NBA Conference Semifinals: Knicks Sweep 76ers, Thunder Lead Lakers 3-0

Why it matters locally: The Los Angeles Lakers, a prominent California-based team, are on the verge of elimination from the NBA Conference Semifinals, trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder 3-0.

The 2026 NBA Conference Semifinals are underway, with several series progressing. The New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 144-114 in Game 4, securing a 4-0 series sweep. Jalen Brunson contributed 33 points in the Knicks' 108-104 Game 3 victory. In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder lead the Los Angeles Lakers 3-0. The Thunder won Game 1 108-90, Game 2 125-107, and Game 3 131-108. Chet Holmgren scored 24 points in Game 1, while he and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each scored 22 points in Game 2. Ajay Mitchell added 24 points in Game 3 for Oklahoma City. The Eastern Conference series between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers stands at 2-1 in favor of Detroit. The Pistons won Game 1, 111-101, with Cade Cunningham scoring 23 points and Tobias Harris adding 20. Detroit also won Game 2, 107-97, behind Cunningham's 12 points in the fourth quarter. Cleveland secured Game 3, 116-109, as Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points and James Harden made clutch shots. The Western Conference series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves is tied 2-2. Minnesota took Game 1, 104-102, with Anthony Edwards providing a spark off the bench. San Antonio responded with a 133-95 win in Game 2. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs to a 115-108 Game 3 victory. Edwards guided the Timberwolves to a 114-109 Game 4 win after Wembanyama's ejection. The 2026 NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on June 3. Oklahoma City holds the league's best regular-season record, which would grant them home-court advantage in the Finals.