Basketball Intelligence For 5/17/26
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
FEATURE OF THE DAY
On the decline of two-man game in the playoffs & what it means for the Pacers
Caitlin Cooper, Basketball, She Wrote
THE CONFERENCE FINALS
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Calmness Helps Thunder’s NBA Title Chances
Mark Medina, Forbes
Spurs vs Thunder Western Conference Playoff Preview
Paul Garcia, The Spot Up Shot
Spurs vs. Thunder preview
The Athletic
Previewing Thunder VS. Spurs
Jacob Sutton, JSutt Hoops
Key to Spurs’ playoff run? The ‘Slash Bros’
Jared Weiss, The Athletic
Mitch Johnson shatters annoying Spurs narrative NBA keeps clinging to
Jahlil Williams, Air Alamo
THE PLAYOFFS: ROUND TWO
DET-CLE
Why the fallout from this Cavs-Pistons Game 7 could be massive
Brian Windhorst, ESPN
3 things to watch in Cavaliers-Pistons Game 7
Shaun Powell, NBA.com
Pistons’ bigs need to bring it in Game 7 vs Cavaliers
Omari Sankofa II, Free Press
For Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell, Game 7 is his moment of truth
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
Cavs vs Pistons predictions
Ryan Lewis/Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal
Duncan Robinson: the screener
Matt Way, Motor City Hoops
Marcus Sasser shows he can be postseason ‘X-factor’
Coty Davis, Detroit News
Duren, Reed flex their strength to force Game 7
Hunter Patterson, The Athletic
SAS-MIN
How Gregg Popovich quietly became the Spurs’ secret weapon
Jared Weiss, The Athletic
In losing to Victor Wembanyama and Spurs, it’s clear Anthony Edwards needs more in Minnesota
Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ motley crew brought a burst of fun to the NBA playoffs
Owen Lewis, Yahoo Sports
THE DRAFT
Why NBA execs believe lottery reform is inevitable
Sam Amick/Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic
Updated 2026 NBA Mock Draft
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report
New 2026 NBA Mock Draft
Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report
Ebuka Okorie has earned his spot at the NBA Draft Point Guard Roundtable
Latif Love, Love My Takes
Robert McCray V Scouting Report
Ersin Demir, NBA Draft Newsletter
Draft scouting report: Adam Atamna
Graham Chapple. Peachtree Hoops
The 2026 Draft will feature additional prospects who started their collegiate careers below the Division I level
Randall Sweet, Sports Illustrated
TEAM-SPECIFIC
IND: On the decline of two-man game in the playoffs & what it means for the Pacers
Caitlin Cooper, Basketball, She Wrote
NYK: Knicks are unlocking a Karl-Anthony Towns cheat code: a micro shift with major implications.
Dan Favale, Daily Knicks
NYK: Knicks’ improved perimeter defense set for most challenging test yet with finals berth at stake
Jared Schwartz, NY Post
PHI: As 76ers look for new general manager, there are no more excuses
Tony Jones, The Athletic
TOR: Sandro Mamukelashvili did more than prove that he belongs this season
Camden MacMillan, Raptors Republic
LEAGUEWIDE
Udonis Haslem was a candid NBA player. Now he’s bold and authentic as an analyst
Jason Jones, The Athletic
Each NBA Team’s Worst Fear This Offseason
Grant Hughes, Bleacher Report