Many people are touting the 2026 NBA Draft as one of the deepest and most talented ever, but it will take many years to sort out its place in history. Below is an update to a piece I wrote in June 2024 on the greatest draft classes of all time. It’s unlocked for all readers, but if you’re a free subscriber, please give some thought to upgrading to a paid subscription, or you could simply buy me a coffee. Thank you for your support.

There have been many articles written about the best draft classes in NBA history (almost all of which come to the same conclusion), but most of them have been qualitative in nature. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to approach this from a quantitative angle to see how things would shake out. My basic framework was:

1. Find a career value for each player from a given draft class.

2. Combine these career values to get a score for the entire draft.

Before I could compute a player’s career value, I needed a way to measure a player’s approximate value in a given season. I decided to use individualized wins, a replacement for another statistic I created, win shares*. I wanted to factor in the playoffs, so for a given season a player’s approximate value is defined to be the sum of his regular season and postseason individualized wins.

* Win shares, in my opinion, overrates low-usage/high-efficiency players and underrates high-usage/low-efficiency players.

In order to obtain a player’s career value, I used a weighting scheme similar to what Doug Drinen, creator of Pro-Football-Reference.com, uses for his Approximate Value metric (or AV, for short). Here’s Drinen’s description of the method:

My opinion is that most people mentally rank players by counting all the player’s seasons, but weighting their best seasons more. In order to mimic that, I’ve defined each player’s career “value” to be:

100% of his best season, plus 95% of his 2nd-best season, plus 90% of his 3rd-best season, …

So, for two players with the same career AV, the one with the higher peak will be rated a little higher. And junk seasons at the end of a player’s career count for almost nothing.

I computed the career value for every drafted player in NBA history. To turn this into a draft score, I used weights of 1.0 for the player with the highest career value in a given draft class, 0.95 for the player with the second-highest career value, 0.90 for the player with the third-highest career value, etc., and found the sum of these weighted values. My thinking was this would reward drafts with both high-end talent as well as depth.

Without further ado, here are the top five draft classes in NBA history using this method, with the score for each draft listed in parentheses.

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#5: 1987 NBA Draft (788)

The top five players by career value:

1. David Robinson (168)

2. Reggie Miller (130)

3. Scottie Pippen (118)

4. Kevin Johnson (93)

5. Horace Grant (91)

Robinson, the top overall pick, had to delay his NBA career for two years in order to fulfill his commitment to the U.S. Navy. In his rookie season, the San Antonio Spurs saw a 35-win improvement (from 21-61 to 56-26), with Robinson winning the Rookie of the Year Award by unanimous vote.

This draft featured five players with a career value of at least 90, one more than any other class in history. The 1984, 1996, and 2003 draft classes had four such players apiece.

#4: 2003 NBA Draft (830)

The top five players by career value:

1. LeBron James (247)

2. Dwyane Wade (140)

3. Carmelo Anthony (103)

4. Chris Bosh (95)

5. David West (78)

James (first overall pick), Wade (fifth), Anthony (third), and Bosh (fourth) were all selected in the top five, while West was picked 18th overall. The second overall selection in this draft was Darko Milicic, one of the biggest busts in NBA history.

The player’s in this draft class accounted for 62 NBA All-Star Game selections, the second-highest such total in history. You’ll see which class was first by this measure in a bit.

#3: 1985 NBA Draft (851)

The top five players by career value:

1. Karl Malone (200)

2. Patrick Ewing (126)

3. Terry Porter (91)

4. Detlef Schrempf (85)

5. Chris Mullin (81)

Ewing was the first overall pick in this draft, but the others listed above were selected seventh (Mullin), eighth (Schrempf), 13th (Malone), and 24th (Porter). Porter attended the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, at the time an NAIA school. In my opinion, both he and Schrempf have good Hall of Fame cases.

This draft produced six players with a career value of at least 75, one more than any other class. That group is made up of the five players above, plus Joe Dumars (77).

#2: 1996 NBA Draft (863)

The top five players by career value:

1. Kobe Bryant (181)

2. Ray Allen (118)

3. Steve Nash (115)

4. Allen Iverson (114)

5. Stephon Marbury (75)

Allen (fifth overall pick), Iverson (first), and Marbury (fourth) were all taken in the top five picks, but Bryant and Nash were the 13th and 15th overall selections, respectively. Bryant, Nash, and Iverson each won at least one MVP Award, tied for the most such winners in a single draft class (more on this below).

No draft class in NBA history has produced more All-Star Game selections (64). Ten different players accounted for these selections, including six of the top seven picks. The lone non-All-Star in the top seven was second overall pick Marcus Camby, who won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2006-07 and was a four-time All-Defensive selection.

#1: 1984 NBA Draft (977)

The top five players by career value:

• Michael Jordan (231)

• Charles Barkley (162)

• Hakeem Olajuwon (156)

• John Stockton (155)

• Otis Thorpe (79)

This result shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who knows a little bit about NBA history. This group — which has been the subject of a documentary by NBA TV and a book by Filip Bondy — stands head and shoulders above the rest.

There have been deeper drafts, but none come close to matching the quality at the top of this group. Four of these players have a career value of at least 150. The only other draft class to produce even two such players is 2009 (Stephen Curry and James Harden).

Jordan, Barkley, and Olajuwon each won at least one MVP Award, tied with 1996 for the most such winners in a single draft class. They accounted for seven total MVP Awards (five for Jordan, one apiece for Olajuwon and Barkley), the most ever in one draft class.

This draft class also accounted for 47 All-NBA nods, a whopping 10 more than any other group. Olajuwon leads the way with 12 such selections, followed by Barkley, Jordan, and Stockton with 11 apiece. Alvin Robertson and Kevin Willis were also named to one All-NBA team each.

Thorpe earned just one All-Star selection in his 17-season career, but he was a very good player for a very long time. He’s one of 28 players in NBA history to reach career totals of 15,000 points and 10,000 rebounds, and his career field goal percentage of 54.6% ranks fifth in that group.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 45 points as the New York Knicks rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to claim their first title since 1973. Brunson shot 14-27 from the field (4-7 on threes) and 13-15 from the free throw line. He also contributed three rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 41 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Dylan Harper came off the bench to score a team-high 25 points, but it wasn’t enough in the Spurs’ series-ending loss to the Knicks. Harper made 10 of his 19 attempts from the floor, including two 3-pointers. He added five rebounds, four assists, and one block in 31 turnover-free minutes.

Third ⭐️

Josh Hart recorded a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds in the Knicks’ comeback win. Hart shot just 4-11 from the field, but sank three of his six 3-point attempts. He posted a team-high rating of plus-15 points in 39 minutes of action.

Milestones

• Brunson won the Bill Russell Trophy as the NBA Finals MVP. He averaged 32.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.6 APG, and 2.0 SPG in five games, shooting 42.1% from the field, 38.9% from 3-point range, and 86.0% from the free throw line.

• Brunson is just the fourth player in NBA history to score at least 45 points in a Finals-clinching win, joining Bob Pettit (50, 1958), Michael Jordan (45, 1998), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (50, 2021). He and Jordan are the only players to accomplish the feat on the road.

• Brunson recorded his 10th career 40-point playoff game, becoming the 12th player in NBA postseason history to reach that mark. At 6 feet 2 inches tall, he’s the second-shortest player to attain that milestone, trailing only the 6-foot Allen Iverson.

• At 20 years and 103 days old, Harper became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 25 points in a Finals game. Magic Johnson set the previous mark of 20 years and 271 days in Game 4 of the 1980 Finals.

• The New York Knicks won their first title in 53 years, the longest gap between championships in NBA history. The previous mark of 50 years was held by the Milwaukee Bucks (1971 to 2021).

• The Knicks outscored their opponents by 283 points in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, by far the largest such figure in a single postseason in league history. The previous mark of 230 points was set by the 2017 Golden State Warriors.

• The last four games of the 2026 NBA Finals were decided by four or fewer points. Only one other Finals has featured four such games in a row: the 1956 series in which the Philadelphia Warriors defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons four games to one.

