Basketball

Thunder top Spurs 127-114 in Game 5, move a win away from a return to NBA Finals

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:08 AM CDT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points, Alex Caruso led another strong bench effort with 22 and the Oklahoma City Thunder moved one win away from a return trip to the NBA Finals by beating the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 on Tuesday night.

Jared McCain — getting the call with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell both sidelined — scored 20 in his first playoff start for the defending NBA champion Thunder, who lead the Western Conference finals 3-2.

Chet Holmgren had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder, while Isaiah Hartenstein had a 12-point, 15-rebound night.

The Thunder, who were held to 82 points in a Game 4 loss two days earlier, had 82 points on Tuesday before the third quarter was 3 1/2 minutes old.

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Basketball

Averill transfers to New York DI school

1 minute read Yesterday at 9:18 PM CDT

Ella Averill is moving on after one standout season at Brandon University.

The six-foot-one forward is joining the NCAA Division I ranks, transferring to Fordham University in New York.

The Perth, Australia native averaged 14.9 points per game while helping the BU women’s basketball team earn a playoff spot for the first time in nearly a decade.

She also averaged 7.6 rebounds per game, as the only rookie in Canada West to crack the top 10 in both categories.

Basketball

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) scores a basket on the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series in San Antonio, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Wembanyama scores 33 points to help Spurs rebound and trounce Thunder 103-82 to even West finals

Raul Dominguez, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Wembanyama scores 33 points to help Spurs rebound and trounce Thunder 103-82 to even West finals

Raul Dominguez, The Associated Press 3 minute read Sunday, May. 24, 2026

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks and the San Antonio Spurs held Oklahoma City to its second-lowest postseason total, beating the Thunder 103-82 in Game 4 on Sunday night to tie the Western Conference finals.

De'Aaron Fox had 12 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for San Antonio, which has not lost three consecutive games all season. Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell added 13 points each.

“You definitely don’t want to go down 3-1 going into their house,” Vassell said. “We knew we had to respond and that’s how you respond. You get stops. You don’t try and focus on the offensive end, you get stops, you get out of transition. You guard your yard and that’s what we did.”

Game 5 is Tuesday in Oklahoma City, followed by Game 6 on Thursday in San Antonio.

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Sunday, May. 24, 2026

Basketball

BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS
Sea Bears guard Teddy Allen (right) passes the ball while River Lions forward Kameron Warrens covers him during first quarter action.

Sea Bears feast on River Lions

Ben Little 4 minute read Preview

Sea Bears feast on River Lions

Ben Little 4 minute read Saturday, May. 23, 2026

It was a magical night at Canada Life Centre — both as the theme night, and for the roaring crowd of 6,700. Fans had much to cheer about as the Sea Bears recorded their third win of the season, downing the Niagara River Lions 97-71.

The club remains unbeaten at home this season.

A three-pointer from Winnipeg’s own Simon Hildebrandt opened the first quarter.

From the tip-off, the Sea Bears’ physicality seemed to overwhelm the defending CEBL champions, earning five steals and holding the River Lions to under 30 per cent shooting from the field in the first quarter.

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Saturday, May. 23, 2026

Basketball

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) hangs on the rim next to San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) after a dunk during the second half of Game 3 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series Friday, May 22, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gilgeous-Alexander, bench propel Thunder past Spurs 123-108 for 2-1 series lead

Raul Dominguez, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Gilgeous-Alexander, bench propel Thunder past Spurs 123-108 for 2-1 series lead

Raul Dominguez, The Associated Press 3 minute read Saturday, May. 23, 2026

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — 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.

Oklahoma City’s bench outscored San Antonio’s 76-23, including 15 points by Alex Caruso.

“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.”

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Saturday, May. 23, 2026

Basketball

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Sea Bears guard Nathan Bilamu (left) drives against Niagara River Lions forward Nathan Cayo.

Sea Bears feast on River Lions

Ben Little 3 minute read Preview

Sea Bears feast on River Lions

Ben Little 3 minute read Friday, May. 22, 2026

It was a magical night at Canada Life Centre — both as the theme night, and for the roaring crowd of 6,700. Fans had much to cheer about as the Sea Bears recorded the third win of the season, downing the Niagara River Lions 97-71.

