Basketball Intelligence For 5/21/26
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
CONFERENCE FINALS
NYK-CLE
Cavaliers built a trap, but the Knicks sprung it on James Harden
Fred Katz, The Athletic
How the Cavaliers can protect James Harden from the Knicks’ picks
Zach Kram, ESPN
The Knicks will face an uncomfortable decision if they get off to another slow start against Cavaliers
Dan Devine, Yahoo Sports
3 things to watch in Knicks-Cavaliers Game 2
John Schuhmann, NBA.com
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a James Harden problem. Can they solve it?
Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic
What went right to complete the comeback/what went wrong to necessitate the comeback in the first place.
Jonathan Macri, Knicks Film School
How can the Cavs deal with the Knicks attacking James Harden?
Terry Pluto, cleveland.com
The Cavaliers rebuilt after LeBron left, but questions remain
Dave McMenamin, ESPN
OKC-SAS
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shook off Game 1 struggles and forged an MVP moment
Joel Lorenzi, The Athletic
Without De’Aaron Fox or Dylan Harper, Spurs succumb to Thunder ball pressure
Jared Weiss, The Athletic
Thunder remember what Isaiah Hartenstein can do in time for big Game 2 performance
Dan Woike, The Athletic
Hartenstein Can’t Keep Getting Away With This
Dan Gartland, Sports Illustrated
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder strike back vs Spurs in Game 2 to even up West finals
Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman
Thunder even the series
The Athletic
4 takeaways: Thunder draw even with Spurs on prime SGA effort
Jeff Zillgitt, NBA.com
How Alex Caruso, OKC’s agent of chaos, dared to conquer Victor Wembanyama and unleash the Thunder’s elite depth
Kelly Iko, Yahoo Sports
Why the Thunder’s young stars embrace sacrifice: ‘We all want to win’
Dan Woike, The Athletic
How the Spurs went from Wemby lottery winners to NBA Finals threats in 3 decisions
Mat Issa, Fansided
LEAGUEWIDE
NBA player tiers 2026: LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant slide to Tier 2
Law Murray, The Athletic
Team-specific and draft-related stories follow for paid subscribers