Streaking

• Brunson has scored at least 15 points in each of his last 61 playoff games, tying Jerry West (March 24, 1961 to April 28, 1966) and LeBron James (June 9, 2011 to May 26, 2014) for the eighth-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• The Knicks won their ninth consecutive road playoff game, breaking a tie with the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers for the longest such streak in a single postseason in NBA history.

Miscellany

• Brunson was the night’s leading scorer, dropping 45 points. He was followed by Harper (25 points), the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (19), the Knicks’ Mikal Bridges (14), and the Spurs’ Julien Champagnie (14).

• Wembanyama was the top board man last night, collecting 14 rebounds. Also securing double-digit boards were a trio of Knicks: Hart (11 rebounds), Mitchell Robinson (10), and Karl-Anthony Towns (10).

• The Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox took home nightly honors in assists, handing out five helpers. Next in line were Bridges, the Spurs’ Stephon Castle, and Harper with four dimes apiece.

• Brunson accounted for 47.9% of the Knicks’ points, the fifth-highest such figure in a Finals game in NBA history. The only player to score a higher percentage of his team’s points in a closeout win is Michael Jordan (51.7%, 1998).

• The Knicks’ Mike Brown won his first NBA title in his 12th season as a head coach. The only coach to wait longer for his first championship is Larry Brown, who accomplished the feat in his 21st NBA season.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

OG Anunoby scored a playoff career-high 33 points — including a game-winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining — as the New York Knicks made a historic comeback to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals. Anunoby was incredibly efficient, going 10-15 from the field (7-9 on threes) and 6-6 from the free throw line. He also contributed four rebounds, one steal, and one block in 41 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 36 points in the Knicks’ record-breaking comeback win (more on that below). Brunson went 12-25 from the floor (3-7 on threes) and 9-11 from the charity stripe. He added a game-high seven assists (tied with De’Aaron Fox), five rebounds, and a team-high three steals in 44 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

Victor Wembanyama scored a team-high 24 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Spurs fell to the Knicks. Wembanyama shot just 9-25 from the field (2-8 on threes) and 4-7 from the free throw line. He also recorded game highs of 13 rebounds and three blocks in 44 turnover-free minutes.

Milestones

• The New York Knicks trailed by 27 points at halftime, the largest such deficit overcome to win a playoff game in NBA history. The previous mark of 26 points was set on April 24, 2025, when the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies.

• The Knicks were down by 15 points entering the fourth quarter, matching the largest such comeback in NBA Finals history. The Chicago Bulls also recovered from a 15-point deficit to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 6 of the 1993 Finals.

• The San Antonio Spurs scored 76 points in the first half and just 30 points in the second half, a difference of 46 points. That ties the Memphis Grizzlies (April 24, 2025) for the largest such difference in a playoff game in NBA postseason history.

• The Spurs’ 27-point halftime lead was the largest in NBA Finals history by a visitor in a true road game. The previous mark of 24 points was set by the Chicago Bulls versus the Seattle SuperSonics in Game 3 of the 1996 Finals.

• At 20 years and 100 days old, the Spurs’ Dylan Harper became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 20 points in a Finals game, tallying 21 points. The previous mark of 20 years and 260 days was set by Tyler Herro in Game 4 of the 2020 Finals.

• Brunson produced his 18th career 35-point playoff game, tying Karl Malone and Kawhi Leonard for the 15th-most such games in NBA postseason history. He’s recorded 17 of those games with the Knicks, eight more than any other player in franchise history.

• Wembanyama has blocked 73 shots in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the fourth-highest total in a single postseason since the league began tracking blocks in 1973-74. He passed Dikembe Mutombo, who recorded 72 blocks in 2001.

Streaking

• Brunson has scored at least 15 points in each of his last 60 playoff games, the 10th-longest such streak in NBA postseason history. The streak spans his entire postseason career with the Knicks.

• Wembanyama has recorded at least 20 points and one block in 11 straight playoff games, the longest such streak since Shaquille O’Neal recorded 14 such games in a row from May 12, 2002 to April 20, 2003.

• Anunoby has made at least one 3-pointer in 25 consecutive playoff games, the longest such streak in New York Knicks postseason history. He’s averaging 19.4 PPG with 51.6/42.1/83.6 shooting splits over that span.

• The Knicks have scored at least 100 points in 27 consecutive playoff games, breaking a tie with the Boston Celtics (May 29, 1958 to April 2, 1960) for the sixth-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

Miscellany

• Brunson led the nightly scoring brigade, bagging 36 points. He was followed by Anunoby (33 points), Wembanyama (24), and Harper (21).

• Wembanyama was the top board man last night, pulling down 13 rebounds. The Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns also collected double-digit boards with 10.

• Brunson and Fox were the night’s leading playmakers, handing out seven assists apiece. The Knicks’ Josh Hart was next in line, delivering six dimes.

• Anunoby recorded the second-highest true shooting percentage (93.5%) and the third-highest effective field goal percentage (90.0%) in a 30-point game in NBA Finals history.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Victor Wembanyama scored a game-high 32 points (tied with Jalen Brunson) as the San Antonio Spurs beat the New York Knicks 115-111 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, cutting New York’s series lead to 2-1. Wembanyama shot 11-18 from the field (2-4 on threes) and 8-9 from the free throw line. He added eight rebounds, six assists, a game-high three blocks, and a team-high two steals, committing just one turnover in 39 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

OG Anunoby scored a team-high 28 points, but it wasn’t enough in the Knicks’ loss to the Spurs. Anunoby went 9-13 from the floor (3-7 on threes) and 7-9 from the charity stripe. He also grabbed five rebounds, blocked a team-high two shots (tied with Karl-Anthony Towns), and was charged with only one turnover in 38 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

Stephon Castle scored 23 points in the Spurs’ huge road win over the Knicks. Castle shot 8-14 from the field (2-5 on threes) and 5-6 from the free throw line. He also contributed five rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block in 38 minutes played.

Milestones

• At 22 years and 155 days old, Wembanyama became the second-youngest player in NBA Finals history to record a 30-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist game. Magic Johnson was 20 years and 276 days old when he accomplished the feat in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals.

• Wembanyama has blocked 70 shots in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the fifth-highest total in a single postseason since the league began tracking blocks in 1973-74. He passed Hakeem Olajuwon (1986) and Dikembe Mutombo (1994), each of whom recorded 69 blocks.

• Castle is just the fourth player age 21 years or younger to record at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in an NBA Finals game. He joins Alvan Adams (three times), Magic Johnson (twice), and Tony Parker.

• Wembanyama and Castle are the first teammates in NBA history to each record at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the same Finals game at the age of 22 years or younger.

• This is just the second NBA Finals in which the home team has lost each of the first three games of the series. The first such occurrence came in 1993, when the Chicago Bulls opened the Finals with two road wins over the Phoenix Suns before the Suns returned the favor in Game 3.

Streaking

• The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson scored 32 points, extending his run of playoff games with 15 or more points to 59. It’s the 10th-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• Wembanyama has tallied at least 20 points, one steal, and one block in each of his last 10 playoff games, the longest such streak since the NBA began tracking steals and blocks in 1973-74.

• Wembanyama has recorded at least one steal and one block in 10 consecutive playoff games, the longest such streak in San Antonio Spurs postseason history.

• The New York Knicks have scored at least 100 points in 26 straight playoff games, tying the Boston Celtics (May 29, 1958 to April 2, 1960) for the sixth-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

Miscellany

• Brunson and Wembanyama shared nightly scoring honors with 32 points apiece. They were followed by Anunoby (28 points), Castle (23), and the Knicks’ Josh Hart (16).

• The Spurs’ Dylan Harper and Hart were the chairmen of the boards, each grabbing nine rebounds last night. The Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns and Wembanyama were next in line with eight boards apiece.