The club remains unbeaten at home so far this season.

From the tip-off, the Sea Bears’ physicality seemed to overwhelm the defending CEBL champions, earning five steals and holding the River Lions to under 30 per cent from the field in the first quarter.

Winnipeg recorded 38 points in the opening frame, shooting 58.3 per cent the field. Teddy Allen’s three first quarter assists led a total of nine for the Sea Bears, who recorded nine points off of turnovers.

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Friday, May. 22, 2026

Basketball

Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes speaks to media during an end-of-season availability in Toronto, on Monday, May 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Raptors’ Barnes voted to NBA’s second all-defensive team

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Raptors’ Barnes voted to NBA’s second all-defensive team

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Friday, May. 22, 2026

TORONTO - Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes was selected to the NBA's all-defensive second team Friday.

Barnes was the third player in Raptors history to earn NBA defensive team honours after Kawhi Leonard in 2019 and OG Anunoby in 2023.

Barnes averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.4 steals and 33.5 minutes in 80 games this season, which were all starts.

Barnes also had 114 steals and 116 blocks and led the league in clutch-time blocks with nine.

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Friday, May. 22, 2026

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Basketball

Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) dunks as Cleveland Cavaliers centre Evan Mobley (4) looks on during first half NBA playoff basketball action in Toronto on Sunday, April 26, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles named to NBA’s all-rookie second team

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles named to NBA’s all-rookie second team

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles has been named to the NBA's all-rookie second team.

Murray-Boyles is the 13th player in franchise history to receive all-rookie honours and first since Scottie Barnes in 2021-22.

The 20-year-old averaged 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks and 21.9 minutes in 57 regular-season games (22 starts).

Murray-Boyles scored in double figures in 25 regular-season games, grabbed 10-plus rebounds six times and had four double-doubles.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Basketball

Mavericks president Masai Ujiri says it was his decision to remove Jason Kidd as coach

Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Mavericks president Masai Ujiri says it was his decision to remove Jason Kidd as coach

Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks president Masai Ujiri says it was a difficult decision, and his alone, to remove Jason Kidd as the team's coach after five seasons.

A day after the Mavericks announced Kidd's departure, Ujiri said Wednesday he felt like the organization needed a clean slate.

“What he’s done for this organization we truly respect, so this was a very, very tough decision,” Ujiri said.

“I have to be accountable with a decision like this,” he said. “I also have to be very active in how I look at the organization from top to bottom.”

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Basketball

New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) moves around the Cleveland Cavaliers defense during the first half of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Jalen Brunson leads Knicks back from 22 down in the 4th for 115-104 win over Cavs in OT in Game 1

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Jalen Brunson leads Knicks back from 22 down in the 4th for 115-104 win over Cavs in OT in Game 1

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson sparked one of the NBA's greatest postseason comebacks, a rally from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter, and finished with 38 points as New York beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

After a record-setting run through the first two rounds, the Knicks were going nowhere for 40 minutes against the Cavs, trailing 93-71 with 7:52 to play. But Brunson relentlessly attacked James Harden to spark an 18-1 run that made it a ballgame, and he tied it at 101-all on a basket with 19 seconds remaining in regulation.

Before that, Brunson said the message for the Knicks was just to finish strong so they would have momentum for Game 2, even if they lost the opener.

“Just keep fighting,” he said. “Keep chipping away. We’re not going to get it back in one possession.”

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Basketball

Israeli guard Zehavi joins Bobcats

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Israeli guard Zehavi joins Bobcats

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Thursday, May. 21, 2026

Orie Zehavi is ready to chase a dream and escape a nightmare.

The Israeli guard has committed to the Brandon University Bobcats men’s basketball team for the 2026-27 Canada West season after serving in the military for more than two years.

“I’m very, very excited. It was my dream ever since I was a kid to go and play abroad, especially in the U.S. or Canada, and I’m very excited to join the team and experience the whole thing of going to college and studying, being abroad and meeting new people,” Zehavi said.

“The situation here made it more obvious for me that I wanted to try to step out of it and see how it feels out there in a place where it’s more calm, there’s not a lot of stress.”

