Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats center Malachi Moreno (24) passes the ball during the first half against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Good morning, BBN!
Things are about to pick back up in terms of recruiting for college basketball as the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline is quickly approaching. For Kentucky Wildcats fans, the most important decision comes from center Malachi Moreno.
Things seem to be trending in the right direction for the Georgetown native to return to Lexington, but a first-round guarantee could still be on the table, meaning what once seemed like a lock is now still up in the air.
With plenty of speculation swirling, one prediction might help ease the minds of the BBN. That comes from the voice of the Wildcats in Tom Leach.
Leach joined BBN Tonight this week and had this to say when asked about making a prediction on the future of Moreno;
“I’m still where I have always been. I always thought he would be back at Kentucky next season. I think that makes the most sense, and I continue to feel that way. So hope I’m right,” Leach said of Moreno.
Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.
The 2026 NBA Draft is starting to come into focus.
The draft lottery and scouting combine are over and workouts at team facilities around the country are underway before the Washington Wizards officially go on the clock with the No. 1 pick. The top-four prospects have seemingly been decided but there's no defining consensus yet on what order they might be selected. The real intrigue starts after that, with a bevy of talented guards and a few intriguing wings and bigs for NBA teams to sort through.
Prospects like Michigan's Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr., Baylor's Cameron Carr and Santa Clara's Allen Graves were among the players to see their stock rise in the eyes of AI after a fresh batch of intel in recent weeks. Alabama's Labaron Philon and Duke's Isaiah Evans, meanwhile, dropped a few spots in this AI mock draft, while several others fell out of the first round entirely based off Microsoft Copilot's analysis.
Here's a breakdown of Microsoft Copilot AI's latest 2026 NBA mock draft coming out of the NBA draft lottery and scouting combine, including the chatbot's reasoning for making each first-round pick:
2026 NBA mock draft: AI picks first round after scouting combine
USA TODAY Sports asked Microsoft Copilot AI to generate a mock draft for the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft featuring only players who could be eligible this year. The chatbot was asked to base its selections on current mock drafts from reputable websites since the conclusion of the NBA Draft Scouting Combine, as well as the latest intel on team needs, prospect analysis and potential draft withdrawals.
Note:AI models still have issues with accuracy as seen in the mock draft below. Of particular note, Microsoft Copilot needed additional prompts after several picks were inaccurately assigned to teams.The average mock draft pick referenced for each player was compiled by USA TODAY Sports using 10 of the latest mock drafts from national websites around the country, including USA TODAY.
AI analysis: "Washington continues a full rebuild and prioritizes primary offensive upside. Dybantsa profiles as a high-usage, shot-creating wing — exactly the type of player the roster currently lacks."
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Average mock draft pick: 2
AI analysis: "Utah’s roster features size and frontcourt depth but needs a perimeter creator who can generate offense at multiple levels. Peterson’s ability to score both on and off the ball complements an already established interior foundation."
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, Duke
Average mock draft pick: 3
AI analysis: "Memphis benefits from adding a halfcourt offensive stabilizer ... Boozer’s post scoring and passing provide structure in playoff settings, reducing reliance on guard-driven creation."
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
Average mock draft pick: 4
AI analysis: "Chicago has lacked frontcourt athleticism and defensive versatility. Wilson fills that gap as a modern, switchable forward."
AI analysis: "Wagler provides a developmental piece who can grow into a larger offensive role without requiring immediate high usage."
6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
Average mock draft pick: 6
AI analysis: "Brooklyn’s roster lacks a central offensive organizer. Acuff addresses that need as a primary ball-handler, capable of structuring possessions and initiating offense consistently."
7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, Houston
Average mock draft pick: 8
AI analysis: "Flemings adds another downhill guard, ensuring continuity in tempo and playmaking alongside the existing backcourt."
8. Atlanta Hawks: Aday Mara, Michigan
Average mock draft pick: 10
AI analysis: "Mara supplies rim protection and interior size, helping offset long-standing defensive limitations in guard-heavy lineups."
AI analysis: "Another playmaker who can initiate offense, Brown provides secondary creation, improving lineup flexibility."