• The Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox was the night’s top playmaker, handing out eight assists. Wembanyama was runner-up with six dimes.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Karl-Anthony Towns scored a team-high 21 points as the New York Knicks edged out the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. Town shot 8-12 from the field, sinking three of his five 3-point attempts. He also contributed a game-high 13 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 34 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Mikal Bridges scored 20 points as the Knicks held off the Spurs. Bridges went 8-13 from the floor, hitting four of his six attempts from 3-point range. He added six rebounds, a game-high six assists (tied with Jalen Brunson), and one steal, committing just one turnover in 41 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

Victor Wembanyama scored a game-high 29 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Spurs fell to the Knicks. Wembanyama shot 11-21 from the field and 5-8 from the free throw line. He also recorded a team-high nine rebounds (tied with Devin Vassell), a game-high four blocks, and a team-high two steals in 40 minutes played.

Milestones

• The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson tallied 20 points, five rebounds, six assists, and five steals, becoming just the 10th player to record at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five steals in a Finals game since the NBA began tracking the latter statistic in 1973-74.

• Towns made the 100th 3-pointer of his playoff career, joining Dirk Nowitzki as the only listed 7-footers in NBA postseason history to attain that milestone. Towns reached the mark in 66 games, 15 fewer than Nowitzki.

• Towns and Bridges became just the seventh teammates in NBA history to each score at least 20 points with an effective field goal percentage of 75% in the same Finals game.

• The New York Knicks are just the third team in NBA Finals history to win Games 1 and 2 on the road. They join the 1993 Chicago Bulls and the 1995 Houston Rockets, both of whom went on to win the Finals.

Streaking

• Brunson has scored at least 15 points in each of his last 58 playoff games, breaking a tie with LeBron James (May 30, 2014 to May 19, 2017) for the 10th-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• Brunson shot just 7-25 from the floor, the second straight game in which he’s shot less than 40% from the field on 25 or more attempts. The last player to record two such games in a row in the Finals was Patrick Ewing on June 12 and 15, 1994.

• The Knicks have won 13 consecutive playoff games, the second-longest such streak in a single postseason in NBA history. The 2017 Golden State Warriors recorded 15 playoff wins in a row.

• The Knicks have won their last eight road playoff games, tying the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers for the longest such streak in a single postseason in NBA history.

• The Knicks have scored at least 100 points in 25 straight playoff games, tying the Golden State Warriors (May 26, 2018 to June 5, 2019) for the seventh-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

Miscellany

• Wembanyama led the nightly scoring brigade, bagging 29 points. He was followed by Towns (21 points), Bridges (20), Brunson (20), and the Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox (20).

• Towns was the top board man last night, snagging 13 rebounds. The Spurs’ Devin Vassell and Wembanyama were runners-up with nine boards apiece.

• Bridges and Brunson were the night’s premier playmakers, handing out six assists each.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Josh Hart recorded game highs of 15 rebounds, six assists, and four steals as the New York Knicks rallied to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Hart scored just three points, going 1-5 from the floor. He posted a game-high rating of plus-22 points in 27 turnover-free minutes.

Second ⭐️

Karl-Anthony Towns produced a double-double in his first career Finals game, tallying 18 points and 12 rebounds in the Knicks’ win. Towns shot 7-15 from the field and 4-4 from the free throw line. He also dished out four assists and blocked one shot in 34 minutes played.

Third ⭐️

Jalen Brunson scored 13 of his game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks erased a 14-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Spurs. Brunson went just 12-31 from the floor, but made five of his nine attempts in the final period. He added three rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes of action.

Milestones

• Spurs rookie Dylan Harper scored 16 points, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score in double figures in a Finals game (20 years and 93 days). The previous mark of 20 years and 121 days was set by Dereck Lively II in Game 3 of the 2024 Finals.

• The New York Knicks have outscored their opponents by 272 points over the last 12 games, the highest such figure in NBA history over any 12-game span, regular season or postseason.

• The San Antonio Spurs misfired on 32 of their 43 attempts from beyond the arc, setting a franchise playoff record and tying an NBA Finals record for most 3-pointers missed in a game. They share the latter mark with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who missed 32 threes in Game 3 of the 2017 Finals.

Streaking

• Brunson has scored at least 15 points in each of his last 57 playoff games, tying LeBron James (May 30, 2014 to May 19, 2017) for the 10th-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• The Knicks have won 12 straight playoff games, becoming just the third team in NBA history to reach that mark in a single postseason. They join the 2017 Golden State Warriors (15 in a row) and the 1999 San Antonio Spurs (12).

• The Knicks have posted seven consecutive wins by 10 or more points, breaking a tie with the 2004 Indiana Pacers for the second-longest such streak in NBA postseason history. The record of eight double-digit wins in a row is held by the 2009 Cleveland Cavaliers.

• The Knicks have won each of their last seven road playoff games by double figures, the longest such streak in NBA postseason history by two games.

• The Knicks have scored at least 100 points in each of their last 24 playoff games, snapping a tie with the Boston Celtics (June 8, 1986 to June 11, 1987) for the eighth-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

Miscellany

• Brunson was the night’s leading scorer, dropping 30 points. He was followed by the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (26 points), Towns (18), the Knicks’ OG Anunoby (17), and the Spurs’ Stephon Castle (17).

• Hart was the chairman of the boards, pulling down 15 rebounds last night. Also collecting double-digit boards were Towns (12 rebounds), Wembanyama (12), and the Spurs’ Julian Champagnie (10).

• Hart took home nightly honors in assists, delivering six dimes. The Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox was runner-up with five assists.

• Wembanyama is just the fourth player to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in his Finals debut since the NBA began tracking blocks in 1973-74. He joins Elvin Hayes (1975), Hakeem Olajuwon (1986), and Shaquille O’Neal (1995).

• Hart became the first player to record at least 15 rebounds and five assists while scoring fewer than five points in an NBA Finals game since Wes Unseld in Game 2 of the 1978 Finals.

• Brunson is just the second player since the ABA-NBA merger to record more field goals attempted than points in a 30-point game in the Finals. LeBron James scored 32 points on 33 shots in Game 6 of the 2015 Finals.

• The Spurs lost the first game of an NBA Finals series for the first time in franchise history. They had been 6-0 in Finals openers.

It’s been 27 years since the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks last met in the NBA Finals. Here are 27 factoids about the two franchises as the NBA gets ready to crown its 80th champion:

1. The Spurs have reached the NBA Finals for the seventh time in franchise history. It’s their first appearance since 2014. San Antonio has won five titles, with their lone Finals loss coming in 2013 to the Miami Heat.

2. The Spurs are one of only four franchises to win at least five championships since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. The others are the Los Angeles Lakers (11 titles), the Chicago Bulls (six), and the Boston Celtics (five).

3. The Knicks have reached the NBA Finals for the ninth time in franchise history. It’s their first appearance since 1999, when they also faced the Spurs. New York has won two titles, in 1970 and 1973.

4. The Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers (nee Syracuse Nationals) are tied for the second-most series losses in NBA Finals history with six. The Los Angeles Lakers are the runaway leaders with 15 such losses.

5. The Knicks enter the Finals on an 11-game winning streak, having outscored their opponents by 262 points over that stretch. That’s the largest point differential in NBA history over any 11-game span, regular season or postseason.

6. The Knicks are just the fifth team in NBA history to win at least 11 consecutive games in a single postseason. The others are the 2017 Golden State Warriors (15 in a row), the 1999 San Antonio Spurs (12), the 1989 Los Angeles Lakers (11), and the 2001 Lakers (11).

7. The Knicks have an average point differential of plus-19.4 PPG in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the largest such figure in postseason history by a team prior to the Finals. The previous mark of plus-16.3 PPG was set by the 2017 Golden State Warriors.

8. The Knicks have won four games by 30 or more points in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, tying the 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder for the most such wins in a single postseason.

9. The Spurs have six wins by 20 or more points in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, tying them with the 1996 Utah Jazz, the 2014 Spurs, the 2018 Golden State Warriors, and the 2019 Milwaukee Bucks for the most such wins in a single postseason.