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Thursday, May. 21, 2026

Basketball

Wembanyama has 41 points, 24 rebounds and Spurs top Thunder 122-115 in 2OT to open West finals

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Wembanyama has 41 points, 24 rebounds and Spurs top Thunder 122-115 in 2OT to open West finals

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 41 points and 24 rebounds, Dylan Harper finished with 24 points and a team playoff-record seven steals, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in a double-overtime classic to open the Western Conference finals Monday night.

Wembanyama sealed it with a pair of dunks in the final minute, one of them leading to a three-point play as the Spurs stole home-court advantage and beat the Thunder for the fifth time in six meetings this season.

Stephon Castle had 17 points, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson each scored 13 and Julian Champagnie added 11 for the Spurs, who were without De’Aaron Fox because of ankle stiffness.

“A great effort — from everybody,” said Wembanyama, who, at 22 years, 134 days, became the youngest player with at least 41 points and 24 rebounds in a playoff game. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was 22 years, 352 days when he had a 46-point, 25-rebound game in the 1970 playoffs.

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Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

Basketball

Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert (8) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) with Pistons centre Jalen Duren, right, helping on the play during the first half in Game 7 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Mitchell scores 26 as Cavaliers rout Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 to reach East finals

Bob Tripi, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Mitchell scores 26 as Cavaliers rout Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 to reach East finals

Bob Tripi, The Associated Press 3 minute read Sunday, May. 17, 2026

DETROIT (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill each added 23 and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 125-94 on Sunday night in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

The fourth-seeded Cavaliers ousted the East's top seed and will face the third-seeded New York Knicks. Game 1 of that series tips off Tuesday in New York.

Evan Mobley had 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who advanced to the conference finals for the first time since 2018 and the ninth time in team history. It’s their deepest run since LeBron James’ final season with the franchise.

“We didn’t just come here just to win a goal,” Mitchell said about making the conference finals for the first time in his career.

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Sunday, May. 17, 2026

Basketball

Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becomes 14th player to win back-to-back NBA MVPs

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becomes 14th player to win back-to-back NBA MVPs

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Sunday, May. 17, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — He’s the best player on the best team. And the voters say he’s the best player in the league, too.

Again.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player on Sunday for the second consecutive year. The native of Hamilton, Ont., became the 18th player to win at least two MVP awards and the 14th to win them in back-to-back fashion.

“Who he is has never changed,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “I think he’s touched up the edges on his game and on his leadership and on his perspective, just like anybody else that’s coming of age.”

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Sunday, May. 17, 2026

Basketball

Cade Cunningham scores 21 and Pistons dominate 2nd half to beat Cavs 115-94 and force Game 7

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Cade Cunningham scores 21 and Pistons dominate 2nd half to beat Cavs 115-94 and force Game 7

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, May. 15, 2026

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cade Cunningham scored 21 points and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons dominated the second half, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94 on Friday night to force a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference second-round series.

The decisive game is Sunday in Detroit.

“It’s going to be a fun environment for us and we’re excited to get back to the crib,” Cunningham said.

The Pistons’ 21-point victory tied a 66-year-old NBA playoff record for the largest Game 6 road win by a team trailing 3-2 in a series. The St. Louis Hawks beat the Minneapolis Lakers 117-96 in a the 1960 West Division finals.

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Friday, May. 15, 2026

Basketball

Steve Kerr remains committed to coaching Warriors following some doubts after the season

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Steve Kerr remains committed to coaching Warriors following some doubts after the season

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 5 minute read Friday, May. 15, 2026

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Once Steve Kerr came to the realization that there was nothing he'd rather do than coach the Golden State Warriors and the team figured out there was no one better to guide the organization through Stephen Curry's final seasons, the final decision for both sides was easy.

The four-time championship winning coach will remain in charge of the Warriors after signing a two-year contract.

“I still love what I do,” Kerr said Friday. “If I were tired and burned out, then I would not be doing this. But I love my job, I love coaching the Warriors, being in this city, being in the Bay.”

That was in doubt at the end of a 37-win season that left Golden State out of the playoffs for the fourth time in seven seasons. Kerr thought it might be time to step away and at times it appeared like he might after his emotional embrace of Curry and Draymond Green at the end of a season-ending loss to Phoenix in the play-in tournament.

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Friday, May. 15, 2026

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