NBA conference semis: Thunder-Lakers, Spurs-Wolves, Knicks-76ers

Preview capsules on the NBA's conference semifinal series:

Season series: Timberwolves, 2-1.

Schedule: Game 1 at San Antonio, Monday; Game 2 at San Antonio, Wednesday; Game 3 at Minnesota, Friday; Game 4 at Minnesota, May 10; Game 5 at San Antonio, May 12 (if necessary); Game 6 at Minnesota, May 15 (if necessary); Game 7 at San Antonio, May 17 (if necessary).

How they got here: San Antonio beat No. 7 Portland 4-1, Minnesota beat No. 3 Denver 4-2.

Storyline: Minnesota rallied in the first round after losing Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles tendon) and Anthony Edwards (knee) to injuries. Edwards may be able to play at some point in this series — “week to week” is the official word at this point — and that would give the Timberwolves a serious boost. The Spurs had a penchant for getting into a bit of trouble at times in Round 1, though they rallied and wound up winning in five games. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama's light only seems to get brighter.

Prediction: Spurs in 6.

Season series: Thunder, 4-0.

Schedule: Game 1 at Oklahoma City, Tuesday; Game 2 at Oklahoma City, Thursday; Game 3 at Los Angeles, Saturday; Game 4 at Los Angeles, May 11; Game 5 at Oklahoma City, May 13 (if necessary); Game 6 at Los Angeles, May 16 (if necessary); Game 7 at Oklahoma City, May 18 (if necessary).

How they got here: Lakers beat No. 5 Houston 4-2, Oklahoma City beat No. 8 Phoenix 4-0.

Storyline: Game 1 of this series will be the 299th career playoff game for Lakers star LeBron James, which is far more than anyone else in league history — and is certain to stay that way for a long time. The 41-year-old James averaged 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.3 assists in the Round 1 win over Houston, and he'll likely need to be that good or better to give the Lakers a chance in this series. The Thunder are the defending champions, have the MVP favorite in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and seem to have easily navigated the issues that come with a title defense. Will Luka Doncic return for the Lakers? That could change things later in the series.

Prediction: Thunder in 6.

Season series: Tied, 2-2.

Schedule: Game 1 at New York, Monday; Game 2 at New York, Wednesday; Game 3 at Philadelphia, Friday; Game 4 at Philadelphia, May 10; Game 5 at New York, May 12 (if necessary); Game 6 at Philadelphia, May 14 (if necessary); Game 7 at New York, May 17 (if necessary).

How they got here: 76ers beat No. 2 Boston 4-3, Knicks beat No. 6 Atlanta 4-2.

Storyline: Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was asked what changed over the final three games of the Boston-Philadelphia series — all Boston losses — and his answer was that Joel Embiid came back for the 76ers. Simple, but true. When Embiid is effective, the 76ers can beat anybody. When he's laboring, they tend to struggle. Embiid had 86 points in the last three games of that Philly-Boston series. Meanwhile, New York is coming off a historic 51-point, series-clinching rout of Atlanta to get back to Round 2. The Knicks also won the last three games of that series, so both teams are coming in bursting with momentum.

Prediction: If Embiid stays like this, 76ers in 7.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum (right) and Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (left) embrace following Philadelphia's victory in Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) high fives fans as he leaves the court in the second half during Game 6 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates a scores against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) stands as the national anthem plays before Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has killed three people and sickened at least three others, the World Health Organization said Sunday.

In a statement to The Associated Press, the WHO said an investigation was underway but that at least one case of hantavirus had been confirmed. Hantavirus, found throughout the world, is spread by contact with urine or feces of infected rodents, most often rats or mice.

One of the patients was in intensive care in a South African hospital, the U.N.'s health agency said, adding that it was working with authorities to evacuate two other passengers with symptoms from the ship.

“Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations,” WHO said. “Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.”

Hantavirus infections are typically linked to exposure to the feces or urine of infected rodents, WHO said. While rare, WHO said they can be spread between people and they can lead to severe respiratory illness.

There is no specific treatment or cure, but early medical attention can increase the chance of survival.

WHO didn’t identify the vessel, but South African media reports said the outbreak happened on the MV Hondius cruise ship while it was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa.

The MarineTraffic global shipping website identified the vessel as a Dutch-flagged passenger cruise ship. It located it as docked in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Sunday night.

South African media, quoting South African health department spokesperson Foster Mohale, said the first victim, an elderly man, died on the ship. His wife later died in a South African hospital, Mohale said.

Hantavirus was in the news after the late actor Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus infection in New Mexico last year. Hackman died a week later at their home.

FILE - In this June 15, 2010 file photo, a rat wanders the subway tracks at Union Square in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)