10. The Spurs and the Knicks have each recorded seven wins by 15 or more points in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Only three teams in NBA postseason history have posted more such wins prior to the NBA Finals: the 1985 Los Angeles Lakers (nine), the 1996 Utah Jazz (eight), and the 2014 Spurs (eight).

11. The Spurs have scored at least 100 points in each of their 18 games in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the longest such streak in history by a team prior to the Finals. They are tied with the 2021 LA Clippers and the 2023 Boston Celtics for the most 100-point games in a single postseason through the conference or division finals.

12. The Knicks have scored at least 100 points in each of their last 23 playoff games, tied with the Boston Celtics (June 8, 1986 to June 11, 1987) for the eighth-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

13. Including the playoffs, the Spurs are 45-13 since Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 19), the best record in the NBA over that span. At 40-14, the Knicks are tied with Oklahoma City Thunder for the second-best record over that stretch. However, the Knicks own the highest average point differential over that span (+11.9 PPG), while the Spurs rank second (+11.2 PPG).

14. The Spurs’ starters have an average age of 24.5 years (based on age in years and days on the day of each playoff game), the second-lowest such figure by a Finals team since the NBA began tracking starters in 1970-71. The low of 24.3 years was set by the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers.

15. The Spurs won their first NBA title on June 25, 1999, beating the Knicks 78-77 in Game 5. The only one of their top-7 scorers in the 2026 NBA Playoffs who was alive at that time is De’Aaron Fox (born on Dec. 20, 1997). On the flip side, nine of the Knicks’ top-10 scorers in these playoffs were alive the last time these two franchises met in the Finals. The exception is Miles McBride, who was born on Sep. 8, 2000.

16. Spurs rookies Dylan Harper (460 minutes) and Carter Bryant (164) have played a combined 624 minutes through the conference finals, the highest such total by a Finalist since the 1993 Phoenix Suns.

17. Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has made 30 threes and blocked 60 shots in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. He’s the first player in history to record at least 25 three-pointers made and 50 blocks in a single postseason.

18. The 22-year-old Wembanyama has compiled 394 points, 183 rebounds, and 60 blocks in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. He’s the youngest player to record at least 300 points, 150 rebounds, and 50 blocks in a single postseason since the league began tracking the latter statistic in 1973-74.

19. The Spurs’ Stephon Castle has produced 345 points and 120 assists in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. He’s the first player in history to record at least 300 points and 100 assists in a single postseason before his 22nd birthday.

20. The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson became the 71st player in NBA postseason history to reach 2,000 career points. He attained that milestone in 78 games, making him the 18th-fastest player to do so.

21. Brunson has recorded a plus-minus of plus-226 points in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the highest such figure prior to the Finals in the play-by-play era. The previous mark of plus-215 points was set by Stephen Curry in 2017.

22. Brunson has scored at least 15 points in each of his last 56 playoff games, tied with Wilt Chamberlain (March 20, 1960 to April 14, 1967) for the 11th-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

23. Karl-Anthony Towns has recorded two triple-doubles in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The only other listed 7-footer in history to produce multiple triple-doubles in a single postseason is Wilt Chamberlain in 1967 with seven.

24. A total of 21 players have made at least 75 field goals in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The top three by effective field goal percentage all play for the Knicks: OG Anunoby (67.9%), Towns (65.2%), and Mikal Bridges (63.8%).

25. The Knicks’ Landry Shamet has made 21 of his 35 shots from beyond the arc in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, a 3-point field goal percentage of 60.0%. That’s the highest such figure among the 75 players who have made at least 10 threes this postseason.

26. The Knicks have recorded an effective field goal percentage of 59.2% in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the second-highest such figure in history by a team prior to the Finals. The high of 59.8% was set by the 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers.

27. The Knicks’ Mike Brown is the 11th different head coach to lead multiple franchises to the NBA Finals. It’s been 19 years since his last Finals appearance with the 2007 Cleveland Cavaliers, the largest such gap in history by a head coach who’s been to multiple Finals. The previous mark of 14 years was set by the Indiana Pacers’ Rick Carlisle last year.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 35 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs with a 111-103 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 12-21 from the field and 9-11 from the free throw line. He also contributed a game-high nine assists, four rebounds, a game-high three steals (tied with De’Aaron Fox), and one block in 43 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Julian Champagnie scored 20 points in the Spurs’ series-clinching win over the Thunder. Champagnie went 6-11 from the floor, with all of his makes coming from 3-point range. He also grabbed six rebounds and swiped one steal, posting a game-best rating of plus-16 points in 38 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

Victor Wembanyama scored a team-high 22 points as the Spurs beat the Thunder to reach the NBA Finals. Wembanyama shot 7-15 from the field (3-5 on threes) and 5-7 from the free throw line. He added a team-high seven rebounds (tied with Dylan Harper), one steal, and one block, committing just one turnover in 42 minutes played.

Milestones

• Wembanyama won the Earvin “Magic” Johnson Trophy as the Western Conference Finals MVP, averaging 27.3 PPG, 10.9 RPG, and 2.7 BPG with 48.1/40.0/89.5 shooting splits. At 22 years old, he’s the youngest player in NBA history to average at least 25 PPG and 10 RPG in a conference or division finals series.

• Wembanyama hit 16 triples and blocked 19 shots in the Western Conference Finals, becoming the first player in NBA history to record 15 or more 3-pointers made and 15 or more blocks in a single postseason series.

• The San Antonio Spurs have reached the NBA Finals for the seventh time in franchise history. They won the title in five of their previous six appearances, with the only series loss coming in 2013 to the Miami Heat.

• The NBA will produce its eighth different champion in the last eight seasons, a first in league history. Either the San Antonio Spurs or the New York Knicks will join the Toronto Raptors (2019), the Los Angeles Lakers (2020), the Milwaukee Bucks (2021), the Golden State Warriors (2022), the Denver Nuggets (2023), the Boston Celtics (2024), and the Oklahoma City Thunder (2025). There were six different champions from 1975 to 1980.

Streaking

• The Thunder’s Cason Wallace had two steals, the 18th straight playoff game in which he’s logged at least one theft. He’s recorded multiple steals in each of his last seven contests.

• The San Antonio Spurs have scored at least 100 points in each of their last 18 playoff games, the second-longest such streak in franchise postseason history. The record of 21 straight 100-point playoff games was set from May 2, 1982 to April 26, 1985.

• The Oklahoma City Thunder are the seventh straight defending NBA champion to fail to return to the Finals, the longest such streak in league history. The last reigning champion to reach the Finals was the 2018-19 Golden State Warriors, who fell to the Toronto Raptors in six games.

Miscellany

• Gilgeous-Alexander was the night’s leading scorer, dropping 35 points. He was followed by Wembanyama (22 points), Champagnie (20), the Thunder’s Cason Wallace (17), and the Spurs’ Stephon Castle (16).

• The Thunder’s Jaylin Williams was the top board man, collecting 10 rebounds last night. The Spurs’ Dylan Harper, Wallace, and Wembanyama shared second place with seven boards apiece.

• Gilgeous-Alexander took home nightly honors in assists, delivering nine dimes. Castle was runner-up with six assists, while the Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox placed third with five.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Victor Wembanyama scored a game-high 28 points as the San Antonio Spurs staved off elimination with a 118-91 rout of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama shot 10-21 from the field, hitting four of his nine 3-point attempts. He also contributed a team-high nine rebounds, a game-high three blocks, and a team-high two steals in 28 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Stephon Castle scored 17 points in the Spurs’ blowout win over the Thunder. Castle went 5-10 from the floor and 7-8 from the free throw line. He added a game-high nine assists, five rebounds, and one steal, committing just one turnover in 32 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

Dylan Harper scored 18 points as the Spurs beat the Thunder to force a Game 7. Harper shot 6-9 from the field, sinking two of his three attempts from 3-point range. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists in just 22 minutes played.

