DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 24: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a move to the basket during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been nearly 16 months since the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, but the two sides could find themselves making another deal this offseason.
ESPN contributor Zach Kram suggests the trade that would send center Daniel Gafford to the Lakers for Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, and the No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
“This deal should be a no-brainer for the Lakers, as they’d address their glaring hole at the center position — which would still exist even if Deandre Ayton exercised his option for next season — with a player who’s a proven fit next to Doncic. Gafford would certainly help the Lakers more next season than any rookie they could draft with the No. 25 pick,” Kram wrote.
“On the other side, Dallas lost a 2028 pick swap when it acquired Gafford at the 2024 trade deadline, but it could recoup some of that value and add another young player here. The Mavericks also would clear future cap space, with Gafford signed for more money and years (through the 2028-29 season) than Vanderbilt.”
Gafford took a step back this season with the Mavericks, averaging 9.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. That was slightly below his 12.3 points per game during the 2024-25 campaign. Gafford’s 3-year extension is about to go into effect, and the Mavs will have to pay him $54 million over the next three seasons, with Dereck Lively II also on the roster.
This is a big season coming up for Lively in terms of whether he will be a long-term part of the Mavs, so the team needs to get the best look on what he can do as long as he is healthy.
With all of the change surrounding the Mavs at the moment, moving on from Gafford could be in the cards as the team looks to get younger around Cooper Flagg.
MM community, what do you make of the trade suggestion? Chime off in the comments section below.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 16: The sneakers worn by Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 16, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Adam Silver's anti-tanking quest — a dramatic reaction to this year's unique situation with an especially deep draft — comes to a head this week when the NBA owners are scheduled to meet and vote on that latest lottery reform proposal.
That proposal is a modified version of the "3-2-1" proposal put forward last month (named after the number of ping-pong balls a team could get). A number of league front offices have serious concerns about what this will mean in terms of trading draft picks and for the value of picks already traded. This new proposal dramatically flattens the odds of the lottery and expands it to 16 teams — that changes the value of picks that could be traded or picks that already have been. From Mike Vorkunov at The Athletic.
Team executives have predicted that first-round picks would be harder to trade under the new rules, as the 3-2-1 format gives teams higher up in the standings a better chance to land not just a high draft choice but the No. 1 pick...
Earlier this month at the draft combine, some team executives bemoaned that these changes are coming after those picks have been dealt. A majority of the league would be impacted by these after-the-fact changes. In 2027, 14 teams have already traded away control of their first-round picks. In 2028 and 2029 each, only 12 teams control their own first-round picks without any encumbrances, swaps or as part of elaborate waterfall conveyances.
The NBA offseason loves the attention that offseason blockbuster trades generate, but making first-round picks less likely to be traded means it’s harder to put together a deal for someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The value of all those already traded picks and swaps changes under this new "3-2-1" system, which is the latest, further flattening the odds that seems to be the league's only solution to tanking.
As a reminder, here is how the new system would break down:
• Three teams with the worst records: They fall into a poorly-named "relegation zone" and be penalized for their poor performance by only getting two lottery balls, giving them a a 5.4% chance at the No. 1 pick, and they could fall all the way to 12th in the lottery. • Teams with the 4-10 worst records: They get three lottery balls and an 8.1% chance at the No. 1 pick. • Teams that finish as the No. 9 and 10 seeds in each conference will each get two lottery balls and a 5.4% chance at the No. 1 pick. (If this had been in place this season, Golden State, the LA Clippers, Miami and Charlotte would have had the same odds at getting the No. 1 pick as Washington, Utah and Sacramento.) • Teams that lose the 7-8 play-in for each conference get one lottery ball, and with it a 2.7% chance of landing the No. 1 pick (this season that would have been Orlando and Phoenix).
The 3-2-1 proposal also grants Commissioner Adam Silver dramatically expanded, unchecked authority to punish teams he perceives as tanking. Again from The Athletic.
"He would be able to fine a team up to $10 million, force them to forfeit or transfer draft picks, reduce lottery odds, change draft positions or suspend team officials, according to league sources."
The NBA owners, so scared of the perception of tanking — even though fans of teams in places like Utah and Washington were good with it for this season to chase the talent they need to win — that they are expected to pass it.
