Samwise NBA Newsletter
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Thunder One Win From Back-to-Back Finals as Game 6 Opens Tonight in San Antonio
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one victory from a second consecutive NBA Finals appearance, holding a 3-2 lead over the San Antonio Spurs heading into Game 6 on Thursday (8:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock). Oklahoma City bounced back from a blowout Game 4 loss to crush the Spurs 127–114 at home on Tuesday, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 32 points and adding nine assists. Game 6 returns to San Antonio, where the Spurs won Game 4 by 21 points. The New York Knicks await in the NBA Finals, beginning June 3 on ABC. A San Antonio victory forces a decisive Game 7 in Oklahoma City.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Spurs Enter Elimination Game at Full Health; Thunder Again Without Williams and Mitchell
San Antonio entered Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals without an injury designation for any player, while Oklahoma City must again go without two key contributors. Thunder wing Jalen Williams has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in Game 2, and guard Ajay Mitchell remains sidelined with a right soleus strain. Both were unavailable for the Thunder’s Game 5 victory as well. Despite playing shorthanded, Oklahoma City still leads 3-2. Jaden McCain stepped into a starting role in Game 5, scoring 20 points in his first career playoff start to help cover the offensive void.
Spurs Coach Johnson: Wembanyama Must Score More Than 20 Points in Must-Win Game 6
San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson wants more from Victor Wembanyama in Game 6 after the franchise center managed just 20 points on 4-of-15 shooting in Tuesday’s loss. Wembanyama hit all 12 free throw attempts but missed all five of his three-point shots and took only three field goal attempts in the third quarter as the Spurs fell behind. “He’s got to take more than 15 shots,” Johnson said. “Even with the free throws, he’s going to have to score more than 20 points for sure.” In the Spurs’ two series victories, Wembanyama scored 41 and 33 points.
Sources: ESPN
Caruso’s 22-Point Bench Effort, McCain’s Debut Start Fuel Thunder’s Game 5 Rout
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso scored 22 points off the bench in Game 5 Tuesday, his fifth 20-point performance as a reserve over the past two postseasons, while first-time playoff starter Jaden McCain added 20 points in the Thunder’s 127–114 victory. With regulars Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell both sidelined, coach Mark Daigneault turned to McCain, who hit three three-pointers in the fourth quarter to help ice the lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 32 points, including 16-of-17 from the free throw line. For San Antonio, Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 24 points and six assists.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Knicks Begin Over a Week of Rest Before NBA Finals Opener June 3
The New York Knicks completed their sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 25 and will rest over a week before the NBA Finals begin June 3 on ABC. The three-seeded Knicks won 11 consecutive playoff games, all by double digits, including a 130–93 blowout in Game 4. New York will be the road team for the first two Finals games regardless of opponent, as the 53-29 Knicks enter with the worst regular-season record among the final four. Oklahoma City went 64-18 and earned the top seed in the West, while San Antonio finished 62-20 as the No. 2 seed.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Trump Plans to Attend NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden After Invitation From Knicks Owner
President Donald Trump has confirmed plans to attend a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden during the NBA Finals, following an invitation from team owner James Dolan. The Finals include Games 3 and 4 at MSG on June 8 and June 10, with the Knicks’ Finals opponent still to be determined after Thursday’s Game 6. If Trump attends, he would be the first sitting United States president to attend an NBA Finals game. “Boy, what a team!” Trump said of the Knicks after their sweep of Cleveland sent New York to its first Finals since 1999.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
LeBron James Sets Late-June Window for Free Agency Decision as Lakers Wait
LeBron James is expected to announce his 2026–27 plans sometime in late June, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers in extended uncertainty during a critical roster-building window. The 41-year-old is an unrestricted free agent after completing a two-year, $110 million contract. Multiple NBA insiders indicate James intends to play at least one more season, but the Lakers need clarity before July 1 to know how to proceed with free agency and roster moves. If James waits past that date to decide, the team will face sharply limited flexibility in assembling the rest of their supporting cast.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
2026 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference
NBA Finals
New York Knicks — Advancing to Finals
ECF: Knicks def. Cavaliers 4–0
NBA Finals (begins June 3, ABC)
Knicks vs. TBD — Not yet started
Western Conference Finals
OKC Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs
Thunder lead 3–2 — Game 6 tonight, 8:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
G1: SAS 122–115 (2OT) • G2: OKC 122–113 • G3: OKC 123–108 • G4: SAS 103–82 • G5: OKC 127–114
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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