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament, Tennessee
Average mock draft pick: 11
AI analysis: "Milwaukee targets youth and positional versatility. Ament projects as a two-way forward capable of defending multiple positions while developing complementary scoring skills alongside established stars."
11. Golden State Warriors: Brayden Burries, Arizona
Average mock draft pick: 9
AI analysis: "Golden State continues to prioritize skill and shooting within a motion system. Burries offers shot creation that translates within a read-and-react framework."
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers (NBL)
Average mock draft pick: 16
AI analysis: "Oklahoma City reinforces its philosophy of collecting long, versatile wings. Lopez fits seamlessly into a system built on interchangeability and decision-making."
13. Miami Heat: Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Average mock draft pick: 12
AI analysis: "Miami adds a high-motor, physical forward whose defensive effort and versatility align with the team’s established identity and development approach."
14. Charlotte Hornets: Cameron Carr, Baylor
Average mock draft pick: 15
AI analysis: "Charlotte builds around LaMelo Ball by adding an athletic wing finisher capable of thriving in transition and benefiting from high-level playmaking."
15. Chicago Bulls: Hannes Steinbach, Washington
Average mock draft pick: 15
AI analysis: "After adding a mobile forward earlier, Chicago balances the frontcourt with a traditional interior presence capable of rebounding, screening, and anchoring inside."
AI analysis: "Memphis continues to emphasize physicality. Johnson provides rebounding and interior toughness, reinforcing a defense-first supporting structure."
17. Oklahoma City Thunder: Labaron Philon, Alabama
Average mock draft pick: 14
AI analysis: "Oklahoma City adds another decision-maker in the backcourt, maintaining depth and flexibility within its multi-handler system."
18. Charlotte Hornets: Chris Cenac, Jr., Houston
Average mock draft pick: 22
AI analysis: "Charlotte complements its earlier selection with a developmental rim protector, addressing defensive gaps in the frontcourt."
19. Toronto Raptors: Koa Peat, Arizona
Average mock draft pick: 25
AI analysis: "He allows their best player (Scottie Barnes) to stay on the perimeter more and improves both physicality and lineup flexibility."
20. San Antonio Spurs: Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky
Average mock draft pick: 18
AI analysis: "San Antonio focuses on building a functional frontcourt around Victor Wembanyama. Quaintance offers defense and rebounding, allowing Wembanyama to operate more freely."
Average mock draft pick: 25 (appeared in 9/10 mock drafts)
AI analysis: "Detroit addresses spacing concerns by adding a perimeter shooter, improving offensive balance around its primary initiator."
22. Philadelphia 76ers: Dailyn Swain, Texas
Average mock draft pick: 22
AI analysis: "Philadelphia reinforces wing depth with a two-way contributor, capable of defending multiple positions while contributing offensively."
23. Atlanta Hawks: Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Average mock draft pick: 20
AI analysis: "What the Hawks don't have is a guard who stretches defenses consistently. Stirtz fills that exact gap."
24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves, Santa Clara
Average mock draft pick: 25
AI analysis: "A high-impact, low-maintenance forward whose analytical profile signals winning basketball ... an archetype NBA front offices increasingly prioritize in the late first round even without star-level usage."
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
Average mock draft pick: 22
AI analysis: "The Lakers add backcourt depth with a guard capable of handling and perimeter shooting, supporting a roster built around high-usage stars."
26. Denver Nuggets: Henri Veesaar, North Carolina
Average mock draft pick: 26
AI analysis: "Veesaar is one of the few late-first true floor-spacing bigs (about 43% from 3) who can play within structure ... Perfect (Nikola) Jokic backup/partner archetype — keeps spacing intact when Denver staggers lineups."
27. Boston Celtics: Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor
Average mock draft pick: 30 (only appeared in 6/10 mock drafts)
AI analysis: "Boston leans into its identity: long, switchable, physical wings. ... Developmental 3-and-D piece who fits Boston’s playoff style immediately."
AI analysis: "Minnesota can afford an upside swing on a scoring guard riser coming out of the combine process ... (for) bench scoring and secondary creator next to (Anthony) Edwards."
29. Cleveland Cavaliers: Alex Karaban, UConn
Average mock draft pick: 34 (appeared in 5/10 mock drafts)
AI analysis: "Cleveland needs size, shooting and decision-making on the wing. ... Plug-and-play forward who complements Harden/Mitchell without needing usage."