This new system moves the NBA another step away from the very point of having a draft in the first place — to get the worst teams the best incoming players to help balance the talent around the league. For small or mid-market teams, the NBA Draft remains the best — and for some, the only — way to acquire the talent needed to win. Those teams also could trade draft picks to help bring in winning talent, but now those picks' values have changed, and trading them may no longer make sense.
In the league's attempt to refine the system over the past decades, they've moved away from that core idea of helping the struggling teams, and now teams that lose because they just don't have the needed talent are likely to be bad longer. And if the NBA is concerned about fan bases tuning out, having them struggle for years on end with little hope of getting quality players is a good way to do it.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 24: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs hits a buzzer beater three point shot during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The stakes were high for the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four. At risk of going down 3-1, the Spurs needed to respond to a disappointing loss in Game Three. They followed up the loss with a blowout 103-83 win to tie the Western Conference Finals at 2-2.
It was one of the Spurs’ best defensive performances of the playoffs. They held the Oklahoma City Thunder to 33% shooting from the field and 18% shooting from three. They forced 20 turnovers in the win. Victor Wembanyama spearheaded the win with a dominant two-way performance. He will lead our player grades for Game Four.
As a quick reminder, player grades are based on each player’s on-court performance, going beyond just the stat sheet. A “B” grade represents the average performance for an individual. If a player logs fewer than 5 minutes or plays only in garbage time, their grade will be incomplete.
San Antonio needed a herculean effort from Wembanyama, and they got one. He came out swinging, contesting shots around the rim and scoring at the basket over tough defense. Wemby did everything to try to get his offense going, even throwing the ball off the backboard to himself multiple times in an attempt to create an easier shot.
His biggest moment came right before halftime, when he waved off multiple San Antonio guards to heave a half-court buzzer beater. Was this shot purely luck or a manifestation of his basketball greatness? I’ll leave that up to you. Either way, it was another dominant performance in a memorable playoff run.
Fox is a tough grade. On one hand, he isn’t shooting the ball well enough. His scoring impact has been significantly limited since his ankle injury. On the other hand, Fox has been doing everything else he needs to do to help the Spurs win. He’s competed defensively, even in tough matchups like when he’s switched onto Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In Game Four, he had 10 rebounds and 5 assists without any turnovers. San Antonio will need his scoring to come around eventually. Until then, having the veteran guard chip in everywhere else on the court will be enough to help them win.
Castle was excellent in the pick-and-roll in Game Four. He was patient, didn’t force it, and made some great reads. He threw lobs to Wembanyama and finished at the rim. He hit a tough contested three-pointer as the Spurs made their run. He didn’t have the type of offensive game that would blow you away, but he played a smart, controlled game. He did a much better job guarding Gilgeous-Alexander. He was disciplined and fought through every screen to keep up with him in the half-court.
It feels like Castle’s performance from here on out will be a major factor that decides the series. With the Spurs being +162 underdogs in Game Five on FanDuel, Castle will need to once again play well on both ends to upset the Thunder.
Champagnie isn’t hitting shots right now, which is a huge problem for the Spurs’ offense. Even open looks aren’t falling at the moment. He was much better defensively in Game Four, but his impact on that end doesn’t make up for his lack of offense on the other end. This series is going to get even tighter from here. Wasting good possessions by missing wide-open threes could sink the Spurs in the long run.
Vasell has arguably been one of the Spurs’ best players in this series. He continues to hit timely shots, and his defense has been incredible. His block on Jared McCain under the basket was one of the best defensive plays of the game. Vassell is locked in on both ends and has established himself as an important piece for the Spurs’ championship hopes.
Harper was great defensively in Game Four. It wasn’t a loud performance by any means, but when he was tasked with guarding Gilgeous-Alexander, he held his own. He made some great contests on shooters as well. His motor was running on high on that end, despite struggling through an injury. Speaking of that injury, Harper continued to struggle getting into the paint, as he clearly has lost some power in his lower half. Hopefully, more rest will get him ready for Game Five.
Johnson brought energy off the bench, but tried to do way too much offensively. He got tunnel vision and made some bad mistakes on his drives. Johnson could afford to let some things come to him within the offensive flow. Right now, what he is doing isn’t working.
