The Oklahoma City Thunder are just one win away from a second consecutive NBA Finals berth. The Western Conference Finals shifted back to Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, with the defending league champions pulling away in the second half for a 127-114 victory in Game 5.

The reigning two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points and nine assists Tuesday night.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder watches during the fourth quarter of Game Five against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on May 26, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 24 points and five rebounds, while Victor Wembanyama finished with a series-low 20 points.

Entering Tuesday, the Spurs appeared to follow a relatively simple formula for success in the Western Conference Finals: When Wembanyama was the best player on the floor, they won. When he wasn’t, they lost.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama looks on during the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Wembanyama, who delivered 41- and 33-point performances in the Spurs’ two wins earlier in the series, never appeared to fully find his rhythm in Game 5. He was 4 for 15 from the floor, missing all five of his 3-point attempts.

He offered an impassioned speech to teammates during a timeout barely two minutes into the third quarter, after the Thunder opened an 18-point lead. And it worked — to a point. Oklahoma City scored again to get the lead up to 20, but the Spurs closed within eight later in the third.

Elsewhere, the New York Knicks will have to wait until at least Thursday to find out which team emerges from the Western Conference.

Jared McCain of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the fourth quarter of Game Five against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 26, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Even before Game 5 of the Spurs-Thunder series tipped off, San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson was asked about Knicks fans in Manhattan chanting, “We want Wemby! We want Wemby!”

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“I know New York’s on fire. They won so that city is obviously enjoying it and they’ve had a heck of a playoff run,” Johnson said. “But unfortunately, I’ve been pretty locked-into what we’ve got going right here in front of us.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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After defeating Derek Chisora last month, Deontay Wilder is back in contention for major fights, and there is one heavyweight rival who has demanded that he finally gets his long-awaited shot at ‘The Bronze Bomber’.

Wilder has scored back-to-back wins for the first time since 2019 and has this year been linked to a potential fight with unified heavyweight champion Usyk.

However, talks have already failed for the match-up, and the Ukrainian is now more likely to face Germany’s Agit Kabayel, who is the mandatory challenger for the WBC title.

Despite that title shot being off the table for now, Wilder does not find himself short of options. There are plenty of rising contenders in the division who would like the American’s name on their record, as well as past rivals who want to make the fight happen before retirement.

One such man is former unified champ Andy Ruiz Jr, who told talkSPORT Boxing that he would relish a fight with the Tuscaloosa-born knockout artist.

“I want to beat up chicken legs Wilder, because that fight was supposed to be made so many years ago.”

Ruiz has fought just once since 2022, that being a draw against Jarrell Miller, who is also keen on a showdown with Wilder. Having now recovered from the fractured right hand that he suffered in that bout, the Mexican-American is looking to re-announce himself to the heavyweight division.

The Wilder-Ruiz fight has been discussed for many years and was actively being pursued when both men were under the PBC banner. It is certainly a fan-friendly match-up, and one that features two of the biggest US names from this heavyweight era.

Though plenty about it makes sense, Wilder is just as likely to fight a rematch against Chisora, with the Brit seemingly shunning retirement to make it happen after being frustrated by the referee and judges.

Tyson Fury has announced plans to fight on August 1 in Dublin – one week after Anthony Joshua makes his comeback.

The British heavyweights are on a collision course for a long-awaited showdown that has been mooted to take place in November, although it appears both fighters will have a warm-up.

Joshua will take on unfancied Albanian Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25 in his first bout since being involved in a car crash in Nigeria in December which killed two of his closest friends.

Fury posted a video in an Instagram story showing him back in training in Thailand alongside the caption: “Let’s go August 1, Dublin, Ireland.”

With promoter Frank Warren staging a bout between Pierce O’Leary and Mark Chamberlain at the 3Arena in the Irish capital on that date, Fury is seemingly set to slot into the card.

