LaMelo Ball Scores 23 Points in Season-Ending Loss

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball recorded 23 points (7-for-17 on field goals, 3-for-8 from three, and 6-for-6 on free throws), five assists, and two rebounds in 25 minutes during Friday's Play-In loss to Orlando, ending the Hornets' season. Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 28.0 minutes across 72 games, […]

Jordan Goodwin Fills Stat Sheet in Play-In Win

Phoenix Suns guard/forward Jordan Goodwin recorded 19 points (7-for-11 on field goals, 4-for-7 from three, and 1-for-1 on free throws), nine rebounds, two assists, and six steals in 34 minutes during Friday's win over Golden State, helping Phoenix secure the West's eighth seed. Goodwin averaged 12.6 points, 3.0 three-pointers, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals over […]

Paolo Banchero Powers Magic Into Playoffs

Orlando Magic forward/center Paolo Banchero recorded 25 points (9-for-17 on field goals, 2-for-6 from three, and 5-for-8 on free throws), five rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block in 33 minutes during Friday's Play-In win over Charlotte, sending Orlando into the playoffs as the East's eighth seed. Banchero averaged 20.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and […]

Jalen Green Drops 36 Points to Clinch Playoff Spot

Phoenix Suns guard/forward Jalen Green delivered 36 points (14-for-20 on field goals, 8-for-14 from three), six rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals in 40 minutes during Friday's win over Golden State, sending Phoenix into the playoffs as the West's eighth seed. Green has now scored at least 35 points in back-to-back games and […]

Amen Thompson Off Injury Report for Playoff Opener

Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers after sitting out the regular-season finale. Thompson closed the season on a strong run, averaging 24.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.2 steals over his last five games while logging 38.1 minutes. His ability to contribute […]

Jabari Smith Jr. Cleared After Resting in Season Finale

Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. is not on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers after sitting out the regular-season finale. Smith averaged 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers per game this season, and he enters the playoffs in strong form with 19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.4 […]

Alperen Sengun Cleared for Game 1 Against Lakers

Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers after sitting out the regular-season finale. Sengun averaged 17.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 30.8 minutes over his last five games while posting a 26.7 usage rate, reinforcing his role as Houston's offensive hub. His […]

Aaron Gordon Available for Game 1 Against Timberwolves

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (hamstring) will be available for Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. He is set to return from a two-game absence after the team removed him from the injury report. Denver and Minnesota met four times during the regular season, but Gordon was in the lineup for only two […]

Julius Randle Cleared for Playoffs

Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Julius Randle (hand) isn't listed on the injury report before Saturday's Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets. A hand injury kept Randle sidelined for the last three regular-season games. During the regular season, Randle faced Denver four times and exceeded his averages. Despite being limited to 26.3 percent efficiency from behind […]

Jaxson Hayes Available Saturday Night

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (foot) will return to action on Saturday against the Houston Rockets. The former Texas Longhorn didn't play in the last four regular-season games due to a foot injury, but the Lakers haven't included him on the injury report ahead of their playoff opener. Hayes finished the regular season strong, […]

Grayson Allen Will Play Against Warriors

Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (hamstring) will be in action on Friday against the Golden State Warriors. The team has listed Allen as available after initially tagging him as questionable. Allen has been dealing with a hamstring injury and sat out two of the last three regular-season games. The 30-year-old will add some offensive oomph […]

Kristaps Porzingis Cleared for Friday's Game

Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) will play on Friday night against the Phoenix Suns. He came away from Wednesday's win over the Clippers with an ankle injury and was initially listed as questionable for Friday's tilt. But the team has upgraded Porzingis' status to available ahead of tip-off. Porzingis had a strong all-around […]

Kevin Durant Iffy for Saturday's Game 1

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (knee) is considered questionable for Saturday's tilt against the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran star is bothered by a right knee contusion ahead of his 14th postseason campaign. This doesn't seem like a very serious issue, but if Durant misses the game, guys like Tari Eason and Josh Okogie are […]

Mark Williams Won't Play Friday Night

Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's decisive Play-In Tournament matchup against the Golden State Warriors. After missing two of the last three regular-season games, Williams logged 22 minutes in Tuesday's play-in loss to Portland, but his foot flared up during the contest. Phoenix initially listed Williams as questionable for […]

