Samwise NBA Newsletter
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Wembanyama’s Historic 41-24 Leads Spurs Past Thunder 122-115 in Double-OT
Victor Wembanyama delivered one of the most remarkable performances in Conference Finals history on Monday, posting 41 points and 24 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in double overtime in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama, 22, became the youngest player in NBA history to record 40-plus points and 20-plus rebounds in a postseason game, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to achieve the feat in a Conference Finals. He sealed the victory with consecutive dunks in the second overtime and was presented with the Defensive Player of the Year trophy before tipoff. The Spurs stole home-court advantage on the road.
Sources: Texas Public Radio, KSAT San Antonio
Dylan Harper Makes Rookie History with 24-Pt, 7-Steal Game in WCF Opener
Dylan Harper, a 20-year-old Spurs rookie, made NBA history in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday, recording 24 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 7 steals while starting in place of the injured De’Aaron Fox. Harper became the first rookie since Magic Johnson in 1980 to post 15-plus points, 5-plus rebounds, and 5-plus steals in a single playoff game. The New Jersey native controlled the ball without a turnover in 45 minutes, providing crucial stability for San Antonio as the Spurs outlasted Oklahoma City 122-115 in double overtime. The performance reinforced Harper’s standing as one of the most impressive postseason rookies in recent NBA history.
Sources: KSAT San Antonio, NBA.com
Fox Ruled Out for WCF Game 1 with Ankle Soreness; Williams Returns for Thunder
San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox was ruled out of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday due to right ankle soreness, a significant blow for San Antonio’s rotation. Fox, who suffered the injury when he was rolled up on by an opposing player late in the previous series, tested the ankle at morning shootaround but could not go. He was averaging 18.8 points and 5.8 assists per game in these playoffs. The Thunder meanwhile welcomed back guard Jalen Williams, who had missed their entire second-round sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, providing Oklahoma City significant reinforcement heading into the series.
Sources: NBA.com, Yahoo Sports
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins Second Consecutive NBA MVP Award
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was presented with his second consecutive Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award before Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday in Oklahoma City. Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 31.1 points per game this regular season while leading Oklahoma City to the Western Conference’s top seed, became only the 14th player in league history to win back-to-back MVP honors. The 27-year-old Canadian guard edged out Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokić in voting. Despite the pregame celebration, the night ended in disappointment as the Thunder fell to the San Antonio Spurs 122-115 in double overtime, with Gilgeous-Alexander shooting 7-for-23 from the field.
Sources: The Source, NBA.com
OG Anunoby Listed as Probable for ECF Game 1; Larry Nance Jr. Out for Cavaliers
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby has been listed as probable for Tuesday’s Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Anunoby suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during Game 2 of the second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers and missed the final two games of that sweep. The 27-year-old is one of New York’s most versatile defenders. Cleveland’s Larry Nance Jr. is listed as out for the game. The Knicks enter with eight days of rest following their sweep of Philadelphia, while Cleveland completed a grueling seven-game series against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
Sources: Fox Sports 980, Heavy.com
Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Battle-Tested Cavaliers Face Well-Rested Knicks
The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers open the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday evening, pitting the well-rested Knicks against a battle-tested Cavaliers squad. New York swept the Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 in the second round, outscoring them by 89 points across four games in what ranks as the third most lopsided non-first-round series in NBA history. Cleveland, seeded fourth, needed seven games to eliminate the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, winning Game 7 by 31 points on Sunday. The Knicks hold home-court advantage and will host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 if necessary. Game 1 tips off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
SGA Takes Full Blame After Poor Shooting Night; Thunder Look to Regroup for Game 2
Oklahoma City Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took full responsibility for the Thunder’s Game 1 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, acknowledging an uncharacteristically difficult shooting night in the Western Conference Finals opener. Gilgeous-Alexander posted 24 points on just 7-of-23 shooting, logging 51 minutes and shooting 2-of-7 from three-point range as San Antonio’s defense repeatedly sent double teams his way. After the game, the two-time MVP said he must play better and cited the loss as his responsibility. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City on ESPN, where the Thunder will look to even the series.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated
2026 NBA Playoffs — Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
CONFERENCE FINALS
(3) Knicks vs (4) Cavaliers — Series: 0–0
Semifinals (completed)
Knicks def. 76ers 4–0
Cavaliers def. Pistons 4–3
Western Conference
CONFERENCE FINALS
(2) Spurs vs (1) Thunder — Spurs lead 1–0
Semifinals (completed)
Thunder def. Lakers 4–0
Spurs def. Timberwolves 4–2
NBA Finals tip-off: June 3, 2026 — ABC
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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