SAN ANTONIO — Ron Harper, father of San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper and a five-time NBA champion, suggested players should physically punish opponents who flop during the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Harper posted on X after Game 3 on May 22, 2026: “I wish players would start stepping on players as the flop hands chest fingers chest make them pay a price.”

The comment came after the Thunder defeated the Spurs 123-108 to take a 2-1 series lead. The game featured multiple instances of physical contact, foul calls and post-game debate over flopping and officiating.

Game 3 Details

The Thunder overcame a 15-0 deficit early in the contest. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points and went 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. Jared McCain added a playoff career-high 24 points off the bench as Oklahoma City’s reserves scored a playoff-record 76 points.

Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 26 points. Devin Vassell scored 20 points and De’Aaron Fox added 15 points in his series debut. Dylan Harper remained sidelined with a right adductor injury.

Technical fouls were issued in the second half after a hard foul on Stephon Castle involving Ajay Mitchell and Devin Vassell.

Harper’s Background

Ron Harper won NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000 and 2001. He played 15 seasons known for physical defense and toughness.

His son Dylan Harper, a rookie guard for the Spurs, has been limited in the series due to injury. Dylan Harper started Games 1 and 2 in place of De’Aaron Fox.

NBA Flopping Rule

The NBA has a rule allowing referees to assess a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul for flopping and award one free throw to the opposing team. Critics argue the penalty is not strong enough to deter players from exaggerating contact, particularly in playoff games where fouls can shift momentum.

The league has increased fines for repeated offenders in recent seasons, but the issue remains a frequent topic of discussion.

Series Physicality

The Western Conference Finals between the Thunder and Spurs have featured notable physical defense and complaints about foul-baiting. Oklahoma City has utilized its depth and defensive versatility, while San Antonio has relied heavily on Victor Wembanyama.

The Thunder lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.

Broader Context

Flopping has been a long-standing issue in the NBA. The league introduced specific penalties to address it, but many former players and observers believe the current enforcement does not sufficiently discourage the practice.

Ron Harper’s comment reflected frustration shared by some viewers and former players regarding the balance between physical play and protection of players in the modern game.

The Spurs-Thunder series has drawn attention for its intensity, with both teams featuring young cores and strong defensive capabilities. Oklahoma City, the defending champions, have emphasized bench production and adjustments after Game 1.

Gokaldas Exports reported a net profit of Rs 36 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 (Q4 FY26), up 146% sequentially from Rs 15 crore in the previous quarter, reflecting an improvement in operating performance amid a challenging trade environment.

On a year-on-year basis, however, profit was lower than Rs 53 crore reported in Q4 FY25.

The company also reported a 9% quarter-on-quarter rise in consolidated total income to Rs 1,087 crore, compared with Rs 998 crore in the preceding quarter, aided by a recovery in its Africa business and steady performance in India despite tariff-related disruptions. The year-on-year total income growth stood at 5%, over Rs 1,035 crore recorded in Q4 of FY25.

The apparel export sector has spent much of the past year adjusting to shifts in US trade policy. In April 2025, US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on trading partners as part of a broader effort to reshape trade relationships, creating uncertainty across global supply chains and export markets.

“Disruption due to penal US tariffs and volatile geopolitical events impacted our costs and margin during the year. Exceptional teamwork, strong customer relationships and relentless execution in the face of adversities helped us deliver a superior business performance,” said Sivaramakrishnan Ganapathi, vice chairman and managing director of Gokaldas Exports.

Operating performance also strengthened during the quarter, with EBITDA rising 40% sequentially to Rs 135 crore from Rs 96 crore in Q3 FY26. On a year-on-year basis, EBITDA declined 5% from Rs 142 crore, while margins stood at 12.4% compared with 13.7% a year earlier. Sequentially, margins expanded by 275 basis points, supported by productivity gains and tighter cost management initiatives.
For the full year FY26, total income rose 4% to Rs 4,065 crore, while EBITDA increased 2% to Rs 434 crore. EBITDA margin for FY26 stood at 10.7%, marginally lower than 10.8% in the previous year.The company said India operations grew 2% year-on-year during the quarter despite tariff-related challenges, even as apparel exports from India declined by 10%. Africa operations grew 17% year-on-year following the renewal of AGOA and comparatively more favourable tariff treatment for the region.