Milestones

• Wembanyama produced his fifth 25-point, 10-rebound game of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. At 22 years and 144 days old, he’s the youngest player in league history to record five such games in a single postseason.

• This will be the fifth series in the 2026 NBA Playoffs to go the full seven games, matching the most Game 7s in a single postseason. This also happened in 1994, 2014, and 2016.

Streaking

• The Thunder’s Cason Wallace had a game-high three steals, the 17th straight playoff game in which he’s recorded at least one theft. He’s swiped multiple steals in each of his last six contests.

• Wembanyama has blocked multiple shots in each of his last eight playoff games. His 59 blocks in the 2026 NBA Playoffs are the most in a single postseason since Serge Ibaka also rejected 59 shots in 2012.

• The San Antonio Spurs have scored at least 100 points in each of their last 17 playoff games, the second-longest such streak in franchise postseason history. The record of 21 straight 100-point playoff games was set from May 2, 1982 to April 26, 1985.

Miscellany

• Wembanyama led the nightly scoring brigade, bagging 28 points. He was followed by Harper (18 points), Castle (17), and the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (15).

• The Thunder’s Chet Holmgren was the top board man last night, snagging 11 rebounds. Wembanyama also collected double-digit boards with 10.

• Castle was the night’s premier playmaker, handing out nine assists. The Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox was runner-up with seven dimes, while the Thunder’s Jared McCain placed third with six.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 32 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to take a 3-2 series lead. Gilgeous-Alexander shot just 7-19 from the field, but sank 16 of his 17 free throw attempts. He also contributed a game-high nine assists, two steals, and one block in 37 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Alex Caruso came off the bench to score 22 points in the Thunder’s win over the Spurs. Caruso went 5-10 from the floor (4-8 on threes) and 8-8 from the charity stripe. He also dished out six assists and swiped a game-high three steals (tied with four others) in 28 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

Stephon Castle scored a team-high 24 points, but it wasn’t enough in the Spurs’ loss to the Thunder. Castle shot 7-11 from the field (3-5 on threes) and 7-8 from the free throw line. He added six assists, five rebounds, and a game-high three steals (tied with four others) in 33 minutes played.

Milestones

• Caruso has made 18 threes this series, the most in NBA history by a bench player in a single conference finals. The previous mark of 17 triples was shared by Mickael Pietrus (2009) and Stephen Jackson (2012).

Streaking

• The Thunder’s Cason Wallace had two steals, the 16th straight playoff game in which he’s recorded at least one theft. He’s swiped multiple steals in each of his last five contests.

• The San Antonio Spurs have scored at least 100 points in each of their last 16 playoff games, the second-longest such streak in franchise postseason history. The record of 21 straight 100-point playoff games was set from May 2, 1982 to April 26, 1985.

Miscellany

• Gilgeous-Alexander was the night’s leading scorer, dropping 32 points. He was followed by Castle (24 points), Caruso (22), the Spurs’ Julian Champagnie (22), the Thunder’s Jared McCain (20), and the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (20).

• The Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein was the top board man last night, hauling in 15 rebounds. Teammate Chet Holmgren also collected double-digit boards with 11.

• Gilgeous-Alexander took home nightly honors in assists, handing out nine helpers. The Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox was runner-up with eight dimes, followed by Caruso and Castle with six apiece.

• Caruso has scored at least 15 points with an effective field goal percentage of 70% four times in this series, tying James Worthy (1985), Kyrie Irving (2017), and Caleb Martin (2023) for the most such games in a single conference finals. Caruso is the only player to come off the bench in all four games.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Karl-Anthony Towns led a balanced attack with 19 points as the New York Knicks destroyed the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals to complete the series sweep. Towns shot an efficient 8-11 from the field, sinking all three of his 3-point attempts. He also contributed a game-high 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a game-high two blocks (tied with Jarrett Allen) in just 26 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 31 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough in the Cavaliers’ loss to the Knicks. Mitchell went 9-18 from the floor (5-9 on threes) and 8-10 from the charity stripe. He also grabbed four rebounds and swiped one steal in 32 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

OG Anunoby scored 17 points as the Knicks routed the Cavaliers. Anunoby shot 6-13 from the field and 4-4 from the free throw line. He added seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, committing just one turnover in 27 minutes played.

Milestones

• The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson won the Larry Bird Trophy as the Eastern Conference Finals MVP. He averaged 25.5 PPG and 7.8 APG in four games, shooting 48.7% from the field and 78.6% from the free throw line.

• The Cavaliers’ James Harden appeared in his 191st career playoff game, breaking a tie with Magic Johnson for 14th place on the NBA’s postseason leaderboard. He made eight free throws to increase his playoff career total to 1,128, passing Tim Duncan to take over sixth place on the league’s all-time list.

• The New York Knicks have won four games by 30 or more points in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, tying the 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder for the most such wins in a single postseason.

• The Knicks became the first team in NBA history to record three series-clinching wins by 30 or more points in a single postseason. They shared the previous mark of two such wins with the 1987 Los Angeles Lakers, the 2008 Boston Celtics, and the 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder.

• The Knicks have outscored their opponents by 262 points over the last 11 games, the highest such figure in NBA history over any 11-game span, regular season or postseason. The previous mark of 243 points was set by the Boston Celtics from Feb. 4 to March 3, 2024.

• The Knicks have an average point differential of plus-19.4 PPG in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the highest such figure in league history by a team prior to the Finals. The previous mark of plus-16.3 PPG was held by the 2017 Golden State Warriors.

Streaking

• Mitchell has made at least one 3-pointer in each of his last 38 playoff games, tying Damian Lillard (April 22, 2017 to April 25, 2025) for the seventh-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• Brunson scored 15 points to extend his streak of playoff games with 15 or more points to 56. That ties Wilt Chamberlain (March 20, 1960 to April 14, 1967) for the 11th-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• The Knicks have won 11 straight playoff games, becoming just the fifth team in NBA history to reach that mark in a single postseason. They join the 2017 Golden State Warriors (15 in a row), the 1999 San Antonio Spurs (12), the 1989 Los Angeles Lakers (11), and the 2001 Lakers (11).

• The Knicks have posted six consecutive wins by 10 or more points, tying the 2004 Indiana Pacers for the second-longest such streak in NBA postseason history. The record of eight double-digit wins in a row is held by the 2009 Cleveland Cavaliers.

• The Knicks have won each of their last six road playoff games by double figures, breaking a tie with the 2013 Miami Heat and the 2027 Golden State Warriors for the longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• The Knicks have scored at least 100 points in each of their last 23 playoff games, tying the Boston Celtics (June 8, 1986 to June 11, 1987) for the eighth-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

Miscellany

• Mitchell took home nightly scoring honors with 31 points. He was followed by Towns (19 points), Anunoby (17), and the Knicks’ Landry Shamet (16).

• Towns was the chairman of the boards, snagging 14 rebounds last night. Teammates Josh Hart (11 rebounds) and Mitchell Robinson (10) also collected double-digit boards.

• Hart was the night’s top playmaker, handing out six assists. The Knicks’ Mikal Bridges and Brunson were runners-up with five dimes each.

• Shamet made 11 of his 12 shots from beyond the arc in the Eastern Conference Finals, a 3-point field goal percentage of 91.7%. That’s the highest such figure in a postseason series in NBA history by a player who hit at least five triples.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Victor Wembanyama scored a game-high 33 points as the San Antonio Spurs routed the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-82 in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals to knot the series at two games apiece. Wembanyama shot 11-22 from the field (3-7 on threes) and 8-9 from the free throw line. He added eight rebounds, five assists, a game-high three blocks, and two steals, posting a game-best rating of plus-29 points in 31 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

De’Aaron Fox scored 12 points to go with a playoff career-high 10 rebounds in the Spurs’ series-tying win over the Thunder. Fox went 5-13 from the floor with one 3-pointer made. He also contributed five assists, one steal, and one block in 31 turnover-free minutes.

