May 27, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
Nickeil Alexander-Walker finished as the team's top scorer in Monday's 128-126 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, posting 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting off the bench. Minnesota's second unit played a big role in the contest, as
Donte DiVincenzo also came alive with a 22-point effort. Alexander-Walker's offensive contributions didn't end with his scoring, as he matched
Anthony Edwards for the team high with six assists. The 26-year-old completed his line with four rebounds and two steals, shooting 5-for-8 from deep. While playing against his cousin
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the series, Alexander-Walker has significantly increased his offensive output, averaging 17.3 points over his past three outings. Edwards and
Julius Randle combined for only 21 points on Monday, making Alexander-Walker's improvement on the offensive end timely for the team.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 27, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves forward
Jaden McDaniels made an impact all over the court in Monday's Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, notching 22 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals, and one block in a 128-126 loss. He was Minnesota's leading scorer among the starting unit, shooting 9-for-15 from the field and 3-for-6 from behind the arc. McDaniels is highly regarded for his defense, but he has also stepped up offensively in these playoffs, averaging 15.4 points per game. In the matchup against the Thunder, McDaniels has already had two 20-point outings. Given
Julius Randle's struggles, the Thunder may have to rely even more on McDaniels for offense in Wednesday's elimination game.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 27, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
Anthony Edwards had a quiet evening in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, scoring only 16 points on 5-for-13 shooting in a 128-126 loss. A couple more shots and makes from the Timberwolves superstar, and we could be talking about a tied series. However, similarly to the series opener, Edwards struggled to get shots off. Most of his misses came from three-point land with a 1-for-7 effort, and Edwards finished 5-for-7 with his free throws. His night included four rebounds and six assists, but the three-time All-Star also committed five turnovers. Following a quiet Game 1, Edwards was much more active and went off for back-to-back 30-point games. The Timberwolves will be hoping the same happens again, with the team facing elimination in Wednesday's Game 5.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 27, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward
Jalen Williams bounced back from a tough Game 3 outing with a big 34-point effort in Monday's 128-126 Game 4 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. With
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting up 40 points, the Thunder had their first duo in 11 years to each score 30-plus points in the same playoff contest. Williams did his work with 13-for-24 shooting, including a 6-for-9 performance from downtown. He led his team with three steals and recorded three rebounds with five assists. While Gilgeous-Alexander grabs the headlines, Williams continues to have a highly productive postseason in the background. In the series against the Timberwolves, he has averaged 23.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 steals.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 27, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned to MVP form in Monday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, putting up a game-high 40 points on 13-for-30 shooting in a 128-126 win. After finishing a blowout loss in Game 3 with a season-low 14 points, Gilgeous-Alexander had the same amount of points racked up already in the first quarter. As usual, he was busy again at the free-throw line, going 12-for-14, and he finished with 2-for-7 shooting from outside. One more rebound would have given Gilgeous-Alexander a 40-point triple-double, as he collected nine boards with 10 assists and one steal. Gilgeous-Alexander had a disappointing night on Saturday, but he's enjoyed a productive series overall, averaging 30.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.8 steals.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 27, 2025
Indiana Pacers forward
Aaron Nesmith (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Tuesday's Game 4 against the New York Knicks. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has said Nesmith will "likely" be a game-time decision for the contest. The 25-year-old is trying to overcome a right ankle sprain suffered in Sunday's Game 3 loss. Having Nesmith available would be crucial for the Pacers, as he is among the team's top defensive players and has shown incredible shooting efficiency in the postseason. Nesmith has fired in 53.5 percent of his triples in the playoffs, with his biggest performance coming in Game 1 against the Knicks, where he finished 8-for-9 from downtown. If Nesmith is unable to play Tuesday night,
Ben Sheppard and
Bennedict Mathurin will likely be called upon to take on more responsibilities.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
May 26, 2025
According to ESPN's Kevin Pelton, the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets are teams to watch as possible landing spots for Golden State Warriors forward
Jonathan Kuminga. It's widely known the Nets will have plenty of money to spend this offseason. However, Chicago's situation is more complicated, so a sign-and-trade scenario could be in play, with the Bulls sending center
Nikola Vucevic to Golden State. Kuminga, who will be a restricted free agent, averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 boards, and 2.2 assists in 47 appearances last season. Unfortunately, he fell out of the rotation throughout most of the postseason, so it seems the front office may be ready to move on. At any rate, the 22-year-old should see a substantial uptick in production in Brooklyn and Chicago. On the other hand, Kuminga's ceiling won't be as high if he stays with the Warriors, especially with
Jimmy Butler III and
Stephen Curry on the roster.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Kevin Pelton
May
26,
2025
According
to
ESPN's
Kevin
Pelton,
the
Philadelphia
76ers
may
have
a
tougher
time
retaining
restricted
free-agent
guard/forward
Quentin
Grimes.