The nuns have blessed Kornet, and perhaps the Spurs for the rest of the series. Call it divine intervention or just improved play from Kornet. He was solid protecting the paint when Wembanyama needed a rest. He did a lot of good work tapping the ball to other players on the boards to create extra opportunities. It’s still hard for the Spurs to stay afloat when he is in the game, but perhaps Game Four was a sign of a turnaround for San Antonio’s backup big man.
Barnes didn’t hit shots off the bench, but he brought a lot of energy and toughness to the game. He hustled after every offensive rebound and got to the free-throw line by playing physical offense. In the Game Three player grades post, we talked about Barnes needing a spot in the rotation. He may have earned himself more minutes moving forward.
Bryant got an earful from Mitch Johnson after making a few too many mistakes late in the game. He hasn’t been able to defend without fouling and is forcing things offensively. It’s hard to play him right now with the stakes being so high. It’s hard not to feel bad for Bryant, who is genuinely trying to make a positive impact with his energy and athleticism. Right now, it’s just not being channeled in a way that will lead to winning playoff games.
There is no evidence he actually will be building rockets, although apparently his aerospace skills do translate to basketball.
The scientist, Rohan Ramadas, has been hired to serve as an assistant general manager under Lakers president and general manager Rob Pelinka.
Ramadas worked last as vice president of strategy and operations for the New Orleans Pelicans.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he spent 12 years with The Aerospace Corporation.
ESPN quoted a Pelicans source as saying of Ramadas, "He's a literal rocket scientist."
In September 2024, Ramadas joined the Pelicans as Senior Director of Analytics and Innovation, according to his LinkedIn profile, which indicates he was promoted to the strategy and operations position a year ago.
With the Pelicans, Ramadas implemented AI and coded models to aid the front office, according to ESPN, which reported he will be focused on similar responsibilities for the Lakers that he had with the Pelicans.
The Lakers are expected to hire another assistant general manager, with the staff expanding a year after Mark Walter, majority owner of the Dodgers, bought the Lakers for $10 billion. And maybe it really does take a rocket scientist for the franchise to win its first NBA title since 2020 and 18th overall.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 11: An overall view of the arena court before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers during Round Two Game Four on May 11, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers look to have made their first of two assistant general manager hires.
On Monday morning, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Lakers had hired Rohan Ramadas. Previously, Ramadas served as the Pelicans’ vice president of strategy and operations.
The Los Angeles Lakers are hiring former New Orleans Pelicans vice president of strategy and operations Rohan Ramadas as an assistant general manager under president Rob Pelinka, sources tell me and @mcten. The Lakers have interviewed candidates to bolster their front office.
Dave McMenamin of ESPN provided a bit more insight into Ramadas’ past prior to even joining the Pelicans in an article on Monday as well.
After graduating from the University of Southern California, Ramadas spent more than a decade with the Aerospace Corporation before his first opportunity in the NBA with New Orleans.
“He’s a literal rocket scientist,” a Pelicans source told ESPN.
While working for the Pelicans, Ramadas implemented AI and coded models to aid the front office, the source told ESPN.
Pelinka gave some insight into the roles of two general managers during his exit interview. One position was going to be focused on “pro scouting, draft scouting, player development,” while the other was going to be “cap, analytics and data.” Given the little we know about Ramadas from McMenamin’s article and his previous job title, this definitely looks to be the latter of the two roles.
While it shouldn’t be surprising given his roles, there isn’t a lot out there about Ramadas during his time with the Pelicans. All that’s really been reported or released is that he was elevated to the role of Senior Director of Analytics and Innovation with New Orleans in 2024.
Ramadas enters his eighth season with New Orleans, his first full-time season after spending seven years as an analytics consultant. Prior to working with the Pelicans, Ramadas was a draft analyst with the Miami Heat in 2016-17. Ramadas has spent the past twelve years supporting the Aerospace Corporation, U.S. Space Force, and NASA as a rocket guidance, navigation, control, and mission design engineer. A native of Cupertino, CA, Ramadas holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in astronautical engineering from the University of Southern California.