An opponent has yet to be revealed, although Warren has ruled out the prospect of Fury taking on Andy Ruiz Jr, who dethroned Joshua as world champion in 2019 before losing the rematch later that year.

Fury marked his return from a 16-month retirement with a wide points win over Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, after which he immediately called out Joshua, who was present at ringside.

Rather than face-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and ignite the build-up to a contest at least a decade in the making, Joshua refused to budge from his seat.

A verbal exchange ensued, with Joshua taunting his rival by declaring: “I’m the landlord, remember that. You work for me.”

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has since stated: “Signed, sealed, delivered! AJ v Fury is on.”

Lamine Yamal is the star name in Spain‘s squad for the 2026 World Cup named by coach Luis de la Fuente on Monday, which also included Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino after his recent return from injury.

For the first time at a World Cup, the Spain squad will not feature a Real Madrid player with Dean Huijsen dropped and veteran Dani Carvajal also excluded after struggling through an injury-hit campaign.

Merino, a favourite of coach De la Fuente, appeared as a substitute for the Gunners against Crystal Palace on Sunday in their final Premier League match, for his first appearance since January after a foot fracture.

De La Fuente also called up defenders Eric Garcia and Marc Pubill after impressive seasons with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively, deciding to leave out Huijsen and Atletico’s Robin Le Normand.

Along with 18-year-old Barca star Yamal, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams played a key role as Spain won Euro 2024 and he is in the squad despite a season badly disrupted by fitness issues.

Yamal is a doubt for the first matches of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury with Barca which has kept him out since late April.

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The winger is one of eight Barca players in the squad, along with midfielders Gavi, Pedri and goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

“We’re coordinating with the medical departments of all the clubs,” De la Fuente told reporters.

“The reports that we have say all the players will be ready for the first game or the second.”

Gavi returned from a long absence in March after a severe knee injury and has impressed with Barcelona in the final weeks of the season.

Yamal posted a video on social media of Gavi’s emotional reaction to the squad announcement, celebrating wildly during a gym session with Barca.

“That shows the human quality this group of players have… one of our strengths, and that’s just as important as what they do on the pitch,” said De la Fuente.

“I’m glad he got emotional, because we know how much this means to him.”

Watch moreMbappe, Dembele head up France squad for 2026 World Cup

Asked about not calling up any Real Madrid players for the tournament, De la Fuente said that had no impact on his decision making.

“Luckily I’m the national team coach and I don’t look at where the players come from,” explained the coach.

“They’re national team players… I don’t look at one club or another. I don’t have that local bias a fan might have, for me it’s more global…

“The only thing I want is for these footballers to feel proud of representing the national team.”

Spain open their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Cape Verde in Group H, before facing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal/ENG), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)

Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham/ENG), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/ENG), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen/GER)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City/ENG), Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino (Arsenal/ENG), Pedri, Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace/ENG), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo)

Dmitry Bivol is set to defend two of his three light-heavyweight world titles on Saturday night, but that has not stopped his trainer from looking ahead. 

Bivol has proven himself to be the man to beat in the light-heavyweight division, with victories over Canelo Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, and, most recently, Artur Beterbiev, establishing the Russian ruler as a pound-for-pound star.

However, the rise of David Benavidez has called Bivol’s supremacy into question, as many fight fans believe that ‘The Mexican Monster’ possesses the aggressive style required to trump the well-schooled champion – especially after witnessing him conquer a third weight division.

Following his own victory over ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez at cruiserweight, Benavidez has announced that he intends to drop back down to resume his reign as WBC light-heavyweight champion, and the first fight on his list is an undisputed contest against Bivol.

Speaking to the IBA, the Russian’s trainer, Gennadi Mashyanov, confirmed that they want the same, presuming they come through Michael Eifert unscathed this weekend.

“My personal goal right now is this guy Benavidez – who let’s just say, talks a lot. We’ll see what he’s really made of. I’d like him to stop running his mouth. For that to happen, someone has to get in the ring with him and shut it for good.”