30. Dallas Mavericks: Meleek Thomas, Arkansas
Average mock draft pick: 29 (appeared in 5/10 mock drafts)
AI analysis: "Dallas adds a young shot-creator to develop behind its stars. ... Secondary ball-handler and scoring guard to ease offensive burden long-term."
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 19: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives around Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been here before. They were down 0-2 against the Detroit Pistons after two uninspiring performances on the road. Then, they rallied back to take the series after playing up to their skill level for four of the final five games.
Cleveland will need to do that again if they want to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals. However, coming back against the New York Knicks will be a much more difficult task.
The Cavs had a golden opportunity to take control of the series in Game 1, but couldn’t close out a 22-point advantage and lost in overtime. Game 2 didn’t feature the same kind of collapse, but once again a rough six-minute stretch is what cost them. New York scored 18 unanswered points in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.
Poor outside shooting has done the Cavs in throughout the series. They’ve connected on just 29.4% (25-85) of their triples this series, despite getting clean looks. If they’re going to fight their way back, this will need to change.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
Oklahoma City spent 82 games preparing for the uncomfortable and unexpected. Like the start of Game 3.
Uncomfortable like a physical Spurs defense forcing stops and steals, which became transition opportunities the other way. Unexpected, like the best stretch of ball movement the Spurs have had in the series. Then there was the expected, like a hyped Victor Wembanyama putting on a show.
In the blink of an eye, it was 15-0 San Antonio and the crowd was roaring.
Oklahoma City had prepared to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, to not lose its poise in the face of the unexpected. But more than that, the Thunder had prepared to use and trust their depth.
That preparation paid off, and on a Friday night in San Antonio showed the stark differences in the benches of these two teams — and why that depth has OKC up 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals.
In the wake of the early Spurs onslaught, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault turned to a lineup of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and four bench players — a pairing he rarely used during the season but one he trusted in a key moment in the playoffs.
"We're actually not a team that wants to find rotational stability in the regular season. We're trying to create variability, because that gives us some learnings and creates options for us," Daigneault said late in the regular season about his use of unconventional lineups. "It also puts guys in situations where they have to adapt to who they're on the floor with, which we think is good for their development as players and for the playoffs."
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson doesn't have the luxury of that depth, which has become an increasing issue in this series — especially when he has to rest Wembanyama.
Those two things came together on Friday night in San Antonio — Daigneault leaned into an unconventional lineups at the same time Wemby sat for his usual first rest of the game. The result was a 13-2 Thunder run, and it was suddenly the Spurs' fast lead and momentum had disappeared.
Daigneault trusted mid-season acquisition — Philadelphia fans would say "gift" — Jared McCain in those moments, and he went off for 24 points. “We talk about it a lot, in practice and throughout the whole playoffs: Be ready and stay ready,” McCain said, via the Associated Press. “Coaches have done a great job of that. ... We all are hoopers and we all know what to do out there, especially this team. It’s a very mature team."
The Depth Difference
The depth difference between these two teams was not new to Game 3 — Oklahoma City's bench had outscored the San Antonio bench by 66 through the first two games.
That was nothing compared to Game 3 — Oklahoma City got 76 points from its bench, 53 more than the Spurs. Jaylin Williams hit five 3-pointers on the way to a career playoff high of 18 points. Alex Caruso had 15 points with four 3-pointers, plus his usual disruptive defensive plays.
On the flip side, this stat: San Antonio is +21 in 125 minutes with Wembanyama on the court, and -38 in the 29 minutes he is off the court.
But it's not just Wemby that Johnson has had to lean so hard into, he is playing all his starters heavy minutes because he doesn't fully trust his bench. Gilgeous-Alexander has played the most minutes in this series (126), but the next four players on the list are all Spurs starters (Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie and Wembanyama), and Harper would have been on that list if Fox had not returned for Game 3 and played 31 minutes.
The Thunder's disruptive defense has thrown San Antonio's offense off its axis — Wembanyama is making plays, but after that the offense has been disconnected. While Johnson is searching for answers, he simply has fewer pieces on the chessboard. Experience matters in these moments, and the Spurs are gaining that experience the hard way over the last two games.