However much or little is known about Ramadas, his hiring is another sign of the makeover the front office is going to undergo this summer. Importantly, it’s an outside voice coming in, which is a rarity in this front office.
It’s a sign of what is to come with the Lakers and should lead to excitement about the future.
The New York Knicks have continued their dominance in the Eastern Conference Finals, jumping out to a 3-0 series lead.
I expect New York to rely on a Brunson/KAT combo to finish off Cleveland in Game 4, and my best Knicks vs. Cavaliers parlay for tonight's matchup leans directly into that tandem.
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Under Tom Thibodeau, it always felt like the New York Knicks would mess around in potential closeout games and let teams back into a series.
That hasn’t been their identity under Mike Brown during these NBA Playoffs.
The Knicks closed out the Atlanta Hawks by 51 points and the Philadelphia 76ers by 30 points in elimination games — considering the Cleveland Cavaliers' backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden can’t consistently defend, there’s nothing tactically that suggests Cleveland won’t suffer the same fate as the Hawks and Sixers.
SGP leg no. 2: Karl-Anthony Towns 20+ points
The Cavs are in full desperation mode, trailing 3-0 and constantly searching for defensive answers. So far, nothing has worked. Jalen Brunson has either exploded as a scorer or carved them up as a playmaker, including a 14-assist performance earlier in the series. That’s why I think Karl-Anthony Towns is positioned to benefit most from Cleveland’s likely adjustments in Game 4. The Cavaliers can’t aggressively help off the wings in the Brunson-Towns two-man game, as OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges have consistently punished rotating defenses with catch-and-shoot opportunities created by Brunson. That should push Cleveland toward a more aggressive drop coverage with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, forcing them to concede more open perimeter looks to Towns.
SGP leg no. 3: Jalen Brunson 7+ assists
The Brunson assist prop in the SGP is meant to work directly in tandem with the KAT points prop because I think we’ll see a higher-than-usual number of potential assists from Brunson to Towns. I believe the Cavaliers will use their bigs in a deep drop coverage to slow down Brunson, while limiting the amount of help coming from the wings. If that’s the case, it will be on Brunson to find Towns as an open shooter, and I'd be shocked if Towns clears 20-plus points without multiple baskets coming directly off passes from Brunson.
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May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dunks in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Jalen Duren was announced as a member of the All-NBA Third Team last night. He was a Top-15 player this season (of those who qualified) after he produced 19.5 PTS, 10.5 REB, and 2.0 AST while shooting 65% from the field and 75% from the line.
Duren’s Production
For a way to compare Jalen’s output with other big men in the NBA, I’m going to set a filter of playing at least 40 games this season.
According to the NBA Stats website, Duren ranked 8th in scoring per game among all centers, just behind Alperen Sengun (20.4), Bam Adebayo (20.1), and Karl-Anthony Towns (20.1). I’ll note of those in the Top 11 in scoring, Duren averaged the lowest number of field goal attempts per game as well.
Duren ranked 7th in rebounding per game among all centers behind Rudy Gobert (11.5) and Ivica Zubac (10.6) while being just ahead of Jusuf Nurkic (10.4). He ranked 4th in offensive rebounding (3.8 per game) behind Donovan Clingan (4.5), Mitchell Robinson (4.2), and Rudy Gobert (3.9).
His 6.1 free throw attempts per game was 3rd among qualifying centers behind J0kic’s 7.4 and Wemby’s 7.0. Duren was just ahead of Bam’s 5.8 attempts per game. Jalen’s 65% field goal percentage ranked 12th.
To sum that up: Jalen Duren had a fantastic regular season. And yet, what does he deserve to get paid?
All-NBA Money
The wrinkle in all of this is that JD is now eligible to sign a five-year max with the Pistons worth roughly $287 million. Prior to making the All-NBA Third Team, his five-year max was scheduled to be $239 million. The most that any other team can offer him during free agency is a four-year max worth $177 million.