Third ⭐️

Devin Vassell scored 13 points as the Spurs blew out the Thunder. Vassell shot 3-7 from the field (2-4 on threes) and 5-6 from the free throw line. He added six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block, committing just one turnover and no personal fouls in 33 minutes of action.

Milestones

• Wembanyama became the first player in NBA history to record at least 20 3-pointers made and 50 blocks in a single postseason. He’s hit 23 triples and rejected 53 shots in 14 games.

• Wembanyama is just the fifth player to record at least 100 points, 50 rebounds, and 10 blocks through the first four games of a conference finals since the NBA began tracking the latter statistic in 1973-74. He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1977), Elvin Hayes (1978), Tim Duncan (2003), and Anthony Davis (2023).

Streaking

• The San Antonio Spurs have scored at least 100 points in each of their last 15 playoff games, the second-longest such streak in franchise postseason history. The record of 21 straight 100-point playoff games was set from May 2, 1982 to April 26, 1985.

Miscellany

• Wembanyama was the night’s leading scorer, tallying 33 points. He was followed by the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19 points), the Spurs’ Stephon Castle (13), Vassell (13), Fox (12), and the Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein (12).

• Fox was the top board man last night, snagging a playoff career-high 10 rebounds. The Thunder’s Chet Holmgren was runner-up with nine boards, while Wembanyama placed third with eight.

• Gilgeous-Alexander took home nightly honors in assists, delivering seven dimes. Castle ranked second with six helpers.

• The Oklahoma City Thunder shot just 33.0% from the field (30-91), the lowest such figure in a conference finals game in franchise history and the fourth-lowest such figure in any of the franchise’s 376 playoff games.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 30 points as the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. Brunson shot 10-19 from the field and 10-12 from the free throw line. He also contributed six assists, three rebounds, and one steal in 41 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Mikal Bridges scored 22 points in the Knicks’ win over the Cavaliers, setting up a potential series-ending Game 4 on Monday. Bridges was very efficient, sinking 11 of his 15 shots from the floor. He added six rebounds, three steals, and a game-high two blocks in 39 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

OG Anunoby scored 21 points as the Knicks knocked off the Cavaliers to move within one win of the NBA Finals. Anunoby went 6-10 from the field (3-4 on threes) and 6-6 from the free throw line. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists in 31 minutes played.

Milestones

• The Cavaliers’ James Harden appeared in his 190th career playoff game, tying Magic Johnson for 14th place on the NBA’s all-time postseason list. His five career Finals games are the fewest of any player who ranks in the top 50.

• The New York Knicks have outscored their opponents by 225 points over the last 10 games, the highest such figure in NBA history over any 10-game span, regular season or postseason. The previous mark of 214 points was set by the Milwaukee Bucks from Nov. 27 to Dec. 16, 1973.

Streaking

• The Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell hit three triples, the 37th consecutive playoff game in which he’s made at least one 3-pointer. That ties Michael Finley (May 9, 2002 to May 11, 2005) for the eighth-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• Brunson has scored at least 15 points in each of his last 55 playoff games, breaking a tie with LeBron James (Aug. 22, 2020 to April 24, 2026) for the 12th-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• The New York Knicks have won 10 consecutive playoff games, the longest such streak in franchise history (by four games) and tied with four other teams for the seventh-longest such streak in NBA history.

• The Knicks have won five straight road playoff games by 10 or more points, tying the 2013 Miami Heat and the 2017 Golden State Warriors for the longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• The Knicks have scored at least 100 points in each of their last 22 playoff games, the longest such streak in franchise history (by six games) and tied with two other teams for the ninth-longest such streak in NBA history.

Miscellany

• Brunson was the night’s top bucket getter dropping 30 points. He was followed by the Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley (24 points), Mitchell (23), Bridges (22), and Anunoby (21).

• The Knicks’ Josh Hart was the chairman of the boards, snagging nine rebounds last night. Teammate Karl-Anthony Towns was runner-up with eight rebounds.

• Towns took home nightly honors in assists, delivering seven dimes. Brunson and the Cavaliers’ Max Strus shared second place with six assists apiece.

• Brunson has recorded 26 career 30-point playoff games with the Knicks, eight more than any other player in franchise history (Patrick Ewing, 18).

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 26 points (tied with Victor Wembanyama) as the Oklahoma City Thunder climbed out of an early 15-0 hole to beat the San Antonio Spurs 123-108 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, giving Oklahoma City a 2-1 series lead. Gilgeous-Alexander shot just 6-17 from the field (2-4 on threes), but sank all 12 of his free throw attempts. He also dished out a game-high 12 assists and blocked one shot in 36 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Victor Wembanyama matched Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-high 26 points, but it wasn’t enough in the Spurs’ loss to the Thunder. Wembanyama went 8-15 from the floor (2-5 on threes) and 8-10 from the charity stripe. He added four rebounds, three assists, a game-high two blocks (tied with Stephon Castle), and one steal in 39 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

Jaylin Williams came off the bench to score a playoff career-high 18 points as the Thunder downed the Spurs. Williams shot 5-7 from the field, with all of his makes coming from 3-point range. He also grabbed five rebounds and swiped two steals in 22 turnover-free minutes.

Milestones

• The Oklahoma City Thunder bench accounted for 76 points, the most ever in a conference finals game (the NBA introduced conference play in 1970-71). The previous mark of 69 bench points was set by the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the 1985 Western Conference Finals.

• The Thunder’s bench outscored the Spurs’ reserves by 53 points (76-23), the largest such difference in a game in conference finals history. The previous mark of 46 points (51-5) was set by the Spurs in Game 6 of the 2014 Western Conference Finals versus the — wait for it — Thunder.

• Three Thunder reserves scored at least 15 points: Jared McCain (24), Jaylin Williams (18), and Alex Caruso (15). That ties the record held by nine other teams for the most such players in a playoff game since the NBA began tracking starters in 1970-71.

Streaking

• The Thunder’s Alex Caruso came off the bench to score 15 points, going 4-7 from the field with three 3-pointers made. It’s the third straight game in which he’s scored at least 15 points with an effective field goal percentage of 75%. The only other reserve in conference finals history to produce three such games in a row is the Miami Heat’s Caleb Martin in 2023 versus the Boston Celtics.

• The Thunder went 17-38 (44.7%) from beyond the arc, the 12th consecutive playoff game in which they’ve made 10 or more 3-pointers. It’s the longest such streak in franchise history by three games.

Miscellany

• Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama shared nightly scoring honors with 26 points apiece. They were followed by the Thunder’s Jared McCain (24 points), the Spurs’ Devin Vassell (20), and Jaylin Williams (18).

• Isaiah Hartenstein was the night’s top board man with eight rebounds. The Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox and Vassell were runners-up with seven boards each.

• Gilgeous-Alexander was the leading playmaker last night with 12 assists. Next in line were the Spurs’ Stephon Castle with seven dimes and Fox with six.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Josh Hart scored a playoff career-high 26 points as the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-93 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals to take a 2-0 series lead. Hart shot 10-21 from the field, sinking five of his 11 attempts from 3-point range. He added seven assists, four rebounds, and a game-high two steals (tied with James Harden), committing just one turnover in 33 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Jalen Brunson scored 19 points to go with a playoff career-high 14 assists in the Knicks’ win over the Cavaliers. Brunson went 7-16 from the floor and 4-4 from the charity stripe. He also grabbed three rebounds and was charged with just one personal foul in 40 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

Mikal Bridges scored 19 points as the Knicks defeated the Cavaliers. Bridges was very efficient, hitting nine of his 12 attempts from the field. He also contributed three rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 40 turnover-free minutes.

Milestones

• The Cavaliers’ James Harden recorded two steals to increase his playoff career total to 311, passing Kobe Bryant to take over sixth place on the NBA’s postseason leaderboard (steals have been tracked since the 1973-74 season).

• The New York Knicks have outscored their opponents by 212 points over the last nine games, the highest such figure in NBA history over any nine-game span, regular season or postseason. The previous mark of 209 points was set by the Milwaukee Bucks from Nov. 28 to Dec. 16, 1973.