The Thunder have been gaining experience for these unexpected moments all season long. That's why they lead the series 2-1.
Victor Wembanyama was named defensive player of the year this season [Getty Images]
Victor Wembanyama said he must be "more of a team player" after the San Antonio Spurs lost 123-108 at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder in game three of the NBA Western Conference finals.
The Thunder recovered from falling 15-0 behind in the first three minutes to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Wembanyama, who top-scored for the Spurs with 24 points, said: "I feel like I have trouble making my team-mates better right now."
Devin Russell, with 20, was the only other Spurs player to score more than 15 points.
In the series opener Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points and make 20 rebounds in a play-off game as the Spurs won 122-115.
He finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds in game two, which the Spurs lost 122-113.
"My shooting splits aren't terrible," said 22-year-old Wembanyama.
"I need to facilitate better, rebound the ball better, push their defence a little bit further and see how much they need to help with my team-mates and feed them."
The Thunder scored 76 points off the bench at Frost Bank Center in game three, the most in a conference finals game since the 16-team play-off format was introduced in 1984.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's Most Valuable Player for two seasons in a row, scored 26 points and made 12 assists for the Thunder, while Jared McCain scored 24.
Game four takes place at the same venue on Sunday (01:00 BST, Monday).
The winners of the Western Conference finals will meet the New York Knicks or the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, starting on 4 June.
The Knicks lead 2-0 in the Eastern Conference finals before game three at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday (01:00 BST, Sunday).
Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18, first in the Western Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (62-20, second in the Western Conference)
San Antonio; Sunday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Spurs -1.5; over/under is 219.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Thunder lead series 2-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Thunder won the last matchup 123-108 on Saturday, led by 26 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 26.
The Spurs are 36-16 in conference games. San Antonio ranks fourth in the Western Conference at limiting opponent scoring, giving up just 111.5 points while holding opponents to 45.1% shooting.
The Thunder are 41-11 in conference play. Oklahoma City is fifth in the NBA scoring 119.0 points per game while shooting 48.4%.
The Spurs make 48.3% of their shots from the field this season, which is 4.6 percentage points higher than the Thunder have allowed to their opponents (43.7%). The Thunder average 7.5 more points per game (119.0) than the Spurs give up to opponents (111.5).
TOP PERFORMERS: Wembanyama is averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks for the Spurs. Stephon Castle is averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists over the last 10 games.
Gilgeous-Alexander is scoring 31.1 points per game and averaging 4.3 rebounds for the Thunder. Alex Caruso is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Spurs: 6-4, averaging 118.1 points, 48.6 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 7.9 steals and 8.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.2 points per game.
Thunder: 9-1, averaging 121.1 points, 39.7 rebounds, 26.7 assists, 10.4 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.6 points.
INJURIES: Spurs: David Jones Garcia: out for season (ankle).
Thunder: Jalen Williams: day to day (hamstring), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
SAN ANTONIO — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 26 points and 12 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder climbed out of a 15-point hole minutes into the game to beat the San Antonio Spurs 123-108 on Friday night and take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference finals.
Jared McCain had 24 points and Jaylin Williams added 18 for Oklahoma City. The Thunder were without Jalen Williams, who sat out with left hamstring soreness.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 26 points, drives past Carter Bryant during the third quarter of the Thunders’ 123-108 Game 3 win over the Spurs on May 22, 2026 in San Antonio. Getty Images
“We just went out there and competed,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They obviously jumped on us early. First game in their building, their crowd behind them, they were excited to play. We just wanted to make sure we competed from that point on. We obviously didn’t give our best effort to start that game, but can’t do nothing about it. It’s behind us. All we can do is focus on the next possession, and we did that.”
Victor Wembanyama had 24 points for San Antonio. Devin Vassell added 20 and De’Aaron Fox had 15 in his series debut.
The Thunder have won two straight after the Spurs’ double-overtime victory in Game 1. Game 4 is Sunday.
Fox (sprained right ankle) and Dylan Harper (right adductor soreness) were cleared to play 45 minutes prior to tipoff.
