Samwise NBA Newsletter
Monday, June 1, 2026
Spurs Outlast Thunder 111-103 in Game 7, Reach First NBA Finals Since 2014
The San Antonio Spurs ended the Oklahoma City Thunder's title defense Saturday night, winning Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals 111-103 at Paycom Center to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014. Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 22 points and seven rebounds, and Stephon Castle contributed 16 points. Julian Champagnie delivered 20 off the bench, 18 of those on three-pointers. De'Aaron Fox added 15 for the Spurs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in a game-high 35 points for Oklahoma City but could not prevent San Antonio's advance. The Spurs went 5-1 against the Thunder in the regular season before needing seven games to close the playoff series.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Wembanyama Wins WCF MVP With Unanimous Vote, Vows 'Four More Wins'
Victor Wembanyama won the Western Conference Finals MVP after the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 Saturday. Wembanyama received all nine media panel votes and accepted the Earvin "Magic" Johnson Trophy at center court in Oklahoma City. The 22-year-old French center averaged 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.7 blocks while shooting 48 percent from the field and 40 percent from three across seven games. His 41-point, 24-rebound effort in Game 1 set the tone. "We want four more," Wembanyama said after accepting the award, setting his sights on winning the NBA title. San Antonio faces the New York Knicks beginning June 3.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
NBA Finals Preview: Knicks' Historic 3-Point Shooting Meets Wembanyama's Defensive Dominance
The 2026 NBA Finals will open Wednesday in San Antonio with two compelling storylines: the New York Knicks' historic pace of play and Victor Wembanyama's defensive dominance. New York enters on an 11-game playoff winning streak, shooting 40.0 percent from three — the best mark among all remaining teams — while surrendering only 30.5 percent from beyond the arc, also the league's best. The Spurs arrive with home court advantage after a 62-20 regular season but face a significant rest deficit: the Knicks had ten full days off since sweeping Cleveland, while San Antonio rested only three days following their Game 7 victory over Oklahoma City.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Mitchell Robinson Has Surgery on Broken Pinky, Plans to Play Game 1 of NBA Finals
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has a broken right pinky finger and underwent surgery, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Despite the setback, Robinson plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday wearing a brace. Head coach Mike Brown confirmed Robinson did not break the finger during a game or in practice. The 7-foot center averaged 5.7 points and 8.8 rebounds in the regular season and played 18 minutes in New York's Eastern Conference Finals-clinching Game 4 win over Cleveland, totaling eight points and 10 rebounds. His availability heading into the series remains uncertain as the Knicks continue to monitor his recovery progress.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated
Report: Giannis Antetokounmpo Names Miami Heat as Preferred Trade Destination
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has identified the Miami Heat as his preferred trade destination, according to a report from NBA on NBC's Grant Liffmann via The Big Lead. The Heat reportedly have significant interest in completing a trade for the two-time MVP. Antetokounmpo, 31, has remained one of the NBA's premier players and would instantly transform Miami into a championship contender. The Bucks have been openly entertaining trade offers since the season ended, with co-owner Jimmy Haslam stating he wants the situation resolved before the NBA Draft on June 23. The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers have also been linked to Antetokounmpo in recent weeks.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Cedes Offseason Control to Presti After Thunder's Game 7 Exit
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said he will give "zero input" into the team's offseason roster decisions following Saturday's Game 7 playoff exit to the San Antonio Spurs. Gilgeous-Alexander, who led Oklahoma City to a 64-18 regular season record and the Western Conference's No. 1 seed, expressed full confidence in general manager Sam Presti to reshape the roster. "I'll let the greatest GM ever, Sam Presti, do his job," Gilgeous-Alexander said. Oklahoma City is projected to be $102 million over the salary cap next season and faces difficult personnel decisions on its core group of Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
Sources: HoopsHype, Yahoo Sports
Knicks Enter Finals on 11-Game Win Streak With 10-Day Rest Edge Over Fatigued Spurs
The New York Knicks enter the 2026 NBA Finals on a 10-day rest advantage following their sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals on May 25. The San Antonio Spurs played Game 7 on Saturday, arriving with only three days off. New York's 11-game playoff winning streak has been dominant: the Knicks outscored opponents by 262 points during the stretch, the largest plus-minus over any 11-game span in NBA history across regular season and playoffs. New York finished 2-1 against San Antonio in the regular season. Game 1 tips off Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
2026 NBA Playoffs — Finals
Eastern Conference
Conference Finals: Knicks def. Cavaliers 4–0
→ New York Knicks advance to NBA Finals
Western Conference
Conference Finals: Spurs def. Thunder 4–3
→ San Antonio Spurs advance to NBA Finals
NBA Finals
New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs
Game 1: Wed. June 3 — 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC (at San Antonio)
Game 2: Fri. June 5 — 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC (at San Antonio)
Game 3: Mon. June 8 — 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC (at New York)
Game 4: Wed. June 10 — 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC (at New York)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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