the rim with aggression and mixed in perimeter shooting, while San Antonio’s coaching adjustments and a fired-up locker room helped set the tone for a pivotal performance as the series momentum shifted.
After Cleveland’s playoff exit and a lopsided conference finals, SI writer Chris Mannix argues the Cavaliers should pursue a LeBron James return to chase another title, despite cap hurdles and uncertain interest. He outlines potential moves—restructuring Harden’s contract, exploring a Mobley–Giannis swap, and leveraging draft assets—while Donovan Mitchell commits to staying and helping the cause. Though James is likely to re-sign with the Lakers, a storybook Cleveland reunion would be a cinematic finish to his career.
San Antonio tied the West finals 2-2 with a 103-82 Game Four win and heads to Game Five on the road needing two of three to reach the NBA Finals. A defensive tweak that guarded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 1-on-1 reduced his impact, but OKC will counter. The Spurs must win the interior battle, curb turnovers (13 in Game Four), and get Julian Champagnie going to space the floor for Wembanyama and the guards. OKC is short-handed with Ajay Mitchell out and Jalen Williams questionable; Thomas Sorber is out. Game Five is May 26 at 7:30 PM CT on NBC/Peacock.
After the Cavaliers were swept 4-0 by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, James Harden insists Cleveland was the better team and says he intends to return next season, while Donovan Mitchell commits to staying with the Cavs as the franchise analyzes what went wrong and plans for the offseason; Harden averaged 16.0 points, 3.0 assists and 4.3 turnovers on roughly 39% shooting and 18% from three in the series.
Spurs adjusted in Game 4 by keeping Victor Wembanyama around the rim and applying a tighter one-on-one on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with help swarms when he drove. The ploy disrupted OKC’s offense, produced 20 Thunder turnovers, and limited 3-point shooting (6-for-33) while injuries to Jalen Williams and Mitchell left the Thunder shorthanded. San Antonio tied the series and forced Daigneault to figure out how to generate space for SGA and jump-start the supporting cast in Game 5.
Victor Wembanyama scored 33 and fueled a 102-83 Spurs win to knot the West Finals at 2-2, while the Knicks ride a 10-game playoff surge and a Bridges-fueled offense to a 3-0 lead on the Cavaliers, putting New York on the cusp of its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999; All-NBA teams were also announced.