Victor Wembanyama and Spurs force Game 7 vs. Thunder; NBA Draft Lottery reform winners, losers

NBA Draft Lottery Reform: Winners and Losers Emerge from Sweeping Changes

The National Basketball Association has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its Draft Lottery system, signaling a league-wide effort to eradicate the practice of "tanking"—the intentional pursuit of losses to secure higher draft picks. While the new measures are largely seen as a deterrent to such strategies, they are not without contentious aspects, as evidenced by the Memphis Grizzlies’ lone dissenting vote among the league’s teams.

The core of the new system, dubbed the "3-2-1" model, significantly alters the distribution of lottery balls. Under this reform, the three teams with the worst records in the NBA will each receive two lottery balls, a reduction from previous systems that heavily favored the absolute bottom-feeders. The subsequent seven worst franchises will be awarded three lottery balls apiece. Teams finishing as the No. 9 and No. 10 seeds in each conference, narrowly missing the playoffs, will receive two lottery balls. Finally, the two teams that lose their respective No. 7 vs. No. 8 seed play-in games will each be granted one lottery ball.

This redistribution effectively flattens the odds at the top, ensuring that while non-playoff teams still benefit from the lottery, the incentive for bottoming out completely is diminished. The system aims to foster competitive integrity throughout the regular season, encouraging teams to compete for wins rather than strategic losses.

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Beyond the lottery ball allocation, the reforms introduce two critical prohibitions designed to prevent sustained periods of non-competitiveness by any single franchise. Firstly, no team will be permitted to hold the No. 1 overall pick in consecutive drafts. This measure directly targets the potential for a franchise to repeatedly secure top talent by consistently finishing last. Secondly, a team cannot pick inside the top five of three consecutive drafts. This rule further limits the ability of teams to accumulate high-value assets through prolonged losing streaks, pushing them towards more immediate competitive strategies.

According to analysis by CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn, the Memphis Grizzlies are projected to be significant losers under these new reforms. Their dissenting vote underscores concerns that the new rules, particularly the prohibition on consecutive high picks, could impede long-term rebuilding strategies that rely on sequential high-value draft selections. Teams that previously embraced multi-year rebuilds, aiming to amass a wealth of top-tier talent through several poor seasons, will now face structural limitations.

It is important to note that these lottery changes will not take effect until the conclusion of the upcoming season. Therefore, the 2025 NBA Draft order, which will select players for the 2026 season, will not be impacted by these reforms. As teams prepare for next month’s draft, the latest big board rankings have been updated following the recent withdrawal deadline for prospects.

Wembanyama and Spurs Force Game 7 Against Thunder in Playoff Thriller

In a stunning display of resilience and emerging star power, the San Antonio Spurs, spearheaded by rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, have pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to a decisive Game 7 in their Western Conference playoff series. The Spurs secured a thrilling 115-108 victory in Game 6 on their home court, sending the series back to Oklahoma City for a winner-take-all showdown.

Wembanyama delivered a masterful performance in Game 6, showcasing the full breadth of his generational talent. He recorded an emphatic 32 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks, including several crucial plays in the fourth quarter that stifled the Thunder’s comeback attempts. His presence on both ends of the floor was instrumental, altering shots defensively and creating scoring opportunities with his unique offensive repertoire. Beyond Wembanyama, veteran Keldon Johnson contributed 20 points, providing crucial secondary scoring, while Devin Vassell added 18 points, hitting key three-pointers down the stretch. The Spurs’ collective defensive effort, particularly in containing the Thunder’s potent perimeter attack, was a defining factor in their victory.

The Thunder, who finished the regular season as one of the top teams in the Western Conference, found themselves struggling to maintain consistency against the Spurs’ invigorated play. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 28 points, but shot just 9-of-24 from the field, facing relentless defensive pressure. Chet Holmgren added 16 points and 8 rebounds, but the Thunder’s overall three-point shooting dipped significantly, allowing the Spurs to build and maintain their lead. The series has been a back-and-forth affair, with each team showcasing periods of dominance, leading to this high-stakes Game 7.

For the Spurs, forcing a Game 7 is a monumental achievement, signaling a rapid acceleration in their rebuilding process under Wembanyama. It marks the first Game 7 appearance for the French phenom, offering a significant test of his mettle under immense pressure. For the Thunder, the pressure is immense to capitalize on their home-court advantage and validate their impressive regular-season performance. The winner will advance to the next round of the playoffs, while the loser faces an early exit from championship contention. The decisive Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, at 8 p.m. ET, broadcast nationally on NBC.

National League Provides Pleasant Surprises Through Two Months

While the American League has largely been defined by the underwhelming performances of its perceived contenders, the National League has offered a refreshing contrast, characterized by several teams exceeding modest expectations through the first two months of the season. Although the New York Mets stand out as a notable disappointment, the narrative in the NL is largely one of pleasant surprises.

The Atlanta Braves, in particular, have defied initial projections, bouncing back strongly from a comparatively down year to seize first place in the NL East. After a 2024 season where they finished just above .500, many analysts anticipated a slower start to 2025. However, with a current record of 35-20, the Braves have showcased renewed vigor. Key contributions from sluggers Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies, coupled with consistent starting pitching, have propelled them to the top. CBS Sports baseball writers awarded the Braves an "A-" grade in their two-month report card, highlighting their exceptional performance.