Philly
has
the
No.
3
overall
pick
in
the
2025
NBA
Draft,
and
the
team
is
already
operating
read more...
May 25, 2025
New York Knicks center
Mitchell Robinson might start in Sunday's postseason meeting with Indiana.
Karl-Anthony Towns hasn't looked the best, especially on the defensive end. As a result, head coach Tom Thibodeau may need Robinson in the middle, with KAT potentially sliding over to the four spot, similar to the role he played in his final few seasons in Minnesota. Robinson has averaged only 4.0 points in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals. However, he has logged 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per contest. If the 27-year-old finds himself in the starting lineup, he'll likely see a surge in attention from DFS managers. Unfortunately,
Josh Hart may have a tough time being as productive as usual, considering he is anticipated to move to the bench.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ian Begley
May 24, 2025
Indiana Pacers center
Myles Turner scored 16 points in Friday's playoff victory over New York. The 2015 No. 11 overall pick shined in the previous series versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, he hasn't been nearly as potent against the Knicks, averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 25.0% shooting from downtown, all down from the Conference semifinals. With
Mitchell Robinson in the mix and dominating the glass, head coach Rick Carlisle may need more size underneath the rim in Game 3, meaning Turner might sit more on Sunday.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 23, 2025
Indiana Pacers forward
Pascal Siakam had a game-high 39 points in the Game 2 win over the Knicks. He added five boards, three assists, and one steal. The veteran struggled shooting in Game 1. However, things were different this time around, with Siakam going 15-for-23 from the field and 3-for-5 from downtown. The Knicks had trouble keeping up with the Pacers' speedy offensive approach, and Siakam took full advantage. With the Knicks dropping both games at home to begin the series, the Pacers will look for another win on Sunday in Indiana. In two games against New York at home during the regular season, Siakam averaged 19.0 points and 6.5 boards. Although he struggled from the field in those contests, he shot an efficient 41.7% from behind the arc.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 23, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton had a 14-point, 11-assist double-double in Friday's playoff win over the Knicks. The 25-year-old was the hero in Game 1. However, he wasn't as productive in this one. Haliburton also had trouble finding the bottom of the net, going 3-for-10 from downtown. He at least made up for it by securing eight rebounds, his second-highest mark of the postseason. With Indiana stealing Games 1 and 2 on the road, both teams will head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3 on Sunday. Haliburton averaged 25.5 points, 11.0 assists, and 3.5 boards in two games versus the Knicks in Indiana during the regular season.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 23, 2025
New York Knicks center
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 points in Friday's loss to Indiana. KAT had 35 points in Game 1. However, he cooled off in this one, sinking only 42.9% of his attempts from the field. Towns also had issues on the glass, pulling down seven boards, his fewest since Game 2 of the Conference quarterfinals versus the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks dropped both games at home to begin the series, so the team will look to pick up a win on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Towns thrived in two appearances in Indiana during the regular season, averaging 35.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 38.5% shooting from downtown.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 23, 2025
New York Knicks guard
Jalen Brunson had a team-high 36 points in Friday's postseason loss to the Pacers. He added 11 assists, three boards, and one steal. The former Maverick led his team in scoring once again. Unfortunately, his efforts weren't enough, with the Knicks dropping Games 1 and 2 on their home court. New York will look to turn things around in Game 3 on Sunday. In two games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the regular season, Brunson averaged 20.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 33.3% from behind the arc. However, he has been more aggressive on the offensive end during this series, so there's a good chance he'll be more productive.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 22, 2025
New York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby filled the box score in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, recording 16 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals, and three blocks in a 138-135 overtime loss. The 2019 NBA champion was impactful at both ends of the floor, although Anunoby's shooting struggles continued with a 6-for-15 effort from the field, which included a 2-for-8 showing from downtown. His shooting efficiency has dropped to 39.7 percent during the postseason, leading to inconsistent performances on the offensive end. Still, the Knicks can always rely on Anunoby for high-level defense, which has kept him on the floor for an average of 40.2 minutes per game in the playoffs.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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