4 hours agoBoston Celtics center Luke Kornet (wrist) is unlikely to suit up for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Pacers on Saturday night. Kristaps Porzingis (calf) has been sidelined for nearly a month because of a right Soleus strain, so Kornet has been getting more work. However, he injured his wrist in Game 2 on Saturday night and didn't return. With that said, there's a chance Xavier Tillman Sr. and Oshae Brissett could get on the floor more than they have during the playoffs. But there's also the possibility of the Celtics going small, resulting in more minutes for Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser. Of course, Al Horford will remain starting in the middle.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 hours agoIndiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) is questionable for Saturday's Eastern Conference Finals showdown with Boston. He flourished in the series opener on Tuesday, amassing a 25-point, 10-assist double-double with three steals and one block. Unfortunately, Haliburton tweaked his hamstring in Game 2 on Thursday night and didn't return to the contest. Of course, the situation isn't good news, especially since the 24-year-old missed time in January because of the same ailment. But with the Pacers down two games in the series, Haliburton will likely do all he can to get out there. However, there's a good chance he won't be available, opening the door for T.J. McConnell to enter the starting lineup.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 hours agoAccording to Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman, guard Donovan Mitchell is "happy" to be on the team. "My exit interview with him was really good in that he was talking about the future and how excited he was about the team and organization," said Altman while speaking to the media on Friday. "From his own words, he says he's happy and likes it here." The 29-year-old has flourished in Cleveland, and he finished his most recent season by averaging 26.6 points while amassing career-highs in assists (6.1), rebounds (5.1), and steals (1.8). He's searching for a lucrative extension, which the team will likely offer this summer. From a fantasy standpoint, Mitchell is as productive as it gets. However, he's missed 41 games in the last two seasons, negatively impacting his fantasy value for the 2024-25 campaign.Source: Michael Scotto
11 hours agoAccording to Fred Katz of the New York Times, the Knicks aren't looking to trade forward Julius Randle. However, the team could move him, especially if it means landing a superstar to pair with Jalen Brunson (hand). Randle has been productive in his last five seasons with the Knicks, and he finished 2023-24 by averaging 24.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old was limited to 46 games and underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in April. Randle is eligible to sign an extension on August 3. But if New York has a chance to upgrade the roster significantly, his tenure in the Big Apple might be over before the 2024-25 campaign begins. With that said, outside of this year, Randle has stayed relatively healthy, making him an ideal fantasy asset. On the other hand, he has some areas to address, with his 33.3% career three-point shooting being one of them.Source: Fred Katz
24 hours agoMinnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (calf) is questionable for Friday's matchup against the Mavs. He has a right Soleus strain, which kept him off the floor for Game 5 in the previous series with Denver. However, the veteran was available for the final two games of the Western Conference semifinals. He was also on the floor for Monday's loss to Dallas. But Conley had just six points, shooting 2-for-7 from the field and 1-for-6 from deep. While the 36-year-old will likely be active for Game 2, he's a risky DFS option, considering he's not fully healthy.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 day agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) exited Thursday's loss to the Celtics due to left hamstring soreness. It was initially reported Haliburton was dealing with a left leg issue. However, the most recent update isn't good, considering the All-Star missed 10 games in January because of the same injury. With that said, he will likely appear on the injury report heading into Game 3 on Saturday. On the other hand, there's a good chance Haliburton won't be out there, meaning T.J. McConnell would handle things at the one.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
1 day agoIndiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (leg) won't return to Thursday's postseason meeting with the Celtics. There's not much information surrounding the nature of the ailment, with ESPN's Lisa Salters reporting the All-Star is battling leg soreness. Haliburton had a 25-point, 10-assist double-double with three steals in Game 1. But he'd finish Game 2 with 10 points and eight assists in 28 minutes of action. Of course, the biggest concern is his availability for Game 3. But if Haliburton can't suit up for that one, T.J. McConnell will see a surge in DFS potential.Source: Lisa Salters