NTPC reported a consolidated net profit at Rs 10,615 crore in the March-ended quarter versus Rs 7,897 crore in the year ago period, implying a 34% growth. The hospital chain posted a marginal revenue growth of 0.29% to Rs 49,688 crore in Q4FY26 versus Rs 49,834 crore posted by the company in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

The state-run power company’s board also recommended a final dividend of Rs 3.50 per share for the financial year 2025-26, subject to the approval of the shareholders in the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). The final dividend is in addition to the first interim dividend at the rate of Rs 2.75 per share.

The PAT surged 90% on a sequential basis over Rs 5,597 crore in Q3FY26 while the topline increased 8% compared to Rs 45,846 crore in the October-December quarter of FY26.

The company generated revenues of Rs 48,548 crore in Q4FY26 versus Rs 44,658 crore in Q3FY26 and Rs 49,353 crore.

The PAT for the full financial year stood at Rs 27,546 crore, up 15% from Rs 23,953 crore in FY25 while the revenue was marginally down by 0.40% over Rs 18,8138 crore in FY25.

The company incurred expenses of Rs 43,238 crore in the quarter under review versus Rs 39,533 crore in Q3FY26 and Rs 43,391 crore in Q4FY26. The expenses were up 9% on a quarter-on-quarter basis while declining by 0.35% YoY.
The expenses were made on the items like fuel cost, electricity purchased for trading, employee benefits expense and finance cost, among other things.

(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

LOS ANGELES — Erika Jayne settled a $25 million civil lawsuit filed by the trustee for her estranged husband Tom Girardi’s bankrupt law firm just before the case was set to go to trial, according to court records from the United States Central District of California.

The settlement, reached on or around May 22, 2026, resulted in all pending motions and hearing dates being vacated and taken off calendar. The settlement amount was not disclosed in court filings.

The lawsuit stemmed from the 2020 involuntary bankruptcy of Girardi Keese, the prominent personal injury law firm once led by Tom Girardi. The trustee accused Jayne of using more than $25 million from the firm for personal expenses through her company EJ Global. Jayne has long denied the allegations and has not been criminally charged in the matter.

Background on the Case

The legal battle began in 2021 when the trustee sued Jayne. Prosecutors previously alleged that Tom Girardi operated Girardi Keese like a Ponzi scheme from 2010 to 2020, providing false information to clients about payments. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California claimed Girardi diverted tens of millions of dollars to illegitimate expenses, including more than $25 million to Jayne’s company.

A jury convicted Girardi on four counts of wire fraud. He was sentenced to more than seven years in prison and began serving his sentence in July 2025. He was also ordered to pay $2,310,247 in restitution and a $35,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said at the time of sentencing, “This self-proclaimed ‘champion of justice’ was nothing more than a thief and a liar who conned his vulnerable clients out of the millions of dollars.”

Jayne and Girardi’s Relationship

Erika Jayne, 54, a star on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” met Tom Girardi in 1998. They were married for 21 years until Jayne announced their separation in November 2020, shortly before news of Girardi’s legal troubles emerged. The couple’s split was described in court documents as part of allegations of a “sham” divorce to shield assets.

Girardi, 86, was a well-known attorney who led the 1993 groundwater contamination lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric that inspired the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich.”

Jayne’s Recent Comments

Jayne addressed the ongoing lawsuit during part one of the “RHOBH” Season 15 reunion. She said, “You can file for bankruptcy, or you can fight it out in court. You can go to trial, you can cut a deal, you can die in the streets. I have no idea.”

The reality star has maintained that she was unaware of the extent of Girardi’s alleged misconduct during their marriage. She has continued filming and promoting projects while navigating the legal proceedings.

Current Status

With the settlement, the civil case against Jayne has concluded. The resolution comes more than five years after the initial bankruptcy filing and four years after the trustee filed suit. No further court dates are scheduled in the matter.

Girardi remains incarcerated in a Los Angeles prison. His conviction and sentencing concluded the criminal case against him related to the law firm’s operations.

Broader Context

The case drew significant public attention due to Jayne’s high-profile status on Bravo’s reality television franchise and Girardi’s former prominence in legal circles. The developments highlighted issues involving high-net-worth divorces, law firm bankruptcies and allegations of asset diversion.

Jayne has continued her entertainment career throughout the legal process. She has released music, made television appearances and participated in “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” reunions while addressing aspects of the case on camera.