Fox’s return sparked a historic start.
The Spurs raced to a 15-0 lead, the longest run to open a game in the conference finals since the play-by-play era began in 1997.
Jared McCain goes up for a shot during the Thunder’s Game 3 win over the Spurs. NBAE via Getty Images
Fox opened the run by wrapping in a driving layup and Wembanyama followed by crossing over Isaiah Hartenstein to drill a 3-pointer. Vassell’s 3-pointer put the Spurs up 10-0, leading to an early timeout by Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.
“Other than the first 15 points, our defense was really tight,” Daigneault said. “We got back, settled down into the halfcourt. Our offense had something to do with that. We ran good offense tonight, despite the fact that they were amped up and ready to go, the Spurs were. It’s a discipline series. We did that. We couldn’t be reckless against them, they are too good with the ball, too well coached, too talented. So you’ve got to be able to do it with discipline. I thought we really were disciplined tonight.”
Isaiah Hartenstein broke the drought with a runner over Wembanyama, but the center was immediately greeted with thunderous boos after his physical play against the Spurs in Game 2.
Victor Wembanyama reacts in the second half of the Spurs’ Game 3 loss to the Thunder. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
The Thunder went on a 13-2 run when Wembanyama went to the bench and closed the first quarter trailing 31-26.
It was a pattern the Spurs could not overcome.
“It’s my first playoffs,” Wembanyama said. “It’s the first playoffs for many of us. Of course, there was going to be hard trials. It’s to be expected, but now we’re going to see what we’re made of.”
The series continued to be chippy with emotions boiling over early in the second half. Stephon Castle hit the court on back-to-back dunk attempts. The second resulted in a flagrant 1 foul against Ajay Mitchell and technical fouls on Mitchell and Vassell after the two exchanged words following the foul.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams extended Oklahoma City’s first lead to 35-31.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 22: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The fiesta party lasted just five minutes inside the Frost Bank Center on Friday night. For the few minutes of Game 3, it felt like the San Antonio Spurs were going to take full control of the Western Conference Finals. Then, the offense vanished just as quickly as it appeared.
After racing out to a 19-4 lead, the Spurs went ice cold for the next three quarters as the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied for the 123-108 victory to retake home court advantage and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
For the Spurs, it is a loss that will likely linger long past the final buzzer. Not because the Spurs looked overwhelmed at times, but rather more because they looked more than capable of delivering a big knockout blow before things went south.
“We were really sharp to start the game, and you know, obviously didn’t sustain it, and that wasn’t sustainable how we started, but I thought we played very fast, and I think that’s something that tapered off as the game went along,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said after the Game 3 loss.
Victor Wembanayama finished with 26 points, but he was mostly held outside of the paint for the most part and had just four rebounds. Devin Vassell was easily the best player on the court Friday night for the Spurs, scoring 20 points while adding four steals and seven rebounds. De’Aaron Fox returned (then left and returned again) to the lineup, scoring 15 points in series debut.
After San Antonio’s explosive start, Oklahoma City took control and never let it go again. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled from the floor, shooting 35 percent, but still had 26 points thanks to hitting all 12 of his free throws. The issue for San Antonio in this series has been the OKC bench, and it was again on Friday.
Jared McCain exploded for 24 points off the bench while Jaylin Williams added 18 points as the Thunder’s second unit outscored San Antonio’s bench 76-23 for the game. Through three games this series, Oklahoma City’s bench has outscored the Spurs’ bench 183-64. That figure has slowly altered this series in the Thunder’s favor.
San Antonio took a five-point lead into the second quarter, and that’s where their offense went dry. The ball movement, attacking the rim, and timely shot making disappeared as Oklahoma City tightened up on defense and turned the Spurs’ missed shots into transition points. By the third quarter, the Thunder looked to be in full control.
Every time the Spurs pushed, the Thunder had a response. A McCain three, a big shot from Gilgeous-Alexander, or a Jaylin Williams corner bucket. The roar of the crowd faded as Oklahoma City turned a 15-point deficit into a 15-point lead of its own. San Antonio never got close enough in the final 12 minutes to make a game of it.