1 day agoDallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) is probable for Friday's postseason encounter against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The multi-time All-Star has been dealing with various ailments for weeks. However, he'll be on the floor for Game 2, barring a setback. But just because Doncic is available doesn't mean the injuries won't continue to impact his play on the floor, especially since he shot 12-for-26 from the field and 3-for-10 from deep in the Game 1 win on Wednesday night.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 day agoBoston Celtics center Luke Kornet (wrist) is questionable to return to Thursday's playoff meeting against Indiana. Kornet, who has been getting more action without Kristaps Porzingis (calf) in the lineup, lasted only five minutes before exiting with a sprained left wrist. If he doesn't return, he'll finish with two rebounds. While Oshae Brissett could get some work, there's a chance Jayson Tatum could spend time in the middle, although Al Horford should remain the top option at the five.Source: Jay King
1 day agoAccording to ESPN's Lisa Salters, reporting during the second quarter of Thursday's postseason matchup between the Celtics and Pacers, center Kristaps Porzingis (calf) hasn't participated in practice. However, he's still been around the team. The veteran has been sidelined for nearly a month because of a right Soleus strain. While a report indicated Porzingis could be back for Game 4 on Monday night, head coach Joe Mazzulla stressed that he remains without a timetable for a return. With that said, it's not uncommon for Mazzulla to withhold information on an injured player, although the latest update isn't good news for the C's. But until he's back on the floor, Al Horford will get most of the minutes in the middle and remain a relatively reliable DFS option.Source: Lisa Salters
2 days agoMinnesota Timberwolves forward/center Naz Reid had a busy night off the bench in Wednesday's Game 1 against Dallas, recording 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in a 108-105 loss. Reid demonstrated perfectly why he was voted the Sixth Man of the Year, making an impact in all areas across 24 minutes of action. He finished with 5-for-9 shooting, going 3-for-6 with the three-ball. Reid's numbers have dropped in the playoffs, along with his playing time, but that's now three efforts in four games with 10-plus points from him. Minnesota will need more of the same in the battle against Dallas' well-equipped frontcourt.Source: ESPN
2 days agoMinnesota Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns took a team-high 20 shots but made only six efforts in Wednesday's Game 1 loss to the Mavericks, posting 16 points. Towns' inefficiency from the field ended up being costly for the team, as the Timberwolves suffered a narrow three-point defeat. Half of his misses came from downtown with nine attempts, and Towns was also limited to seven rebounds while registering two assists and one steal. With Anthony Edwards also struggling to score, the two Timberwolves stars combined for 12-for-36 shooting. Yet, the team was still close to walking away with the victory. We should see a much-improved effort from the star duo in Friday's Game 2.Source: ESPN
2 days agoMinnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards struggled to get points on the board but went close to his first career triple-double in Wednesday's Game 1 loss to the Mavericks. Edwards shot a very good 5-for-12 from downtown, but he finished 6-for-16 overall from the field and managed only 19 points. However, he led his team with 11 rebounds and eight assists, adding a pair of steals to his stat line. Edwards has had a huge postseason campaign, but after playing 44 minutes in Game 7 against Denver on Sunday, he logged 41 minutes on Wednesday and looked gassed in the closing stages. The games are coming thick and fast, with Game 2 of the series scheduled for Friday, and the Timberwolves will be in big trouble if Edwards can't get his energy levels back.Source: ESPN
2 days agoMinnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels opened Wednesday's Game 1 against Dallas with 4-for-4 three-point shooting and was the team's top scorer in the end in a 108-105 loss with 24 points. The 23-year-old enjoyed his third consecutive 20-point effort with 9-for-15 shooting, hitting six of his nine attempts from behind the arc. McDaniels' night also included four rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Minnesota's young forward has built himself a reputation as a very good defensive player, and he was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team at the start of the week. But McDaniels has also been on a roll offensively lately thanks to some very sharp three-point shooting, going 12-for-18 from deep across his last three appearances.Source: ESPN
2 days agoDallas Mavericks forward/center P.J. Washington recorded 13 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks as the team opened the Western Conference Finals against Minnesota with a 108-105 win on Wednesday. It was a rough shooting night for the 28-year-old, as Washington finished 4-for-10 from the field and 2-for-8 with his three-point attempts, but he made a big shot late in the game to set the Mavericks on their way. Washington's second triple gave Dallas a 104-102 lead with 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. Despite the poor shooting, Washington led all Mavericks starters with a plus-12 rating. The former Hornet has looked great in these playoffs, and the Mavericks tend to have a tough time when he's off the court.Source: ESPN