Now that we know where Duren’s production falls and how much money he can be offered this summer, let’s see how much the top centers are currently being paid:
Name
Average Annual Value
Total Contract
Joel Embiid
$62,624,612
3yr/$188m
Anthony Davis
$58,456,566
3yr/$175m
Nikola Jokic
$55,224,526
5yr/$276m
Karl-Anthony Towns
$55,110,496
4yr/$220m
Bam Adebayo
$53,460,000
3yr/$160m
Chet Holmgren
$47,850,000
5yr/$239m
Alperen Sengun
$37,000,000
5yr/$185m
Rudy Gobert
$36,500,000
3yr/$110m
Jarrett Allen
$30,240,000
3yr/$91m
Isaiah Hartenstein
$29,000,000
3yr/$87m
That’s a lot of cash.
To me, there’s no doubt that Jalen Duren is a top-10 center in the league. If that’s the case, you have to pay him like one. Given where he is at in his career, he should fall in the bottom-five of the above list – but, where?
The Offer
Chet Holmgren’s contract is the max that Duren could’ve received from Detroit prior to making an All-NBA team. To me, even a five-year deal worth $200 million seems like too much for Duren, but I wouldn’t be surprised if his agent starts the negotiations by asking for the new max of $287 million. At $57.4 million per year, he’d be the third most expensive center in the league – no thanks! Even at $200 million, he’s still making $40 million per year, more than Sengun or Gobert.
Out of that bottom-five of the above list, there aren’t many that outproduced Duren. Only Sengun outscored him, only Gobert outrebounded him, only Gobert shot better from the field, and only Holmgren shot better from the line. There are arguments to be made that he deserves to be above those guys on the list.
Yet, I can’t help but notice that the Top 7 guys can all stretch the floor. The jury may still be out on Sengun and Anthony Davis’ stretch big days may be over, but it sure seems like you need to be an offensive weapon to make $40m+ as a big man.
So, to conclude, I’d be extremely happy to get JD at Jarrett Allen’s value with a five-year $150 million contract. Since I believe JD wants at least $200m, I’d be willing to meet in the middle and give Duren a five-year $175 million deal. At $35 million per year, he’d settle in just behind Sengun and Gobert as the 9th highest paid center in the league. I feel comfortable with JD at that number.
Anything higher and I start to get uncomfortable about Detroit’s roster flexibility moving forward. The teams that will have the most cap space this summer that are most likely to offer Duren a 4-year $177 million max are the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and Brooklyn Nets. It may be worth letting Duren find a contract that Detroit can match if they don’t want to outbid themselves, but if you want to think of trade possibilities in the event that Langdon doesn’t want to overpay for Duren, I’d start with looking at those three teams.
What contract do you feel comfortable giving Jalen Duren, DBB?
These ladies are apparently trying to prove Charles Barkley wrong about San Antonio women.
A pair of Spurs fans went viral for wearing low-cut tops while sitting in the front row behind the San Antonio bench during Game 3, and the duo returned Sunday for Game 4 at Frost Bank Arena.
The NBA broadcast captured the pair while showing Spurs coach Mitch Johnson on Friday, with one wearing a revealing violet shirt and the other wearing a tight-fitting orange top.
The two made it back to the arena for Sunday’s Game 4, a 103-82 Spurs win, and their front-row seats again landed them on the broadcast during a shot of Johnson.
Both wore rather revealing tops once again, which, as expected, had the internet buzzing.
The fan who goes by @bluebeari3 posted plenty of behind-the-scenes content over the past few days, including selfies of them in the stands and their outfit reveal before Sunday’s game.
The Spurs fans posing for Tiktok. @ yourbluebeari3/TikTok
She captioned a TikTok video Sunday that featured photos of their Friday outfits: “Cuties in Fiesta colors.”
The two garnering such attention in San Antonio elicits callbacks to Barkley’s famous beef with women of San Antonio dating back to his Hall of Fame career.
These fans are guaranteed at least one more game in San Antonio on Thursday for Game 6 with the Spurs and Thunder tied at 2-2 in the Western Conference finals.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 10: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at FedExForum on April 10, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves are sitting on the couch for the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2023 and it’s a feeling they don’t want to have again next May.
The Wolves will look for ways to improve their roster throughout the offseason, especially on the trade market. ESPN senior writer Andre Snellings suggested a trade that would send Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant to the Wolves for Julius Randle, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Joan Beringer.