Streaking

• The Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell hit two triples to extend his streak of playoff games with at least one 3-pointer made to 35. He broke a tie with Jason Terry (May 30, 2006 to April 27, 2010) for the ninth-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• Brunson has scored at least 15 points in each of his last 54 playoff games, tying LeBron James (Aug. 22, 2020 to April 24, 2026) for the 12th-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• The New York Knicks have won nine consecutive playoff games, the longest such streak in franchise history (by three games) and tied for the 11th-longest such streak in NBA history.

• The Knicks have scored at least 100 points in each of their last 21 playoff games, the longest such streak in franchise history (by five games) and tied for the 11th-longest such streak in NBA history.

Miscellany

• Hart and Mitchell were the night’s leading scorers, each netting 26 points (a playoff career high for Hart). They were followed by Brunson (19 points), Bridges (19), Harden (18), and the Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns (18).

• Towns was the chairman of the boards, pulling down 13 rebounds last night. The Cavaliers’ Jarrett Allen also collected double-digit boards with 10.

• Brunson took home nightly honors in assists, delivering a playoff career-high 14 dimes. Hart was runner-up with seven assists.

• Brunson’s 14 assists are the most by a New York Knick in a playoff game since Charlie Ward also handed out 14 helpers on May 3, 1998.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 30 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final to even the series at one game apiece. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 12-24 from the field and 6-6 from the free throw line. He added a game-high nine assists, four rebounds, a team-high two blocks, and one steal, committing just one turnover in 38 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Victor Wembanyama scored 21 points to go with a game-high 17 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough in the Spurs’ loss to the Thunder. Wembanyama went 8-16 from the floor, hitting three of his seven 3-point attempts. He also recorded six assists, a game-high four blocks, and one steal in 37 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

Alex Caruso came off the bench to score 17 points in the Thunder’s series-tying win. Caruso was very efficient, going 5-7 from the field (3-4 on threes) and 4-4 from the free throw line. He also contributed five assists, three rebounds, and one steal in 25 turnover-free minutes.

Milestones

• The Spurs’ Devin Vassell went 6-12 from beyond the arc, tying the franchise record for most 3-pointers attempted in a playoff game. He shares the mark of 12 attempts with Brent Barry (May 27, 2008) and Patty Mills (May 9, 2017).

• The Spurs’ Stephon Castle committed nine turnovers, giving him 20 errors over his last two games. That’s the most turnovers over any two-game playoff span since the NBA began tracking the statistic in 1977-78.

Streaking

• At 22 years and 136 days old, Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in back-to-back conference finals games. The previous mark of exactly 24 years was set by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on April 16, 1971.

• The Oklahoma City Thunder hit 13 triples, the 11th consecutive playoff game in which they’ve made 10 or more 3-pointers. It’s the longest such streak in franchise postseason history by two games.

Miscellany

• Gilgeous-Alexander led the nightly scoring brigade, bagging 30 points. He was followed by Castle (25 points), Vassell (22), Wembanyama (21), and Caruso (17).

• Wembanyama was the top board man, collecting 17 rebounds last night. The Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein also secured double-digit rebounds with 13.

• Gilgeous-Alexander was the night’s premier playmaker, distributing nine assists. Castle was runner-up with eight assists, while Wembanyama placed third with six.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 38 points as the New York Knicks stormed back from a 22-point deficit with less than eight minutes remaining to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Brunson shot 15-29 from the field and 7-10 from the free throw line. He also contributed a game-high six assists, five rebounds, and a team-high three steals in 46 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Donovan Mitchell scored a team-high 29 points, but it wasn’t enough in the Cavaliers’ loss to the Knicks. Mitchell went 12-23 from the floor, including four 3-pointers made. He added a game-high six steals, five rebounds, three assists, and one block in 41 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

Mikal Bridges scored 18 points as the Knicks rallied to beat the Cavaliers. Bridges shot an efficient 7-11 from the field with two 3-pointers made. He also grabbed five rebounds and swiped two steals in 42 minutes played.

Milestones

• Brunson became the 71st player in NBA history to reach 2,000 career playoff points. He attained that milestone in 78 games, the 18th-fastest player in postseason history to do so.

• Mitchell tied the Cleveland Cavaliers record for most steals in a playoff game with six. Five other Cavs have achieved the feat, most recently Jarrett Allen on April 28, 2025.

• The Cleveland Cavaliers missed 34 of their 50 shots from beyond the arc, setting franchise records for most 3-pointers missed and attempted in a playoff game. They surpassed the previous marks of 33 misses (twice) and 48 attempts (May 13, 2024).

Streaking

• Mitchell has made at last one 3-pointer in 35 consecutive playoff games, tying Jason Terry (May 30, 2006 to April 27, 2010) for the ninth-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• Brunson has scored at least 15 points in each of his last 53 playoff games, tying Elgin Baylor (April 9, 1959 to March 30, 1964) for the 13th-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

• Brunson has scored in double figures in 53 straight playoff games with the Knicks (63 in a row overall), breaking a tie with Walt Frazier (April 27, 1970 to March 29, 1974) for the longest such streak in franchise postseason history.

• The New York Knicks have won eight consecutive playoff games, the longest such streak in franchise history. They have outscored their opponents by 196 points during that run, the highest such figure in NBA postseason history over an eight-game span.

• The Knicks have scored at least 100 points in each of their last 20 playoff games, the longest such streak in franchise postseason history by four games.

Miscellany

• Brunson was the night’s top bucket getter, netting 38 points. Mitchell was runner-up with 29 points, while Bridges placed third with 18.

• The Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley was the nightly leader in rebounds, collecting 14 boards. The Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns also recorded double-digit rebounds with 13.

• Brunson was the premier playmaker last night, handing out six assists. The Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder and Towns shared second place with five dimes apiece.

• The Cavaliers’ James Harden went 5-16 from the floor (31.3%) and recorded a team-high six turnovers. It’s the 12th career playoff game in which he’s made less than one-third of his shots from the field and committed five or more turnovers, breaking a tie with Russell Westbrook for the most such games since the NBA began tracking individual errors in 1977-78.

• The Knicks trailed the Cavaliers by 14 points after three quarters, the third-largest such deficit overcome to win a conference finals (or division finals) game in NBA history. The Boston Celtics trailed the New Jersey Nets by 21 points in Game 3 of the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals, while the Knicks trailed the Boston Celtics by 16 points in Game 4 of the 1973 Eastern Conference Finals.

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Victor Wembanyama produced game highs of 41 points and 24 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs outlasted the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in double overtime to take Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama shot 14-25 from the field and 12-13 from the free throw line. He also blocked a game-high three shots and swiped one steal in 49 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Dylan Harper scored 24 points in the Spurs’ win over the Thunder. Harper went just 8-20 from the floor, but made all seven of his attempts from the charity stripe. He added 11 rebounds, a game-high seven steals, and six assists, committing just one turnover in 47 minutes of action.

Third ⭐️

Alex Caruso scored a playoff career-high 31 points, but it wasn’t enough in the Thunder’s loss to the Spurs. Caruso shot 11-19 from the field, sinking eight of his 14 attempts from 3-point range. He also recorded two steals and a team-high two blocks (tied with two others) in 32 minutes played.

Milestones

• At 22 years and 134 days old, Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game. The previous mark of 22 years and 352 days was held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (April 3, 1970).

• Wembanyama is just the fourth player to record a 40-point, 20-rebound game in the conference finals (the NBA introduced conference play in 1970-71). He joins Abdul-Jabbar (April 18, 1974), Moses Malone (April 26, 1981), and Charles Barkley (June 5, 1993).

• Harper broke the San Antonio Spurs’ record for most steals in a playoff game with seven. The previous mark of six thefts was accomplished four times, most recently by Kawhi Leonard (April 22, 2017).

• At 20 years and 77 days old, Harper became the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in a conference finals game. Magic Johnson (April 30, 1980) held the previous mark of 20 years and 260 days.

