April 25, 2025
New York Knicks center
Karl-Anthony Towns posted his best offensive performance of the first-round series on Thursday. The former Timberwolf registered 31 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks while shooting 10-for-18 from the floor and 4-for-8 from three. After dropping Game 2 at home, the Knicks needed this two-point victory to gain their home-court advantage again. This game bumped Towns' averages up to 21.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. Game 4 tips off on Sunday in Detroit before returning to New York for at least one game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
April 24, 2025
Boston Celtics guard
Jrue Holiday (hamstring) has been added to the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Friday's matchup against the Orlando Magic. The two-time NBA champion is dealing with a right hamstring strain. Holiday could join
Jayson Tatum (wrist) on the sidelines, meaning Boston may have to play without two regular starters on Friday night.
Sam Hauser is likely to replace Holiday in the starting unit, while
Payton Pritchard will get more work off the bench.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 24, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jayson Tatum (wrist) has been tagged as doubtful for Friday's Game 3 against the Orlando Magic. He also had the designation on the initial injury report ahead of Game 2 before missing the first postseason game of his career. It appears likely that the Celtics will remain without Tatum on Friday, which will keep
Al Horford in the starting unit. The veteran big man produced a solid 32-minute shift in Wednesday's Game 2 victory, posting nine points, 10 rebounds, one assist, and one block. Tatum's absence also increases the offensive usage of
Jaylen Brown and
Kristaps Porzingis, who scored 56 of the team's 109 points on Wednesday night.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 24, 2025
Detroit Pistons forward/center
Isaiah Stewart (knee) will not suit up for Game 3 against the New York Knicks on Thursday. The team has downgraded him from questionable to out. It is uncertain whether Stewart will be able to participate in the series going forward. Jalen Duran, who has averaged 9.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks across the first two games, will handle the majority of the workload at center, with
Paul Reed serving as his backup off the bench.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 24, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro was the leading scorer in Wednesday's 121-112 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, finishing with 33 points on 14-for-24 shooting. Over 40 minutes of action, Herro notched six rebounds and five assists, going 4-for-11 from three-point range. Sitting in a 2-0 deficit in the series, the Heat are in trouble, but Herro has been on fire during the postseason. Since the start of the Play-In Tournament, he has averaged 30.5 points. With him at the top of his game, there is still hope for Miami to take the series back to Cleveland.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 24, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell heated up in the final quarter and finished Wednesday's 121-112 victory over the Miami Heat with a team-high 30 points on 10-for-21 shooting. He tallied 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, including 10 over the final four minutes when Miami cut it to a two-point game. The Cavaliers star had a busy night, totaling six rebounds, six assists, and one steal over 36 minutes of action. Mitchell also had 30 points in the series opener and looks to be in fine form despite sitting out the end of the regular season due to an ankle injury.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 24, 2025
Orlando Magic forward
Paolo Banchero recorded 32 points on 12-for-25 shooting in Wednesday's 109-100 loss to the Boston Celtics. He finished 2-for-6 from three-point range and flirted with a triple-double, amassing nine rebounds and seven assists along with two blocks in 43 minutes. Banchero has been exceptional at the start of the postseason, but Orlando finds itself 2-0 down in the first-round series. The 22-year-old has averaged 34.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals, shooting 46.2 percent from beyond the arc. It seems the Magic may need even more from Banchero to make this a competitive series.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 24, 2025
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown notched a game-high 36 points on Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic, guiding his team to a 109-100 victory. With
Jayson Tatum (wrist) sidelined for the contest, Brown needed to take on more offensive duties, and he delivered one of the best postseason performances of his career. His line included 10 rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 42 minutes, as Brown shot 12-for-19 from the floor and an eye-popping 5-for-7 from downtown. Brown battled a knee injury late in the regular season but appears to be 100 percent, at least based on his effort in Wednesday's win. He will be leaned on heavily again on offense in Game 3 on Friday night if Tatum misses additional time.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 24, 2025
Houston Rockets guard
Jalen Green led all scorers with 38 points on 13-for-25 shooting on Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors, helping the team tie the series at one with a 109-94 victory. The 23-year-old had a rough seven-point outing in his postseason debut on Sunday but looked like a completely different player in Game 2, hitting 8-for-18 from outside and completing his work with four rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Green tied a franchise record with eight triples made in a postseason game and became the youngest Rocket in history with 35-plus points in the playoffs. Houston will hope that this marks the end of Green's offensive slump, which included three regular-season games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 24, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard
Brandin Podziemski (illness) played only 14 minutes in Wednesday's Game 2 loss to the Houston Rockets. The 22-year-old battled a stomach bug, finishing scoreless with five shot attempts. Golden State added Podziemski late to the injury report with a questionable tag. He was upgraded to available before tip-off, but Podziemski clearly wasn't in good condition to play, missing the entire second quarter. The Warriors removed him from the contest with 9:44 left in the fourth quarter. Podziemski will now have two days to recover from the illness before the Warriors and Rockets meet in San Francisco on Saturday for Game 3.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 24, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jimmy Butler III (pelvis) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday after experiencing a hard fall in Wednesday's Game 2 against the Houston Rockets. The six-time All-Star was limited to eight minutes in the contest, leaving the floor with 1:51 remaining in the first quarter. According to
Draymond Green, Butler told his teammates that "he feels good." Butler will have two days to recover before Game 3. His exit on Wednesday opened the door for
Jonathan Kuminga to re-enter the rotation. Playing for the first time since April 11, Kuminga recorded 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one block in 26 minutes. He may play a larger role again in Game 3 if Butler is unavailable.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 23, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard
Brandin Podziemski (illness) will be available to play on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. The second-year player was a late addition to the injury report due to an illness, but Golden State has upgraded his status from questionable to available. This is great news for the Warriors, who are aiming to grab a 2-0 series lead on the road. Podziemski has been a regular starter since mid-February and began the first-round series with a strong performance on Sunday. He finished a 95-85 victory with 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, sinking three attempts from downtown.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 23, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
Michael Porter Jr. (shoulder) is listed as questionable on the injury report for Thursday's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. After suffering a left shoulder sprain in Game 2 of the series on Monday night, Porter Jr. was able to participate in Wednesday's practice session, and Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman has expressed optimism regarding Porter Jr.'s availability for Thursday's game. However, the questionable designation leaves his status uncertain for Game 3.
Peyton Watson and
Russell Westbrook are candidates to start instead of Porter Jr., while
Jalen Pickett may also assume a more significant role in the rotation.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 23, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Davion Mitchell will start Wednesday's Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. After taking a heavy 121-100 beating in Game 1, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has decided to replace
Alec Burks in the first unit with Mitchell. Mitchell's performance was one of only a few bright spots for Miami in Game 1, as he tallied 18 points, four rebounds, nine assists, and one steal. During the regular season, Mitchell made 37 starts, averaging 8.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 29.6 minutes.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Serena Winters
April 23, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard
Brandin Podziemski (illness) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's Game 2 against the Houston Rockets. He is a late addition to the injury report due to an illness. Podziemski has played well in recent weeks and was also a major factor in Golden State's Game 1 victory, notching 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Buddy Hield and
Gary Payton II will be expected to contribute more if Podziemski is unable to play on Wednesday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Brett Siegel
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