“Morant has had difficulties remaining available in recent years due to a combination of injuries and off-court issues, but he still has the talent that made him one of the more exciting young guards in the league. Edwards and Morant, on paper, would form one of the most dynamic and explosive backcourts in the NBA. And even after trading away Randle, the Wolves would still have a strong frontcourt with an elite defense built around Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels. This could be the nucleus for a championship-level team,” Snellings wrote.
Morant, who turns 27 in August, is viewed as one of the more polarizing players on the trade block this offseason. The former No. 2 overall pick was smothered in trade rumors before the deadline, especially after the Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, signalling a rebuild for the franchise.
Morant would fit a Wolves team in need of some point guard help and he would create a dangerous backcourt pairing with Edwards. While the depth the team would lose could be costly, the Wolves have to make a trade in order to gain something in return to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs for the top spots in the Western Conference.
Canis Hoopus community, what do you make of this trade? Would you swap Randle for Morant? Chime off in the comments section below.
The New York Knicks will try to complete a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. With one more victory, the Knicks will reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The New York Knicks are favored with a -141 moneyline compared to the Cleveland Cavaliers' +119. The over/under is set at 217.5.
How to watch New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Moneyline: Cleveland Cavaliers +119 (43.8%) / New York Knicks -141 (56.2%)
Over/Under: 217.5
Series schedule, results
Game 1: Knicks 115, Cavaliers 104 (OT) Game 2:Knicks 109, Cavaliers 93 Game 3:Knicks 121, Cavaliers 108 Game 4: New York at Cleveland (Monday May 25, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN) Game 5: Cleveland at New York (Wednesday May 27, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)* Game 6: New York at Cleveland (Friday May 29, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)* Game 7: Cleveland at New York (Sunday May 31, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)*
It’s been quite a whirlwind few months for Lakers star Luka Doncic.
Apart from all of the on-court issues surrounding his grade 2 hamstring strain that saw him miss the entire postseason, the biggest drama in Doncic’s life was the split from longtime fiancee Anamarie Goltes.
Luka Doncic and his ex-fiancee Anamarie Goltes are tied up in a custody battle over the two daughters the couple share. Instagram/@anamariagoltes
The bombshell breakup came as Goltes — a model and influencer — filed a petition in California seeking child support and attorney fees, according to a report from TMZ.
Their first daughter, Gabriela was born November 2023 in the United States while Doncic was still playing for the Dallas Mavericks. Their second daughter, Olivia, was born last December in Slovenia.
“I love my daughters more than anything, and they will always come first in my life,” Doncic wrote in a statement. “As I continue working toward joint custody of my daughters, I have been forced to make a difficult decision between traveling and playing for the Slovenian national team and being with my daughters this summer. Unfortunately, it has been made extremely difficult for me to see them over the past eight months.”
Doncic finished fourth in the voting for league MVP, which Thunder star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won for the second consecutive season. Getty Images
It appears Doncic is keeping good on his word.
Giving fans a rare glimpse inside his personal life, Doncic shared two photos on his Instagram Monday morning.
In one photo, Doncic is seen holding Olivia while playing with Gabriela. In the other photo, Doncic is out for a walk and it appears he has Gabriela on his shoulders.
Giving fans a rare glimpse inside his personal life, Doncic shared two photos on his Instagram Monday morning.
Doncic was named first-team All-NBA on Sunday afternoon, the sixth time in his career he’s been recognized in that manner.
He is the fifth player in league history to earn six All-NBA first-team honors by age 27 or younger, according to the Lakers. He and Nikola Jokic were the 22nd and 23rd players in NBA history to receive six or more career first-team selections.
He led the league with a scoring average of 33.5 points to go with 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals. His 254 made 3-pointers were the most in Lakers history for a season and the third most in the league for 2025-26.
Giving fans a rare glimpse inside his personal life, Doncic shared two photos on his Instagram Monday morning.
Doncic made a late push in the MVP race, and appeared to be making up serious ground. He was the only player to be named the Western Conference Player of the Month twice during the season, receiving the honor in January and March.
However, his hamstring strain caused him to miss the final month of the season and all of Los Angeles’ postseason push.