• Caruso tied the Oklahoma City Thunder’s record for most 3-pointers made in a playoff game with eight. He matched previous efforts by Gary Payton (April 29, 1997) and Paul George (April 15, 2008).

• The Spurs’ Stephon Castle set a franchise record for most turnovers in a playoff game with 11. The previous mark of 10 errors was held by Tim Duncan (May 7, 2002).

• The Spurs’ Julian Champagnie misfired on eight of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc, tying the franchise record for most 3-pointers missed in a playoff game. He shares the mark with Jaren Jackson (twice), Patty Mills, and Wembanyama.

• The San Antonio Spurs’ starting five — Devin Vassell, Champagnie, Wembanyama, Harper, and Castle — had an average age of 22.9 years, the youngest starting lineup in conference finals history. The previous mark of 23.7 years was set by the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the 1977 Western Conference Finals.

• The Spurs missed 30 of their 43 attempts from long range, setting franchise records for most 3-pointers missed and attempted in a playoff game. They surpassed the previous marks of 26 misses (twice) and 39 attempts (May 6, 2026).

Streaking

• The Spurs have scored at least 120 points in each of their last three playoff games, matching the franchise’s longest such streak in a single postseason since joining the NBA in 1976 (April 26–29, 1983).

Miscellany

• Wembanyama was the night’s leading scorer, dropping 41 points. He was followed by Caruso (31 points); the Thunder’s Jalen Williams (26) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24); and Harper (24).

• Wembanyama was also the night’s leading rebounder, collecting 24 boards. Harper was runner-up with 11 rebounds, while Champagnie placed third with nine.

• Gilgeous-Alexander took home nightly honors in assists, handing out 12 helpers. Castle also delivered double-digit dimes with 11 assists.

• Harper is just the third player (fourth instance) to record at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals in a conference finals game since the NBA began tracking the latter statistic in 1973-74. He joins Larry Bird (twice) and Julius Erving.

• Harper is only the second rookie since 1973-74 to record at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five steals in a playoff game, joining Magic Johnson (April 9, 1980).

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the 2026 NBA MVP Award by a wide margin, claiming 83 of the 100 first-place votes. His award share of 0.939 (939 out of a maximum 1,000 points) is the highest since Nikola Jokic in the 2020-21 season. Here are the complete voting results:

It’s the second consecutive season Gilgeous-Alexander has won the NBA’s highest individual honor, and the third straight season in which he’s been named on every ballot. Below are some additional tidbits on SGA’s historic campaign.

• Gilgeous-Alexander is the 16th player in NBA history to win multiple MVP Awards, and the 14th player to do so in consecutive seasons.

• Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 PPG (second in the NBA), a career-high 6.6 APG, and 1.4 SPG in 68 games. He shot a career-best 55.3% from the field, 38.6% from 3-point range, and 87.9% from the free throw line.

• Gilgeous-Alexander became just the fifth player (11th instance) in NBA history to average at least 30 PPG on 55% shooting from the field. He’s the only guard to accomplish the feat.

• Gilgeous-Alexander scored at least 20 points in each of his 68 regular season games. He’s only the second player in NBA history to achieve this feat (min. 70% of his team’s games), joining Wilt Chamberlain (80 games, twice).

• Gilgeous-Alexander broke Chamberlain’s long-standing NBA record of 126 consecutive 20-point games, extending his streak to 140 games by the end of the regular season.

• Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged at least 30 PPG in each of his last four seasons. Only three other players in NBA history have recorded at least four such seasons in a row: Chamberlain (seven), Michael Jordan (seven), and Oscar Robertson (four).

• Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged at least 30 PPG on 50% shooting from the field for four straight seasons. He’s just the third player in NBA history to produce at least four such seasons in a row, joining Chamberlain (six) and Jordan (five).

• Gilgeous-Alexander has posted figures of at least 30 PPG and 5 APG in each of his last four seasons. The only other players in NBA history to record at least four such seasons in a row are Jordan (six) and Oscar Robertson (four).

• Gilgeous-Alexander has recorded four straight seasons in which he’s averaged at least 30 PPG while shooting 50% from the field and 85% from the free throw line. No other player in NBA history has even accomplished that feat in back-to-back seasons.

• Gilgeous-Alexander scored 2,117 points and committed just 151 turnovers. Since the NBA began tracking individual turnovers in 1977-78, the only players to record a 2,000-point season with fewer errors are Kiki VanDeWeghe (139, 1986-87) and Dirk Nowitzki (149, 2009-10).

• Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 2,000 points and committed fewer than 200 turnovers in each of his last four seasons, the NBA’s longest such streak since 1977-78. He had been tied with Jordan, who recorded three such seasons in a row from 1995-96 to 1997-98.

• The last eight NBA MVP Awards have been won by players born outside the U.S.: Nikola Jokic (three times), Giannis Antetokounmpo (twice), Gilgeous-Alexander (twice), and Joel Embiid. The last U.S.-born player to receive the honor was James Harden in 2018-19.

• International players finished first, second, and third in the MVP Award voting for the fifth consecutive season. The last U.S.-born player to rank in the top three was Stephen Curry in 2020-21 (third).

Three Stars

Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.

First ⭐️

Evan Mobley scored 21 points to go with a game-high 12 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers routed the Detroit Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series. Mobley shot 7-10 from the field, sinking all six of his 2-point attempts. He also contributed six assists, two steals, and a game-high two blocks (tied with two others) in 36 minutes played.

Second ⭐️

Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 26 points in the Cavaliers’ blowout win over the Pistons. Mitchell went 10-22 from the floor with two 3-pointers made. He added a game-high eight assists, six rebounds, one steal, and one block in 31 turnover-free minutes.

Third ⭐️

Sam Merrill came off the bench to score a playoff career-high 23 points as the Cavaliers eliminated the Pistons. Merrill was very efficient, going 7-10 from the field (5-8 on threes) and 4-4 from the free throw line. He also swiped one steal in 25 minutes of action.

Milestones

• Four Cleveland Cavaliers scored at least 20 points: Mitchell (26), Jarrett Allen (23), Merrill (23), and Mobley (21). That ties the NBA record for the most such players in a Game 7, a feat achieved by five other teams.

• The Cavaliers also tied a franchise record for most 20-point scorers in any playoff game with four. They previously accomplished the feat on April 26, 1990 and May 6, 2016.

• The Cavaliers are just the third road team in NBA postseason history to win a Game 7 by 30 or more points, joining the 1948 Philadelphia Warriors (League Semifinals) and the 2022 Dallas Mavericks (Western Conference Semifinals).

• The Cavaliers missed 16 of their 44 attempts from the charity stripe, setting a franchise record for most free throws missed in a playoff game. They had recorded 13 misses on four occasions, most recently on April 15, 2017.

• The Detroit Pistons misfired on 27 of their 39 shots from beyond the arc, setting franchise records for most 3-pointers missed and attempted in a playoff game. The previous marks were 25 misses (April 20, 2019 and May 1, 2025) and 37 attempts (April 24, 2025).

Streaking

• Mitchell has made at least one 3-pointer in each of his last 34 playoff games, tying Desmond Bane (May 23, 2021 to May 3, 2026) for the 10th-longest such streak in NBA postseason history.

Miscellany

• Mitchell led the nightly scoring brigade, bagging 26 points. Allen (23 points), Merrill (23), and Mobley (21) also produced 20-point efforts.

• Mobley was the chairman of the boards, collecting 12 rebounds last night. The Pistons’ Jalen Duren was runner-up with nine rebounds.

• Mitchell was the night’s top playmaker, handing out eight assists. The Cavaliers’ James Harden and Mobley shared second place with six dimes apiece.

• Merrill recorded a true shooting percentage of 97.8%, the second-highest such figure in a Game 7 in NBA postseason history by a player who scored at least 20 points. Buddy Hield scored 33 points with a true shooting percentage of 110.0% in Game 7 of a 2025 Western Conference First Round series.