After the Oklahoma City Thunder completed their sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers last night, all eyes turned to LeBron James, the Lakers’ 41-year-old star. Had that been James’ final NBA game? His last game in a Laker uniform? We dive in below.
Subscribe to read this story ad-free
Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
Also, Takefusa Kubo, the Japanese Messi, is today’s World Cup player spotlight. Plus, there’s a new docuseries out that takes you behind the scenes with the U.S. men’s national team.
Stay tuned here for more NBA and World Cup coverage, and on the NBC News website.
NBA Playoffs
Last night, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Los Angeles Lakers 115-110 to complete a four-game sweep of their second-round series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points, while Ajay Mitchell added 28. The Thunder improved to 8-0 in the playoffs and will now play the winner of the San Antonio-Minnesota series in the conference finals.
But today, the attention has shifted to James, who may have just played his final NBA game. In last night’s loss, James scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. But he also missed a late floater that would have given Los Angeles the lead with about 20 seconds remaining. He wouldn’t shoot again on the Lakers’ final two possessions.
For the first time in his career, James played this season on an expiring contract, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. After the game, James offered no hints on his future, saying he would discuss it with his family before making a decision.
“With my future, I don’t know, honestly,” James told reporters.
James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game in his 23rd season, increasing each of those numbers in the postseason. No player in NBA history has played 24 seasons.
Earlier, the Cleveland Cavaliers held home court, defeating the Detroit Pistons 112-103 to even their series at 2-2. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell had his best game of the playoffs, scoring 43 points, including 39 in the second half, tying the playoff record for points in a half.
World Cup Countdown
Leading up to the 2026 World Cup, we’re counting down 26 players to watch. Today’s entry is Japan’s Takefusa Kubo.
Known by some fans as the Japanese Messi, Kubo is a blur on the wing who is looking to make a major impact in his second World Cup appearance.
Kubo spent a significant chunk of his youth career at the famed La Masia academy in Barcelona, generating hype as a potential star. After Real Madrid loaned him to a series of clubs from 2019 to 2022, Kubo found his home in La Liga at Real Sociedad, with whom he’s scored 23 goals in 122 appearances since 2022.
Kubo has made international appearances for Japan since 2019, though his career has really taken off since 2023. In his last 26 matches for Japan, Kubo has six goals, including three in World Cup qualifiers.
What makes Kubo special, however, is not his goal-scoring ability. Instead, his speed and technical precision will be key for Japan’s offensive attack. While Ayase Ueda is the team’s striker, Kubo is the engine that drives Japan into advantageous positions.
Kubo should also be plenty motivated after a disappointing showing at the most recent World Cup. He did not have a goal or assist in two appearances during the tournament in Qatar, in which Japan made it to the Round of 16.
The Samurai Blue have yet to make it further than that round in any of its World Cup appearances. This time, however, Kubo may have the right mix of youthful energy and experience to help push his country further into contention.
Yesterday’s entry was Norway’s Erling Haaland. Read about him here.
Team USA
For the past four years, director Rand Getlin and his crew filmed the U.S. men’s national soccer team, leading up to this summer’s World Cup. They captured moments on the pitch and behind the scenes, getting to know the players intimately.
“We filmed for 600 hours. We went to something like 11 or 12 countries,” Getlin said. “We flew over 300,000 miles capturing these guys. And you got to distill it to five hours, right?”
Today, the finished product, a five-part docuseries titled “U.S. Against the World: Four Years With the Men’s National Soccer Team,” premieres on HBO Max. At first, most studios would not pick up the project. In America, where winning is everything, the USMNT’s reputation was not helping to sell executives on such a behemoth of a project.
But the final docuseries is what Getlin described as an “emotional ramp” to the 2026 World Cup tournament for audiences.
“Sports is the backdrop and, you know, if you feel like we’re at a place in society where we could use some positive, uplifting stories and you’re looking to invest in a group of young people who are desperately trying to make us proud, this is the show for you,” Getlin said.
For more on the USMNT docuseries, read here.
What We’re Reading
She’s the best female pickleball player ever. And she’s only 19.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at 29 years old, the team announced in a statement.
A judge ruled that Florida prosecutors can gain access to Tiger Woods’ medication records.
When will the USMNT reveal its World Cup roster? Here’s what to know.
Craig Morton, who was the first QB to start in the Super Bowl for two different teams, died at 83.
The post positions for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes were determined by random draw.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, college football coach Lane Kiffin cited “diversity” as a difference between his old school Ole Miss and his new school LSU.
What We’re Watching
In the NBA playoffs, there’s a pivotal Game 5 tonight on NBC/Peacock. The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves are tied 2-2, and everyone will be watching to see how Victor Wembanyama responds after being ejected in the second quarter of Game 4.
Wembanyama has exited two games early this postseason, the other due to a concussion. In his six full games, he has averaged 24.6 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.
All times are Eastern:
- 7 p.m.: No. 1 Buffalo Sabres vs. No. 3 Montreal Canadiens, on ESPN
- 8 p.m.: No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, on NBC/Peacock
- 9:30 p.m.: No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 3 Anaheim Ducks, on ESPN
That’s it for now! We’ll be back tomorrow.