Samwise NBA Newsletter
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Pistons Force Game 7 with Dominant 115–94 Win Over Cavaliers
Detroit forced a winner-take-all Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a dominant 115–94 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 21 points while Jalen Duren posted 15 points and 11 rebounds. Detroit opened the second half with a 12–2 run and held a comfortable advantage throughout the final period. The Cavaliers committed 20 turnovers that produced 28 Pistons points, suffering their first home playoff loss of the postseason. James Harden paced Cleveland with 23 points; Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley each added 18. Game 7 tips off Sunday in Detroit, with the winner advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Castle’s 32 Points Power Spurs Past Timberwolves in Decisive Game 6 Blowout
Stephon Castle exploded for 32 points and 11 rebounds to power the San Antonio Spurs to a 139–109 Game 6 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, closing the series 4–2. Castle made his first five three-pointers and shot 11-for-16 from the floor, while De’Aaron Fox added 21 points and nine assists and rookie Dylan Harper contributed 15 off the bench. San Antonio set a franchise postseason record by connecting on 18 three-pointers. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 24 points on 9-of-26 shooting as a left knee injury continued to limit his effectiveness. The Spurs advance to face defending champion Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals beginning Monday.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Thunder vs. Spurs: Western Conference Finals Begin Monday as OKC Seeks History
The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs tip off the 2026 Western Conference Finals on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Paycom Center, airing on NBC and Peacock. Oklahoma City enters the series 8–0 after sweeping the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posting 35 points in the series-clinching win over the Lakers. The Spurs, in their first conference finals since 2017, won four of five regular-season matchups against the Thunder — a notable edge for the underdogs. Wembanyama contributed 19 points, six rebounds and three blocks in Friday’s series clincher as San Antonio’s defensive anchor.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
OG Anunoby Returns to Full Knicks Practice, Expected Available for ECF
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby fully participated in practice on Friday for the first time since suffering a Grade 1 right hamstring strain late in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Philadelphia. The team confirmed Anunoby went through all drills and scrimmage activities without setback, and sources indicated growing optimism he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks, who swept the 76ers 4–0 to advance, are awaiting the outcome of Sunday’s Game 7 between Detroit and Cleveland. Anunoby’s return would add a vital two-way wing to a New York team that has won eight consecutive playoff games this postseason.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
NBA MVP to Be Announced Sunday: Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama, and Jokic Are the Finalists
The 2025–26 NBA Most Valuable Player will be announced Sunday on Amazon Prime Video ahead of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, with three finalists competing for the honor: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Nikola Jokic. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, averaged 31.1 points and 6.6 assists on 55% shooting this season while guiding Oklahoma City to 64 wins and the No. 1 Western seed. He set a historic record with 20 or more points in 127 consecutive games, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain. Wembanyama won the Defensive Player of the Year award unanimously, the first such selection in NBA history. Gilgeous-Alexander is considered the heavy favorite.
Edwards Played Through Knee Injury All Series as Timberwolves Exit Playoffs
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards concluded a difficult postseason run after playing through a left knee bone bruise and hyperextension first sustained during the first round against Denver. Despite managing the injury throughout the second-round series against San Antonio, Edwards averaged 21.3 points on 44.2% shooting across six games. He scored 24 points on 9-of-26 shooting in Friday’s clinching loss, often coming off the bench on a minutes restriction. With the Timberwolves eliminated, the 24-year-old faces an uncertain offseason recovery timeline. Minnesota will need clarity on his health heading into an important summer of roster decisions around their young franchise cornerstone.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, IBTimes Australia
NBA Draft Combine Concludes in Chicago with Several Prospects Climbing Draft Boards
The 2026 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago wrapped up this week with several prospects significantly boosting their standing ahead of the June 23–24 draft at Barclays Center. Baylor guard Cameron Carr emerged as the biggest mover, posting 30 points in scrimmage action and recording a 42.5-inch vertical leap, projecting him firmly into lottery discussions. Top prospect AJ Dybantsa of BYU, the expected No. 1 pick for the Washington Wizards, measured at 6-foot-8½ with a 7-foot-0½ wingspan and 42-inch vertical. Michigan center Aday Mara impressed with a 7-foot-3 frame and 9-foot-9 standing reach, tied for the second-longest standing reach in Combine history.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
NBA Playoffs — Conference Semifinals & Finals
Eastern Conference
Knicks (1) vs. 76ers (7) — Knicks won 4–0
Pistons (2) vs. Cavaliers (3) — Tied 3–3, Game 7 Sunday
ECF — Knicks await Game 7 winner
Western Conference
Thunder (1) vs. Lakers (2) — Thunder won 4–0
Spurs (3) vs. Timberwolves (6) — Spurs won 4–2
WCF — Thunder vs. Spurs, Game 1 Monday
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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