The loss spoiled Fox’s return, who re-injured his ankle in the third quarter, but returned to the game like a true warrior to try and help his team win. Dylan Harper was clearly feeling the effects of his adductor injury, scoring just six points on 28 percent shooting. The Spurs had hoped that having their team back at full strength would solve the turnover woes that plagued them in the first two games, but instead, it was their offense that suffered.
“I’m sure they’re beat up, they’re giving us everything they got, so it’s commendable, just the fight that they have,” Johnson said of Fox and Harper playing through injuries.
Now with Game 4 looming in less than 48 hours, the pressure falls squarely on the Spurs as they face a 2-1 series deficit.
“Each and every one of us got to be better, so yeah, I think it’s just as a team, as an organization, there’s a lot of new experiences, we’re just gonna have to find the answers,” Wembanyama said.
After stealing Game 1 on the road and briefly taking momentum, San Antonio now finds themselves searching for answers to solve a Thunder team whose depth continues to tilt the matchup.
Game Notes
Stephon Castle had just one turnover after combining for 20 in the first two games of the series. The new problem? He shot just 1-of-8 on Friday, finishing with 14 points.
Keldon Johnson, Harper and Castle combined to shoot 4-for-20 in the game. That’s not a stat that will win you games in the regular season, let alone a playoff game against the defending champions.
Shoutout to the fans at the Frost Bank Center tonight, you all were so loud. Loved the atmosphere.
San Antonio shot 31 percent from three-point range compared to 44 percent for OKC.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder managed to get the best of Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, securing a 123-108 victory at the Frost Bank Center on Friday, May 22.
As a result of the road win, the Thunder will take a 2-1 lead into Game 4 of the series.
The Thunder managed to overcome a fast start by the Spurs, who took a 15-0 lead in the first quarter. It was San Antonio’s largest lead of the game.
“I thought we played very fast, but we knew it wasn’t sustainable,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “I thought we could’ve done a better job of crashing the glass.”
Isaiah Hartenstein managed to get the Thunder on the scoreboard with an 11-foot floating jumper, off an assist from Luguentz Dort, with 8:06 left in the opening quarter.
The Thunder managed to close the gap, taking the lead for the first time with 10:56 left in the second quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander made a 27-foot 3-pointer to take the 32-31 lead.
“We just wanted to compete,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We just have to compete and get back into it and give ourselves a chance.”
Thunder bench sets franchise record
The Thunder’s reserves played a key role in the Game 3 win, scoring 76 of the team’s 123 total points.
The 76 points off the bench set a new franchise playoff record.
Jared McCain produced 24 points and four rebounds in 27 minutes of play.
“They do a great job of being ready,” Gilgeous-Alexander said on Peacock’s postgame show.
Jaylin Williams added 18 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench. He went 5-for-7 from the field, including 5-for-6 from the 3-point line.
De'Aaron Fox returns for Spurs
De’Aaron Fox made his return to the starting lineup on Friday for the Spurs. He had missed the first two games of the series with an ankle sprain. He shot 7-of-14 from the field for 15 points. He was 1-for-6 from long range. Fox flirted with a potential triple-double, finishing the game with seven rebounds and six assists.
OG Anunoby goes up for the rebound during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 21, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
CLEVELAND — For the second straight year, and the third time in his career, OG Anunoby was recognized as one of the premier defensive players in the NBA.
The stalwart two-way wing was selected to the NBA’s all-defensive second team by a panel of 100 voters, it was announced Friday night.
OG Anunoby goes up for the rebound during the Knicks’ Game 2 win over the Cavaliers at the Garden. NBAE via Getty Images
Anunoby has now made the second team three different times. Knicks coach Mike Brown and teammate Karl-Anthony Towns had said in recent weeks that Anunoby deserved to be a first-team selection.
“His versatility is just off the charts and you can do a lot of things with your defense because of him,” Brown said. “In my opinion, he deserves first-team all-defense this year — and hopefully the powers that be will see it that way, too.”
That didn’t happen.
The first team selections were Rudy Gobert of the Timberwolves, Chet Holmgren of the Thunder, Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs, Derrick White of the Celtics and Ausar Thompson of the Pistons. Anunoby received 11 first-team votes.