May 24, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game four of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Coming off a tough loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3, the Spurs looked to regroup and even the series in Game 4. Even though they were not listed on the injury report, De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper are still playing through their respective injuries. After an 8-7 lead by OKC, the Spurs embarked on a 15-0 run. They outscored the Thunder 28-19 in the first quarter, which would be a theme for the rest of the game. The Spurs’ defense adjusted from Game 3 and decided to guard MVP guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander straight up, with only doubling him when necessary. The result: Not as many open shots for OKC’s role players, and when they were open, they managed to actually miss. Also, the Spurs gave the Thunder a taste of their own medicine: live-ball turnovers that resulted in extra points. Through a tough and gritty defensive performance, the Spurs held OKC to 33% shooting from the field and 18% from three-point territory. The Spurs led by as much as 25 in the game, and routed OKC 103-82.
Victor Wembanyama led the way with 33 points (11-22 FG, 8-9 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals. Wemby was ultra-aggressive to start after being named to First Team All-NBA. 22 of his 33 points came in the first half alone. Anytime he was in the paint, he was able to take advantage of his height by tipping the ball multiple times off the glass for putbacks. He also drained three threes and stretched the OKC out thin. Wemby is now averaging 30.3 points per game, 13.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3 blocks in his first-ever Western Conference Finals on nearly 50/40/90 efficiency. A friendly reminder: he is only 22 years old.
On the board! Wemby gets the Spurs on the board first with a deep three!
SPURS BALL MOVEMENT! The Spurs throw it around the world with Wemby dishing the last pass in the possession to Julian Champagnie, who drives in and finishes!
Stephon Castle dropped a loud 13 points, six assists, three rebounds, one steal, and a block. Steph was a monster on defense, especially when guarding SGA. With the Spurs’ strategy to trust in guarding without immediately doubling, Steph helped hold SGA to 40% shooting and four turnovers. It is very puzzling to see him left off the All-Defensive teams, but Steph is, without a doubt, using it as fuel. Ever since Fox returned to the backcourt, Steph has only turned the ball over twice in two games. Playing his natural position at shooting guard, he has been able to play without fear of overthinking his game.
LOCKED UP! Steph locks up SGA and forces several pump fakes, hesitations, and a jump ball!
Devin Vassell dropped 13 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block. Dev continues to do the dirty work and continues to play like a playoff riser. He has played without fear in his first playoff run, hitting timely shots, defending both the perimeter and the paint well, and making the right play every time. Regardless of how this team’s run ends, his performances are close to classic Spurs role player performances.
D3VIN VAS33L! Dev knocks down the transition three from the Steph dime!
THE D STANDS FOR DEFENSE! Dev blocks Jared McCain off the glass and gets the rebound. He then leads the fastbreak with a lob to Wemby for the alley-oop connection!
De’Aaron Fox dropped a double-double: 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five assists, a steal, and a block. It has been remarkable to watch this man play through the pain in his ankle, providing the team with whatever they need. He was able to grab a game-high 10 boards on one healthy ankle, and still provided scoring with a dose of playmaking. As stated earlier, his return has allowed Steph and Dylan to play stress-free with his decision-making. Regardless of how the Spurs finish their playoff run, there is no doubt he has earned the respect of Spurs fans worldwide.
Fox dime! Fox gets double-teamed and threads the needle to an open Luke Kornet under the basket for the dunk!
This was a much-needed response to keep hope alive in the series. The Spurs may not have had their best offensive performance, but they definitely shut down the Thunder’s offense. They held OKC to their lowest scoring total in five years and frustrated SGA. The Spurs know to expect a big response in Game 5, but this performance has sparked even more confidence that they will keep the reigning champs on their heels. Also, the Spurs should do whatever they can to invite the Salesian Sisters for the remaining games in the series.
The Western Conference Finals turn into a best-of-three series with Game 5 being a huge litmus test for both teams. Game 5 is this Tuesday at 7:30 P.M. (CST) on NBC/Peacock.
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Jon Metler's expert pick: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points
Price: -110 at bet365
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in full desperation mode, trailing 3-0 to the New York Knicks and constantly searching for defensive answers.
So far, nothing has worked. Jalen Brunson has either exploded as a scorer or carved them up as a playmaker, including a 14-assist performance earlier in the series. That’s why I think Karl-Anthony Towns is positioned to benefit most from Cleveland’s likely adjustments in Game 4.
