The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Thunder, Cavs

n this edition of The Autopsy Report, The Baseline NBA Podcast examines the shocking Conference Finals exits of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers. After dominant regular seasons and championship aspirations, both teams fell short of reaching the NBA Finals.

We break down what went wrong, from coaching decisions and roster construction to playoff adjustments, star performances, and the critical moments that altered their postseason fate. Were these simply growing pains for two contenders on the rise, or do their Conference Finals exits expose deeper issues that must be addressed this offseason?

We analyze the questions, concerns, and next steps facing both franchises as they look toward the future.

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