The settlement avoids a public trial that was expected to examine financial transactions between Girardi Keese and Jayne’s businesses. Details of the agreement, including any payment terms, remain confidential under the terms typically associated with such resolutions.

Timeline of Key Events

• 1998: Jayne and Girardi meet and later marry.
• 2010-2020: Period during which prosecutors alleged Girardi operated the firm improperly.
• November 2020: Jayne announces separation.
• 2020: Involuntary bankruptcy filing for Girardi Keese.
• 2021: Trustee sues Jayne for alleged misuse of $25 million.
• 2025: Girardi convicted and sentenced to prison.
• May 2026: Civil lawsuit against Jayne settled before trial.

The resolution marks the end of the high-profile civil litigation tied to one of Los Angeles’ most prominent legal scandals in recent years. Jayne’s representatives have not issued additional public statements beyond her reunion comments following the settlement.

TUCSON, Ariz. — A retired Colorado detective has proposed a “wrench attack” theory to explain the abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from her Catalina Foothills home near Tucson on Feb. 1, 2026.

Lisa Miller, a former law enforcement official trained in hostage negotiation by the FBI, shared the theory during an interview with Fox News on May 23, 2026. The search for Guthrie has entered its fourth month with no arrests and no confirmed suspects.

Authorities believe Guthrie was taken from her home during the night of Jan. 31 or early Feb. 1. The FBI released surveillance footage showing a masked man wearing gloves at her door on the night of the disappearance. The suspect has been referred to by some as “porch guy.”

‘Wrench Attack’ Theory Details

Miller described the theory as originating from a 2009 comic book about a hacker seeking crypto access. In the comic, the line “We’ll just drug him and use the $5 wrench and beat him till we get the password” inspired real-world crimes, according to Miller.

She explained that such attacks typically involve a mastermind behind a computer identifying wealthy targets through social media. The mastermind then hires street-level criminals to carry out home invasions, using violence or threats to obtain passwords or access to financial accounts.

Miller noted that similar incidents have occurred frequently in Europe, sometimes involving family members being abducted and fingers being cut off to force compliance. She suggested the Nancy Guthrie case may follow this pattern, with the masked suspect acting as hired muscle while a more sophisticated operator directs from afar.

The retired detective described the masked man’s actions in the surveillance footage as amateurish, calling him a “bit of a doofus” based on his dress and how he carried his firearm. She contrasted this with elements of sophistication she believes exist in the overall kidnapping.

Savannah Guthrie’s Messages

Miller pointed to video messages released by Nancy Guthrie’s daughter, “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, along with siblings Camron and Annie. In those appeals, Savannah urged the kidnappers to return her mother safely.

The former detective said some of the language used in the messages aligned with hostage negotiation training. She suggested the FBI would not have asked the family to record the videos unless they believed there was substance to initial ransom communications.

Investigation Status

As of May 23, 2026, no suspects have been named and no arrests made in the case. The FBI and local authorities continue to investigate. The family has offered a substantial reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.

Miller theorized that the mastermind behind the abduction could be located in another country and may have used encrypted apps like Signal to coordinate with street-level operatives. She expressed hope that someone with knowledge of the crime would come forward.

Background on the Case

Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on Feb. 1, 2026. Investigators believe she was abducted from her residence. The case has drawn national attention due to Savannah Guthrie’s prominent role on the “Today” show.

The family has cooperated with law enforcement while making public appeals. Civilian searches, including those conducted by YouTubers, have continued in the Tucson area. One such search on May 7 led to the discovery of an ancient human bone unrelated to the case.

Expert Analysis

Miller, who has experience in major crimes, suggested the perpetrators may have targeted the family due to perceived wealth connected to Savannah Guthrie’s public profile and television appearances. She noted that Nancy Guthrie had also appeared on television.

The theory highlights a potential disconnect between the apparent amateur nature of the porch surveillance and more calculated elements of the overall crime. Miller emphasized that masterminds in such schemes often remain shielded behind layers of separation from direct action.

Public and Media Response

The Nancy Guthrie case has generated widespread media coverage and public interest. Discussions on social media platforms have included speculation about motives and the masked suspect’s identity. Law enforcement has urged the public to report any relevant tips while cautioning against interfering with active investigations.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI continue to process leads. No major breakthroughs have been publicly announced since the initial release of surveillance footage.