The Cavaliers can’t aggressively help off the wings in the Brunson/Towns two-man game because OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges have consistently punished rotating defenses with catch-and-shoot opportunities created by Brunson.
That should push Cleveland toward a more aggressive drop coverage with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, forcing them to concede more open perimeter looks to Towns. I price KAT closer to -145 to clear this total.
Jason Logan's expert pick: Evan Mobley Over 1.5 threes
Price: +110 at bet365
Evan Mobley’s inside-out scoring is a strength of this Cavs offense... when the “outside” part is clicking.
The versatile forward went 1-for-6 from distance in Game 3 after knocking down two triples in each of the first two games of the series. New York is happy to let Cleveland jack it up from the perimeter, as the Cavs just haven’t been able to cash in on open shots.
Mobley is getting excellent looks, with all 17 3PAs graded as “open” to “wide open” with no defender within at least four feet. Thirteen of those 3-point shots have come without a Knicks player within six feet. However, he’s a collective 5-for-17 from beyond the arc for the series.
Projections aren’t bullish on Mobley’s makes from downtown, but a desperate game script has Cleveland on the ropes as a home underdog and needing big shots from its stars to stay alive. If Mobley doesn’t top this prop, it won’t be for a lack of clean looks from long range.
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Knicks -2.5
Price: -110 at bet365
I’ll keep backing the Knicks to finish the job and send the Cavs home tonight. New York has now won 10 straight playoff games, with nine of those victories coming by double digits.
It's also shown zero interest in dragging out the series, blowing out both the Hawks and Sixers in previous close-out games by 51 and 30 points — with both taking place on the road.
The Knicks have clearly been the better team in this matchup and should stay aggressive from the opening tip vs. a Cleveland team that's running on fumes.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
In a showdown of titans, San Antonio is tied 2-2 with defending champion Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals because, for two games, Victor Wembanyama took over. He dropped 41 in the dramatic Game 1 double-overtime win on the road. However, it was in Game 4 — a must-win game for the Spurs, they couldn't afford to go 3-1 down — where he played maybe his best game.
“I think our competitive response all year has been pretty good and he’s been at the forefront of that more than not,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “And I think tonight he felt, not speaking for him, but from my perspective and obligation to set a tone for us in a variety of ways.”
Wembanyama hadn't been bad in Games 2 and 3. For example, in Game 3 he had 26 points on 8-of-15 shooting and was +4. However, the Spurs had been able to use Isaiah Hartenstein's physicality to push Wemby away from the rim — he had just four shots in the restricted area, six in the paint — and out on the perimeter.
Sunday night, we saw an aggressive Wembanyama who set the tone early (11 first-quarter points) and went hard to the rim — he shot 7-of-10 in the restricted area in Game 4 and took a dozen shots in the paint. When he's that close to the basket, there is nothing any player in the league can do. Especially when he's also 3-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Johnson also modified his team's defensive schemes in a way that let Wembanyama hang closer to the rim — where he is a force unlike anyone in the league — and the results were dramatic. In Game 3, the Thunder shot 11-of-15 in the restricted area and 21-of-32 in the paint overall. In Game 4, the Thunder still tried to attack and get downhill, but shot 48.3% in the restricted area and were 18-of-41 (43.9%) overall in the paint. Look at the Spurs shot chart.
NBA.com
After the ugly Game 3 loss at home, Spurs legendary former coach (now front office person) Gregg Popovich appeared in the locker room postgame — the first time he had done so all year, according to De'Aaron Fox in a postgame interview on NBC. Popovich's message was simple: That's not Spurs basketball.
“He saw it. We all saw it," Fox said. "We all felt it."
Wembanyama felt it and did what all the greats do — he took that personally. He put the team on his shoulders. He finished Game 4 with 33 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, but the stats don't tell the story of the tone Wembanyama set. Or the one he continues to set.
“We all have high standards and I know I have a lot of responsibilities, but I’m here for it,” Wembanyama said. “Yeah, it was better today. It wasn’t perfect...
“The series is far from over. We’ve got six more wins before we can rest.”
JJ
(@bluebeari3) 
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points
Evan Mobley Over 1.5 threes
