nba playoff game

Mitch Johnson strongly defended Stephon Castle after the young Spurs guard was left off the NBA All-Defensive Teams. Johnson praised Castle’s impact on both ends of the court and predicted the 21-year-old would use the disappointment as motivation next season. The Spurs coach also capped off an impressive year personally, finishing third in NBA Coach of the Year voting after leading San Antonio to a remarkable 62-win season and a deep playoff run against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Donald Trump said he is likely to attend one of the NBA Finals games after the New York Knicks reached the championship series. Trump praised Knicks owner James Dolan and the team’s playoff run during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. If he attends, Trump would become the first sitting US president ever to appear at an NBA Finals game.

Luka Dončić added another historic chapter to his NBA career after earning his sixth All-NBA First Team selection despite the Lakers’ disappointing playoff exit. The Lakers superstar led the league in scoring at 33.5 points per game and joined several NBA legends by reaching six All-NBA honors before age 28. His remarkable March stretch, scoring explosions and overall consistency helped solidify his place among basketball’s elite, even as injuries and postseason struggles prevented Los Angeles from making a deeper playoff run.

The New York Knicks received troubling news ahead of the NBA Finals after center Mitchell Robinson suffered a broken right pinky finger with no timetable for recovery. Robinson has been a key defensive presence and rebounder throughout New York’s playoff run, appearing in 13 postseason games while anchoring the second unit. His potential absence creates major matchup concerns against either Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein of the Thunder or Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs.

The New York Knicks are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 after completing a commanding four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Powered by Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and a deep supporting cast, the Knicks dominated Game 4 with a 130-93 victory in Cleveland. New York overwhelmed the Cavaliers with rebounding, ball movement, and three-point shooting while Cleveland struggled with turnovers and inconsistent offense outside Donovan Mitchell.

Jalen Williams has officially been ruled out of Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals because of a lingering left hamstring strain. The Thunder forward attempted to return in Game 6 but was limited to just 10 minutes. His absence leaves Oklahoma City without one of its most versatile players in a winner-take-all matchup against the Spurs. The Thunder will also be without Ajay Mitchell, increasing the pressure on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the supporting cast as they fight for a place in the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.

The Western Conference Finals comes down to a winner-take-all Game 7 between the Spurs and Thunder. Oklahoma City enters with home-court advantage and the league's reigning Finals MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while San Antonio counters with Victor Wembanyama and one of the postseason's best defenses. The series is tied 3-3 after the Spurs' commanding Game 6 victory. Key injuries, star performances and playoff composure will determine which team advances to face the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals.

LeBron James was left off the All-NBA teams for the first time in 21 seasons after failing to meet the NBA’s 65-game eligibility requirement. The Lakers star played only 60 games because of back sciatica issues, ending the longest All-NBA streak in league history. Despite the omission, James still averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds while helping Los Angeles reach the playoffs. His absence from the list reflected both the NBA’s stricter availability rules and the league’s gradual shift toward a younger generation of stars.

Travis Kelce found himself at the center of fresh controversy after a viral video showed him chugging a beer during the Cavaliers-Knicks playoff game while Taylor Swift watched courtside. Critics attempted to connect the moment to the ongoing Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel controversy, sparking debate online. Supporters argued Kelce was simply enjoying a sporting event, while the incident highlighted the intense scrutiny surrounding every public appearance by the Chiefs star and Swift.

Jalen Brunson was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP after leading the New York Knicks to a dominant four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks clinched their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 with a commanding 130-93 victory in Game 4, fueled by balanced scoring, strong defense, and Brunson’s calm leadership at point guard. Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and the Knicks’ deep bench also played major roles throughout the series as New York extended its playoff winning streak to 11 games and moved one step closer to the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973.

The Oklahoma City Thunder received a major boost ahead of Game 6 against the San Antonio Spurs as Jalen Williams was officially cleared to return after missing three straight games with a left hamstring strain. Although he did not start, Williams’ availability strengthens Oklahoma City’s push for another NBA Finals appearance.

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama spoke at 2026 NBA Finals media day about the emotional reunion with former head coach Gregg Popovich following the Spurs' Game 7 Western Conference Finals win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wembanyama credited Popovich, now serving as the team's president of basketball operations after a 2024 stroke, as their "guiding force" throughout the postseason. Now averaging 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game in the playoffs, Wembanyama acknowledged the challenge ahead as San Antonio enters to face the New York Knicks in Game 1 on Wednesday.

The New York Knicks received a significant boost ahead of the 2026 NBA Finals as Mitchell Robinson remains determined to play despite undergoing surgery for a fractured pinkie finger on his right hand. While no official timetable has been announced, reports indicate both Robinson and the organization are hopeful he can return for Game 1. His injury remains somewhat mysterious, with team officials confirming it did not occur during a game or practice.

Alex Caruso briefly left Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals after rolling his right ankle against the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran guard exited in the second quarter before returning later in the half, easing concerns for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Caruso had already scored 14 points before the injury scare and continued to provide the defensive intensity that has been crucial throughout Oklahoma City’s playoff run.

As the Spurs prepared for a decisive Game 7 against the Thunder, De'Aaron Fox received visible support from his wife Recee, who shared a photo wearing a custom Spurs shirt alongside their son Reign. During the game, Fox became the focus of a separate storyline when an apparent out-of-bounds violation went uncalled by officials, triggering widespread reaction online.

Mitchell Robinson is listed as questionable for Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals due to a fractured right pinky finger that required surgery last week. The Knicks center skipped media day but completed individual drills Tuesday in San Antonio, with coach Mike Brown deferring to the medical staff on his availability. His ability to match up against Victor Wembanyama and provide depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns makes his status a central subplot of the entire series.

Star guard Jalen Brunson is expected to play for the New York Knicks against the Cleveland Cavaliers, providing a significant boost for the Eastern Conference battle. Brunson's consistent All-NBA level play has been crucial for the Knicks' strong season, and his availability is a positive sign for their playoff positioning.

Julian Champagnie delivered a huge first-half performance for the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, scoring 17 points before halftime. The former undrafted forward has become a valuable two-way contributor for San Antonio this season, averaging 11.1 points and 5.8 rebounds. Champagnie’s rise from uncertainty to playoff contributor reflects the persistence, work ethic, and resilience that continue to shape his growing NBA career.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sparked another viral moment after attending the Cavaliers vs Knicks playoff game courtside. While Kelce’s beer-chugging celebration energized fans, online controversy exploded after viewers noticed ESPN commentators repeatedly avoided mentioning Swift by name during the broadcast. Swifties slammed the coverage as disrespectful, while others defended the network for focusing on sports instead of celebrity attention during the nationally televised nba playoff game.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce drew major attention during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Cavaliers and Knicks in Cleveland. While the appearance added celebrity power to the NBA playoffs, it also highlighted Kelce’s strong Ohio roots and the couple’s growing influence across sports culture. Their courtside outing reflected how their relationship continues to blur the lines between entertainment, football and mainstream celebrity visibility ahead of another NFL season.