Kelly Oubre Jr. attempts to finish at the rim against OG Anunoby. Getty Images
The Knicks are two wins away from their first NBA Finals’ appearance in 27 years, and head to Cleveland with a chance to bury the Cavaliers.
But Mike Brown is concerned about one thing, the officiating.
“I don’t know what to do about the free-throw line. It was 22-6 in the second half,” the Knicks’ coach said after his team’s comfortable Game 2 victory. “We’ll go back and watch the film, and maybe we were fouling, but that’s a pretty big discrepancy when you’re talking about 22-to-6 in free throws.”
“Maybe we were fouling and they weren’t, I don’t know.”
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Overall, the Cavaliers attempted 18 more free throws, 32 to 14, than the Knicks in Game 2. In the series opener, the Knicks did get to the line more, 32 to 23.
The Cavaliers, it should be noted, rank second of the 16 teams to qualify for the playoffs in terms of free throws attempted at 28.8. Only the Nuggets (30.2) got to the line more.
Donovan Mitchell insisted he is healthy after Game 2, though his coach, Kenny Atkinson, felt he was “trying to work through it — probably some stiffness” in the first half of the Cavaliers’ loss.
“But I asked him if he wanted to come out in the fourth quarter and he’s like, ‘I’m fine,’ so I think he’s fine,” Atkinson said.
Asked on Thursday about his health, Mitchell said: “I’m great. Great. Great.”
The Knicks have held the opposition under 100 points six times in the playoffs. Of the teams remaining, the Spurs have done that five times and the Cavaliers and Thunder twice apiece.
According to the team, Knicks watch parties have raised more than $350,000 for Garden of Dreams, a charity for local youth in need. The Knicks will host another watch party at the Garden for Game 3 on Saturday night. Tickets are $10.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Robert McCray V #18 drives to the basket during the game during the 2026 G League Combine on May 10, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
McCray , Conwell and Hopkins all played at least four years of college. McCray was All-ACC Third Team this past season, Conwell was Second Team All-ACC this past season and Hopkins was Second-Team All-Big East.
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 10: Bryce Hopkins #36 dribbles the ball during the game during the 2026 G League Combine on May 10, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With limited draft assets after trading for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal back in 2023, Phoenix is limited with its draft assets and traded away the pick they had in the first round of the 2026 draft back at the 2025 trade deadline to deal Jusuf Nurkić to the Charlotte Hornets.
Despite the limited future draft picks and young players the Suns have, reports suggest that Phoenix could look to move into the first round. Phoenix traded into the first round last season and selected Khaman Maluach with the 10th overall pick after trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets last offseason.
Whether they stay at 47 or acquire another draft pick, Phoenix is doing their due-diligence on projected second rounders. The First Round of the NBA Draft is on Tuesday June 23rd with the Second Round on the 24th.
May 22, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) in the second half during game three of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Things felt great coming into the game: the Spurs had their full roster available, they did what they needed to do in OKC by stealing a win, and they had appeared a healthy guard trio away from a big win. While they got their wish in that regard, outside of an insanely hot start in which they quickly got ahead 19-4, the Spurs’ offensive rhythm and bench production was nonexistent, and once they were behind by double digits early in the second half, they couldn’t do enough to make any kind of comeback attempt, losing Game 3 108-123 and handing homecourt advantage back to the Thunder.
Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with a steady but quiet 26 points while only grabbing 4 rebounds, and Devin Vassell quietly continued to be their most steady player in this series with 20 points on 50% shooting, including 3-6 form three. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 26 points on an inefficient 6-17 shooting but 12-12 from the line, and Jared McCain gave them 24 off the bench.
Observations
The Spurs got two big announcements about an hour before tip-off: that Victor Wembanyama made the All-Defensive First Team, and more importantly, that De’Aaron Fox (ankle) and Dylan Harper (adductor) were cleared to play — in Fox’s case, for the first time this series. On the other side, the Thunder got two players on the All-Defensive Teams in Chet Holmgren (1st) and Cason Wallace (2nd), but Jalen Williams was ruled out after he left Game 2 having aggravated the same hamstring that kept him out of the first two rounds.
