Samwise NBA Newsletter
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Thunder Rout Spurs 127-114 in Game 5, Lead Western Conference Finals 3-2
The Oklahoma City Thunder rebounded from a 21-point Game 4 loss to rout the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 Tuesday night, taking a 3-2 Western Conference Finals series lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points, Alex Caruso added 22 off the bench, and Jared McCain — making his first career playoff start with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell both sidelined — contributed 20 points. Chet Holmgren had 16 points and 11 rebounds; Isaiah Hartenstein posted 12 points and 15 rebounds. Oklahoma City shot 48 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range, scoring 40 points in the second quarter alone. Game 6 is Thursday night in San Antonio.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Knicks Rout Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 to Complete Sweep, Reach NBA Finals for First Time Since 1999
The New York Knicks routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 on Monday night to complete a four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference Finals, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 19 points with 14 rebounds, and OG Anunoby added 17 as New York won its 11th consecutive playoff game, all by double digits. The Knicks’ +262 point differential during that 11-game run is the largest in NBA history over any 11-game span, regular season or playoffs. New York will face the winner of the Oklahoma City Thunder–San Antonio Spurs series when the Finals begin June 3.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Brunson Named Unanimous ECF MVP, Averaged 25.5 Points as Knicks Sweep to Finals
Jalen Brunson was named unanimous Most Valuable Player of the Eastern Conference Finals after leading the New York Knicks to a four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brunson received the Larry Bird Trophy from Knicks legends Walt Frazier and Patrick Ewing following New York’s 130-93 Game 4 victory. Over four games, Brunson averaged 25.5 points, 7.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 48.7 percent from the field. His performance included a 38-point effort in the overtime Game 1 win and 30 points in Game 3. The Knicks captain will make his first NBA Finals appearance when New York tips off against the Western Conference winner on June 3.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Wembanyama Shoots 4-for-15 in Game 5 Loss as Spurs Face Elimination
Victor Wembanyama shot 4-for-15 for 20 points in Tuesday’s 127-114 Game 5 loss, leaving the San Antonio Spurs on the verge of elimination ahead of Game 6 Thursday in San Antonio. Coach Mitch Johnson said Wembanyama needs to take more than 15 shots and score more than 20 points. The center had 41 points in the Spurs’ Game 1 overtime win and 33 in Game 4. Oklahoma City, missing starters Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, scored 40 points in the second quarter alone and pulled away for a 3-2 series lead. San Antonio must win Game 6 to force a deciding Game 7 in Oklahoma City on Saturday.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Thunder’s Williams and Mitchell Miss Game 5, Both Out Again for Game 6 in San Antonio
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell missed a second consecutive game in Tuesday’s Western Conference Finals Game 5 with a right soleus strain. Wing Jalen Williams also sat out, sidelined with a left hamstring injury sustained in Game 2 of the series. Williams originally hurt the hamstring during Oklahoma City’s first-round series against Phoenix before re-aggravating it in Game 2 against San Antonio. In their absence, guard Jared McCain made his first career playoff start, scoring 20 points in the Thunder’s 127-114 Game 5 victory. With a 3-2 series lead, the Thunder face Game 6 Thursday in San Antonio before a potential Game 7 Saturday in Oklahoma City.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
NBA Finals Set for June 3 as Knicks Await Western Conference Winner on ABC
The New York Knicks will open the 2026 NBA Finals on Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, awaiting the winner of the Thunder-Spurs Western Conference Finals. The Knicks, who lack home-court advantage against either potential opponent, have an off week while the WCF is decided. The Thunder, who finished 64-18 in the regular season, lead San Antonio 3-2 and can clinch a Finals appearance with a Thursday victory in San Antonio. Oklahoma City would enter as defending champions if they advance. New York’s Finals appearance — their first since 1999 — was secured by a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, capping an 11-game win streak.
Sources: CBS Sports, ESPN
Thunder One Win From NBA Finals Return; Spurs Face Elimination Thursday in San Antonio
The Oklahoma City Thunder stand one win from returning to the NBA Finals after taking a 3-2 Western Conference series lead with Tuesday’s 127-114 Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Game 6 is Thursday night in San Antonio; the Spurs must win to force a deciding Game 7 in Oklahoma City on Saturday, May 30. The defending champions would face the New York Knicks in the Finals if they advance. Victor Wembanyama, who scored 41 and 33 points in the Spurs’ two series victories, will be the key to whether San Antonio can extend its season past Thursday.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
NBA Playoffs 2026 — Current Bracket
Eastern Conference
NBA Finals (begins June 3)
✓ New York Knicks advance (await WCF winner)
Conference Finals — Complete
Knicks def. Cavaliers 4–0
115-104 (OT), 109-93, 121-108, 130-93
Western Conference
Conference Finals — In Progress
Thunder lead Spurs 3–2
122-115 SA (2OT), 122-113 OKC, 123-108 OKC, 103-82 SA, 127-114 OKC
► Game 6: Thu May 28 @ San Antonio — 8:30 ET, NBC
► Game 7 (if needed): Sat May 30 @ Oklahoma City
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.