Bivol-Eifert takes place at the UMMC Arena in Ekaterinburg, Russia, on Saturday, May 30, and will be available to watch live on DAZN, supported by an undercard that features of a host of Russian fighters. Bivol will defend his IBF and WBA belts, but the WBO will not be on the line after the sanctioning body refused due to the ongoing Ukraine war. Bivol, however, will not be stripped and free to defend the belt in his next bout.

Man Utd are set to give several youngsters from the academy the chance to impress in pre-season friendlies this summer.

Michael Carrick hinted he would give minutes to some players from Manchester United’s academy on the final day of the season, and he duly introduced Shea Lacey and Tyler Fletcher in the second half against Brighton.

Carrick will cast his eye over more young players during pre-season, which will be a chance for academy prospects to stake their claim in the absence of senior players who are competing at this summer’s World Cup.

Historically, United have earmarked the first week of July as the first week of pre-season training at Carrington. This year the World Cup in North America will run between June 11 and July 19.

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When United’s senior players join pre-season plans will depend on the performance of their respective nations at the World Cup, and they will be given time off when they exit the tournament.

With that in mind, here are some of the academy players who could star during pre-season.

Shea Lacey

Lacey made his senior debut against Aston Villa in December and went on to make two positive appearances during Darren Fletcher’s caretaker stint in charge. The youngster made his fourth senior appearance of the campaign when he came on at the Amex Stadium last weekend.

There have long been high hopes for Lacey. The 18-year-old has been training with the first team at Carrington, and staff believe he can contribute to the senior squad next term.

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Tyler Fletcher

Fletcher went under the radar for a while in the academy, with fans talking about his twin brother instead, but his progression was recognised when he was handed this season’s Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year award.

Fletcher made his debut against Tottenham in February. He was named in another nine Premier League matchday squads before getting another opportunity to play on the final day of the campaign.

JJ Gabriel

Gabriel scored 23 goals in 23 league appearances for United’s U18s this season. The 15-year-old has also taken part in several first-team training sessions at Carrington, making a strong impression on senior players.

The teenager picked up the U18 Player of the Season award ahead of seven other nominees, and the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year. It will be worth tuning into MUTV to watch Gabriel in pre-season this summer.

Jim Thwaites

Thwaites was named on United’s bench to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the day after playing 120 minutes for the Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup semi-final. Thwaites was only told that he would travel to the capital to be involved with the first team after the academy game had ended.

The midfielder was also selected to travel to the Republic of Ireland for the first team’s training camp at the beginning of April. He is a dead-ball specialist and has a chance of a permanent senior promotion next season.

Godwill Kukonki

Kukonki scored a superb header in the FA Youth Cup final against City. The talented youngster is one of the academy’s most highly-rated prospects, and he has delivered consistently strong performances at left-back this season, despite his future being at centre-back.

Jack Fletcher

Fletcher made three senior appearances on the bounce against Aston Villa, Newcastle and Wolves in December, but he was last involved in a first-team squad against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The attacking midfielder will be hoping to impress Carrick after contributing six goals and nine assists for the U21s this season.

Dan Armer

Armer, who has captained the U18s during a successful season, has been compared to Harry Maguire. The youngster got the opportunity to travel with the first team on the post-season tour last year, and will be involved in pre-season this summer.

Bendito Mantato

Last season, Ruben Amorim included Mantato in the senior matchday squad for home and away legs of the Europa League semi-finals against Athletic Bilbao. Mantato was subsequently included in the United States tour squad, and was handed his first-team debut against Wolves in December.

The talented youngster picked up an ankle injury in March, which ended his season and meant he missed out on the FA Youth Cup run, but Mantato will be ready to show what he can do by the start of pre-season.

James Overy

Overy caught United scouts’ attention playing for Perth Glory’s senior side in a pre-season friendly against West Ham when he was just 15. He is a full-back with electric pace, and signed for United in the summer of 2024.