The Spurs were red hot right out of the gate in front of their fired up home crowd, starting on a 10-0 run in the first two minutes. It was kicked off by Fox looking like himself and driving by Lu Dort for a lay-up, Wemby hitting a step-back three over nemesis Isaiah Hartenstein, and Devin Vassell hitting a transition three off a defensive rebound. It stretched to 15-0 after a Thunder timeout before a Hartenstein floater got them their first points. The Spurs just missed the record for a run to start the game in the play-by-play era, which is a 16-0 run.
But of course, the instant Wemby (and Fox) sat, the Thunder went on a 15-5 run in no small part thanks to Alex Caruso and Jaylin Williams (the other JWill) getting hot from three, and a 19-4 lead was quickly cut to five. Considering how good the Spurs bench has been all season, it’s bizarre how ineffective they’ve been in this series. Luke Kornet hasn’t been nearly as effective protecting the rim, and scoring has been inconsistent all around.
The lead was gone after the Thunder opened the second quarter hitting three straight threes as part of an 11-0 run that spanned both quarters before the Spurs hit a couple to briefly get their offense going again. The Thunder went on another 9-0 after the Spurs had taken a 45-43 lead again while Wemby — who admittedly was cold in the quarter — sat, and then they went on a 6-0 run to take 58-51 halftime lead. After that 15-0 start, the Spurs only hit 11 shots the rest of the half, with little ball movement and seemingly no one willing to step up.
The Spurs were still slow out of halftime with the Thunder stretching the lead to double digits. Then, Ajay Mitchell committed a flagrant foul on Castle as he drove to the hoop off a steal. Vassell came to his defense and shoved Mitchell, he pushed back, and both to receive technicals. Vassell (or “Vastle”, as the refs continue to call him) is usually pretty chill, so it was good to see someone step up and try to light a fire under the team after they had been so sluggish ever since that 19-4 start to the game.
The turnovers were down some (15 on the night) with Castle no longer on ball-handling duties, so he only had one, but that also diminished his effectiveness on offense. He was just 1-8 from the field but at least seemed to be trying by driving and drawing free throws, where he was 11-14 from the line.
Fox re-aggravated his ankle twice late in the third quarter before limping off and looking dejected on the bench, although he gave it another go in the fourth quarter. While he was the best of the three guards with 15 points and 6 assists on 7-14 shooting, Harper and Castle were very limited in their offensive contributions, with a combined 20 points on 3-15 shooting. Coming in, it seemed like a boost to have all three guards again, but instead no offense was being run: no pick and rolls, no set plays, seemingly just everyone taking turns playing iso-ball, with no one being effective.
The Spurs remained between 8-15 points behind throughout most of the second half largely by getting to the line, but similar to the second half of game 2, they could never find enough offensive rhythm or get enough consecutive stops (or stop committing dumb fouls) to go on any kind of game-changing run.
The Spurs are going to have to find some production from their bench if they want to get back in this series. The second unit was vastly outscored for the third game in a row, this time 76-23. While no one stepped up for the Spurs, the Thunder got a combed 57 points from Caruso, JWill and McCain. While none of the starters were great in this one (outside of maybe Vassell, Wemby was merely solid), it was the bench minutes where the Spurs ultimately got behind and couldn’t climb back out.
This isn't a sight you wanted to see if you're a Spurs fan: De'Aaron Fox hobbled to the bench in clear pain during the third quarter of Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The San Antonio All-Star was back in the lineup after missing the first two games of the Western Conference finals as he dealt with right ankle soreness. But he got his right leg rolled on by Lu Dort as the two battled for a loose ball, and Fox was forced to his hands and knees.
He remained in the backcourt with his team on offense until a stoppage after the ball came back the other way, and then went directly to the bench with a considerable limp.
Lu Dort dives to the ball and slightly hits De'Aaron Fox, who is limping, and heads to the bench briefly after (with replays) pic.twitter.com/RywVrEHJDC
In some good news for the Spurs, Fox did find his way back to the court during the fourth quarter.
Before Game 2, which Fox missed, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson had referred to his early "questionable" designation as being "Pretty (much) status quo moving forward, I believe."
"Regardless of if he plays the games or not, this will be just kind of the world we live in," Johnson had said.
Lu Dort dives for the ball and took out De’Aaron Fox…