Another significant surprise has been the St. Louis Cardinals. Widely considered to be in a rebuilding year, the Cardinals have instead found themselves above .500 with a 28-25 record and firmly in contention for a postseason berth. A blend of veteran resurgence and unexpected contributions from younger players has fueled their success. Similarly, the Washington Nationals have garnered high marks for a fun and competitive start to the year. Despite a 26-28 record, the Nationals boast one of the highest-scoring offenses in baseball, driven by the dynamic bats of CJ Abrams, who is batting .310 with 8 home runs, and rookie James Wood, who has quickly established himself with a .295 average and 7 homers.

In other National League news, the early prediction for the NL Cy Young Award has been made. Christopher Sánchez is currently the odds-on favorite, propelled by an astonishing record-breaking scoreless streak of 45 consecutive innings, leading to a microscopic 0.88 ERA. However, a more compelling pick, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder, is Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies. Wheeler, currently leading the league in strikeouts with 95 through 70 innings, presents a strong case for the prestigious pitching award.

The Best (and Not-So-Best) of the Rest

Beyond the diamond and the hardwood, the sports world continues to buzz with activity. In the WNBA, the early season has been marked by compelling matchups and breakout performances, with several teams showcasing impressive talent as they vie for early positioning. The league’s popularity continues to surge, attracting new fans with its high-intensity play and captivating storylines. Meanwhile, the NHL playoffs are heating up, with the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes locked in a fiercely contested series, potentially heading to a Game 6 if necessary, on Sunday, June 2, at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.

What We’re Watching This Weekend

The upcoming weekend promises a packed schedule for sports enthusiasts, highlighted by high-stakes playoff action in the NBA and NHL, major baseball matchups, and the UEFA Champions League final.

Friday, May 30:

• NCAA Baseball Regionals: All day on ESPN networks
• French Open, Third Round: 5 a.m. ET on TNT
• Charles Schwab Challenge, Second Round: 4 p.m. ET on Golf Channel
• Braves at Reds: 6:40 p.m. ET on MLB Network
• Twins at Pirates: 6:45 p.m. ET on Apple TV
• WCWS: Mississippi State vs. No. 2 Texas: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Blue Jays at Orioles: 7:05 p.m. ET on Peacock
• Marlins at Mets: 7:10 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited
• WNBA Tripleheader: Sparks at Mystics OR Lynx at Sky OR Mercury at Liberty, 7:30 p.m. ET on Ion
• Stanley Cup Playoffs: Canadiens at Hurricanes, Game 5: 8 p.m. ET on TNT
• Summit at Louisville (Soccer): 8 p.m. ET on Prime Video
• WWE SmackDown: 8 p.m. ET on USA Network
• WCWS: No. 8 UCLA vs. No. 5 Arkansas: 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Yankees at Athletics: 9:40 p.m. ET on MLB Network
• Dream at Fire (WNBA): 10 p.m. ET on Ion
• Phillies at Dodgers: 10:15 p.m. ET on Apple TV

Saturday, May 31:

• NCAA Baseball Regionals: All day on ESPN networks
• French Open, Third Round: 5 a.m. ET on TNT
• UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo: 7 a.m. ET on Paramount+
• UEFA Champions League Final: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Arsenal: Noon ET on CBS/Paramount+
• Legacy at Current (Soccer): 1:30 p.m. ET on Ion
• Tigers at White Sox: 2:10 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited
• WCWS: No. 11 Texas Tech vs. No. 7 Tennessee: 3 p.m. ET on ABC
• Charles Schwab Challenge, Third Round: 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS/Paramount+
• Royals at Thorns (Soccer): 4 p.m. ET on Ion
• Royals at Rangers: 4:05 p.m. ET on FS1
• Reign at Spirit (Soccer): 6:30 p.m. ET on Ion
• WCWS: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Nebraska: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
• MLB on Fox: Braves at Reds OR Cubs at Cardinals, 7:15 p.m. ET on Fox
• NBA Playoffs: Spurs at Thunder, Game 7: 8 p.m. ET on NBC
• Fever at Fire (WNBA): 8 p.m. ET on CBS/Paramount+
• Boxing: Han vs. Holm: 9 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Yankees at Athletics: 10:05 p.m. ET on Peacock
• Phillies at Dodgers: 10:10 p.m. ET on MLB Network

Sunday, June 1:

• NCAA Baseball Regionals: All day on ESPN networks
• French Open, Fourth Round: 5 a.m. ET on TNT
• Blue Jays at Orioles: 12:15 p.m. ET on Peacock
• Wave at Stars (Soccer): 1 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network
• WWE Clash in Italy: 2 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited
• WCWS: TBD vs. TBD: 3 p.m. ET on ABC
• Charles Schwab Challenge, Final Round: 3 p.m. ET on CBS/Paramount+
• Aces at Valkyries (WNBA): 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC
• Men’s International Friendly: United States vs. Senegal: 3:30 p.m. ET on TBS
• Yankees at Athletics: 4:05 p.m. ET on MLB Network
• Diamondbacks at Mariners: 4:10 p.m. ET on Peacock
• Phillies at Dodgers: 4:10 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited
• WCWS: TBD vs. TBD: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
• NASCAR at Nashville: 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video
• Courage at Angel City (Soccer): 7 p.m. ET on Victory+
• Cubs at Cardinals: 7:20 p.m. ET on NBC
• Stanley Cup Playoffs: Canadiens at Hurricanes, Game 6 (if necessary): 8 p.m. ET on TNT

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