The 18-year-old has stepped up to make a handful of appearances for the U21s this season. Overy earned a move to United because of one of his performances in pre-season with Perth Glory, and he’ll try to take any opportunity that comes his way this summer.

The Blue and Blacks, twice runners-up in the Celtic League before the introduction of play-offs, are in new territory.

The club have enjoyed knockout success when winning the Challenge Cup in 2010 and 2018, while they also lifted the 2009 Anglo-Welsh Cup.

This is a first taste of URC play-off pressure and they face a Stormers side who have been knocked out in the quarter-finals for the past two seasons, although both losses were on their travels to Glasgow.

Cardiff’s fine form on their plastic pitch at the Arms Park – eight wins from nine games in the URC – earned qualification, but they now travel to one of the league’s toughest venues.

John Dobson’s side have lost just eight home league fixtures over five seasons, although Connacht provided reason to believe when they upset the odds in round 15.

“The younger guys had no fear, they just ripped into it,” said head coach Stuart Lancaster, who was without Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham, Mack Hansen and Denis Buckley.

Ospreys also won 27-21 in Cape Town in April 2024, but Stormers have won five of six home play-off games, with the only disappointment coming against Munster in the 2023 Grand Final.

So, arguably Cardiff are bigger underdogs at DHL Stadium than Lions at Leinster, Munster at Bulls or Connacht at Glasgow this weekend.

Following his side’s win over the Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar spoke on his bowling plans focusing on leg-before-wicket and bowled dismissals, the role of data in their success and thanked the staff working behind the scenes after sealing back-to-back Indian Premier League (IPL) finals with the franchise. It is 2016 all over again as Bhuvneshwar is wearing a Purple Cap on his head and is heading into another IPL final, except he is no longer with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) anymore, a side which they could face in the final after a decade, if the Men in Orange overcome Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the eliminator and GT in the Qualifier two.

RCB’s 92-run win was a clinical all-round show, with skipper Rajat Patidar’s 33-ball 93*, cameos from Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya and fiery powerplay bowling from Bhuvneshwar and Jacob Duffy earning RCB a shot at making it back-to-back IPL wins.

Speaking after his side’s win, he said, “A lot of credit to the planning behind the scenes. I mean, yes, the experience we (him and Josh Hazlewood) brought, but when it comes to support staff, the small things that they are bringing, it works for us. We are data-informed; if there is something new players are doing, we look into that. But we do not depend 100 per cent on data. But yes, it helps.”

On his and the team’s bowling plans, he added, “If you look at the plan, anything short or fuller, it goes for a boundary. But yes, we make a lot of effort not to give any room and try to get batters out LBW and bowled,” he added.

Bhuvneshwar has taken 26 wickets this season in 15 matches at an average of 18.15 and an economy rate of 8.00, with best figures of 4/23. This is the second-best season with the ball for an RCB bowler, with Harshal Patel’s 32-wicket 2021 season being the best one.

Put to bat first by GT, RCB put on 254/5 on the back of fiery performances from skipper Rajat Patidar (93* in 33 balls, with five fours and nine sixes), Virat Kohli (43 in 25 balls, with five fours and a six) and Krunal Pandya (43 in 28 balls, with five fours and two sixes). In the chase, GT’s batting fell like a pack of cards, with Rahul Tewatia (68 in 43 balls, with eight fours and four sixes) and Jos Buttler (29 in 11 balls, with three fours and two sixes) being the only ones crossing the 20-run mark as GT skittled out for 162 runs. Jacob Duffy (3/39) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/28) broke through GT’s consistent top-order, and it was only downwards for the Titans from there.

This is the fifth time RCB has made it to the IPL finals, third-most after Mumbai Indians (six appearances and five title wins) and Chennai Super Kings (10 appearances and five title wins).

This is also the second-highest win in the history of IPL knockouts, below RR’s 105-run win over Delhi Capitals (DC) back in 2008.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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