Family Impact

Savannah Guthrie has balanced her professional responsibilities on the “Today” show with personal efforts to find her mother. The family has described Nancy Guthrie as a loving matriarch and has asked for privacy while the investigation proceeds.

The case has raised awareness about elder safety and home security. Local authorities in the Tucson area have reminded residents to review home surveillance systems and report suspicious activity.

Ongoing Search Efforts

Volunteer searches continue in desert areas around Tucson. Professional teams have utilized specialized equipment and dogs in targeted zones. The rugged terrain and time elapsed since the disappearance present significant challenges.

Miller concluded her analysis by stating she does not believe the perpetrator is invincible and that a break in the case could come from someone with inside knowledge coming forward.

SAN ANTONIO — The Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from a 15-point first-quarter deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 123-108 on May 22, 2026, at Frost Bank Center and take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals.

The Thunder outscored the Spurs 97-77 after the opening period. Oklahoma City’s bench produced 76 points, a standout contribution in the victory.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 26 points and 12 assists. Jared McCain scored 24 points off the bench, and Jaylin Williams added 18 points, including five three-pointers.

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Victor Wembanyama paced the Spurs with 26 points. The Spurs’ bench managed only 23 points in the contest.

Game Flow and Key Runs

The Spurs jumped to an early 15-point lead in the first quarter. The Thunder responded with strong play in the second and third quarters, outscoring San Antonio 69-53 in those periods.

Oklahoma City controlled the tempo after the slow start, leveraging depth and defensive pressure. The Thunder shot efficiently and forced turnovers that led to transition opportunities.

Injury Context

Jalen Williams missed the game for the Thunder due to a right hamstring strain. For the Spurs, De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper were both questionable entering the contest with ankle and adductor issues, respectively. Their availability impacted San Antonio’s backcourt depth.

The Spurs relied on Victor Wembanyama and supporting cast members amid the guard injuries. Harrison Barnes and Jordan McLaughlin saw increased minutes in the backcourt rotation.

Series Background

The series opened with the Spurs winning Game 1 in double overtime 122-115 in Oklahoma City, powered by Wembanyama’s 41 points and 24 rebounds along with Harper’s 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and seven steals.

In Game 2 on May 20, the Thunder responded with a 122-113 home victory behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30 points and nine assists. Harper left that game in the third quarter with the adductor injury.

Statistical Breakdown

The Thunder finished with balanced scoring contributions. Their bench dominance proved decisive, with multiple reserves reaching double figures. Oklahoma City improved to 2-1 in the series with the road win.

San Antonio shot well in stretches but struggled to sustain momentum. The Spurs’ second-half output could not match the Thunder’s depth. Rebounding and assist numbers favored Oklahoma City in key statistical categories.

Notable Performances

Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated the offense efficiently despite early defensive attention. McCain’s scoring outburst provided a major spark for the visitors. Williams’ three-point shooting stretched the floor.

For the Spurs, Wembanyama delivered another strong outing but received limited consistent support from the perimeter. The team’s guard absences limited ball movement and creation at times.

Coaching and Strategy

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault utilized deep rotations to maintain pressure. The strategy of wearing down the Spurs through bench waves proved effective over the 48 minutes.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson managed limited guard options and leaned heavily on Wembanyama in the paint. Adjustments in the second half focused on cutting into the deficit but came up short.

Home-Court Atmosphere

The game marked the first Western Conference Finals contest at Frost Bank Center in 2026. Legends David Robinson and Tim Duncan attended the matchup. The crowd provided vocal support early but witnessed the Thunder’s comeback.

Broader Playoff Implications

The victory gave Oklahoma City the series lead for the first time. Historical data indicates teams winning Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in such series advance at a high rate. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, in San Antonio.

The Thunder, as defending champions, have shown resilience through injuries. The Spurs have demonstrated competitiveness in the postseason despite health challenges to key guards.

Upcoming Schedule

Game 4 remains in San Antonio. The series could return to Oklahoma City for Game 5 if necessary. Both teams will monitor injury recoveries closely heading into the next contest.

Full game highlights circulated widely on platforms following the final buzzer, showcasing the Thunder’s bench scoring runs and key defensive stops. The 123-108 margin reflected Oklahoma City’s control after the initial Spurs surge.