Spencer Jones is Questionable for Game 1 on Saturday

Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Saturday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Fellow teammate Peyton Watson (hamstring) has already been ruled out for Game 1, but Jones has a chance to play through his injury. The absence of Watson could potentially mean a bigger role for Jones, assuming he's […]

Peyton Watson is Ruled Out for Game 1 on Saturday

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Watson missed the final five games of the regular season due to a lingering hamstring issue. He has been limited to non-contact work in practice. With that being said, Watson hasn't made enough progress to get […]

Moussa Diabate is Available on Friday

Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (hip) is available to play ahead of Friday's Play-In game against the Orlando Magic. Diabate will shake the questionable tag and suit up for this elimination contest. The big man finished with eight points and 14 rebounds during the first Play-In victory over the Miami Heat. He played 36 minutes […]

Ayo Dosunmu is Available for Saturday's Game

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (calf) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's playoff contest against the Denver Nuggets. Dosunmu missed the regular season finale due to a calf issue, but he appears to be fine now. The Wolves are glad to have Dosunmu back for the beginning of this series. Over […]

Anthony Edwards Questionable for Saturday's Action

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) is questionable for Saturday's Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets. Due to a knee issue, Edwards played in only three of the last 14 regular-season games, and it looks like he still hasn't fully recovered. Minnesota would be in serious trouble against the Nuggets if Edwards can't play. Mike […]

Jonathan Isaac Remains Out Friday

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) will miss Friday's Play-In Tournament Game against the Charlotte Hornets. The team has downgraded his status from questionable to out. Isaac is struggling to overcome a left knee sprain, having last played on March 12. That said, the Magic can cope just fine with his absence. During the regular […]

Jarrett Allen Removed From Injury Report Ahead of Playoffs

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (knee) will suit up for Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. Allen returned from a right knee injury late in the regular season, but the team elected to keep him out of the final two games. Evan Mobley (calf), who was rested for the regular-season finale, will also […]

Donovan Mitchell Good to Go for Playoff Opener

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors. The seven-time All-Star sat out Cleveland's last two regular-season games to manage an ankle injury. Mitchell has built a reputation as an outstanding postseason performer, averaging 28.3 points through 63 career playoff games. […]

Mitchell Robinson Ready for Game 1 Against Hawks

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) will be in the lineup on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks. He didn't play in New York's final two regular-season games to manage an ankle injury. Robinson has done a good job as a backup big man all season, and Atlanta knows firsthand how effective he can be. […]

OG Anunoby Cleared to Play Saturday

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (ankle) will play in Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. He hurt his left ankle during the final week of the regular season and sat out Sunday's loss to Charlotte. Fortunately, Anunoby won't have to miss the postseason opener, as the team hasn't included his name on […]

Jalen Brunson Available for Game 1 Saturday

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson (ankle) will be active on Saturday in Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks. The star guard has managed an ankle injury late in the season and didn't play in Sunday's loss to the Charlotte Hornets, but the team has removed him from the injury report ahead of the […]

Thomas Bryant Won't Play Saturday

Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (calf) will remain out on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors. He suffered a left calf strain late during the regular season and won't be in the lineup for a fifth consecutive game. Bryant has practiced in a limited capacity this week, so it's possible he can return later in the […]

Immanuel Quickley Questionable for Game 1

Toronto Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday's playoff opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He exited Toronto's regular-season finale early due to a tight right hamstring. The team considers him day-to-day. If Quickley isn't available on Saturday, Jamal Shead and Ja'Kobe Walter will compete for a starting role. Between the […]

Kristaps Porzingis Expected to Play Friday

Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) is expected to play on Friday against the Phoenix Suns, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. The Latvian veteran remains questionable on the injury report, but he appears ready to play through right ankle soreness. After struggling late during the regular season, Porzingis opened the Play-In Tournament with a strong […]

Joel Embiid Officially Out for Game 1 Against Celtics

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (abdomen) has been officially ruled out for Sunday's Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, The Athletic's Tony Jones reports. "I'm just worried about Sunday, and I know he's not playing in that one. So I'm just trying to put together a great game plan for Sunday," 76ers head coach Nick […]

Ja Morant Trade Talks Likely to Resume

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (elbow) is expected to be shopped again this offseason as the franchise continues its rebuild, with league executives believing a deal remains possible despite recent struggles. Morant played just 20 games this season before being shut down with a UCL sprain and averaged 19.5 points on 41.0 percent shooting, a […]