1 month agoCleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen (rib) isn't ready to return to the lineup Thursday for Game 2 against Boston, with the team downgrading him from questionable to out. Allen hasn't featured since Game 4 of the team's first-round battle with Orlando, missing time with a rib contusion.
Isaac Okoro is poised for another start on Thursday in Allen's place. He's been quiet throughout the postseason, averaging 5.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 23.8 minutes.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Serena Winters
1 month agoThe Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Frank Vogel. The decision comes 11 days after the Minnesota Timberwolves swept the Suns in the first round of the playoffs. Vogel worked in Phoenix for just one year. He led the team to a 49-33 record in the regular season. Sources have told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that Mike Budenholzer, who won the NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, is Phoenix's top target to replace Vogel. The short stint with the Suns was Vogel's fourth head-coaching position in the Association. He has also guided the Pacers, Magic, and Lakers, winning the championship with the latter in 2020. His career record stands at 480-422.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 month agoMilwaukee Bucks point guard
Patrick Beverley has been suspended four games without pay by the NBA. During Game 6 of the first round against the Indiana Pacers, the 35-year-old was involved in an altercation, resulting in Beverely forcefully throwing a basketball into the stands toward fans. Additionally, after the game, he was involved in "an inappropriate interaction" with an ESPN reporter during media availability. His suspension will begin at the start of next season. Beverely heads into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 month agoIndiana Pacers point guard
T.J. McConnell led the team with 12 assists and provided 10 points in Wednesday's Game 2 loss to the Knicks. The veteran guard logged a very productive 22 minutes off the bench, adding four rebounds to his tally and shooting 5-for-9 from the field. The Pacers were plus-10 with McConnell on the floor. That's now three straight games with double-digit scoring for McConnell, who has also averaged 8.0 dimes during the stretch. Indiana tends to play better with him on the court, and Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle clearly needs to find more minutes for McConnell to turn things around in the series.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 month agoIndiana Pacers forward
Obi Toppin had a prolific outing in Game 2 against the Knicks on Wednesday, finishing a 130-121 loss with 20 points. He scored a point per minute off the bench, shooting 7-for-10 from the field with a 2-for-4 effort from behind the arc. Toppin also notched three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. The Pacers are struggling in the series, but Toppin has enjoyed the battle against his former team. He has shot a very impressive 70.6 percent through the first two games, averaging 16.0 points with 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Game 3 gives Toppin a chance to make it three 20-point efforts in four games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 month agoIndiana Pacers point guard
Tyrese Haliburton scored a game-high 34 points with seven makes from downtown in Wednesday's 130-121 loss to the Knicks. After shaking off a questionable tag again, Haliburton enjoyed a good start with 13 first-quarter points and ended up with his highest-scoring game of the 2024 playoffs. He shot 11-for-19 overall from the field and finished one assist short of a double-double while recording six rebounds and three steals. Haliburton, who has been battling lower back spasms in the postseason, hasn't looked quite like himself lately, but his Game 2 outing was an encouraging sign that the best has yet to come from him. Indiana certainly needs similar efforts from Haliburton to take this series past four games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 month agoNew York Knicks center
Isaiah Hartenstein came up with a big all-around performance against the Pacers in Wednesday's Game 2, finishing a 130-121 win with 14 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and one block. The 26-year-old big man, who averages 1.7 dimes for his career, came very close to a triple-double as he led his team in assists. Despite the narrow miss, Hartenstein should be extremely happy with his contributions in Game 2, and he at least got to celebrate his first double-double of the playoffs. There should be plenty more of those to come for Hartenstein after
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) landed on the shelf.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 month agoNew York Knicks guard/forward
Josh Hart was once again on the court for the entire contest as the Knickerbockers grabbed a 2-0 series lead with a 130-121 victory against the Pacers on Wednesday. He also logged the entire 48 minutes in Game 1 and has now done it four times in total during the 2024 postseason. Hart posted a third consecutive double-double on Wednesday with 19 points and 15 rebounds, adding seven assists, one steal, and one block to his account. He finished with 8-for-12 shooting, going 1-for-3 from behind the arc. The 29-year-old has averaged a ridiculous 48.2 minutes per game over New York's last five matches. Hart has also been very productive during his time on the court, logging 21.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 2.0 steals in the series against Indiana.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 month agoNew York Knicks guard/forward
Donte DiVincenzo contributed 28 points in Wednesday's 130-121 Game 2 victory over Indiana, shooting 6-for-12 from three-point range. He was 10-for-20 overall from the field with six rebounds, four assists, and one steal. DiVincenzo had a cold start to the postseason, but he's now posted at least 23 points in three consecutive games. He's a very talented shooter, and Indiana has given him a lot of looks in the series, with DiVincenzo having recorded 21 attempts from deep. The 27-year-old sniper has shot 52.4 percent from downtown through the first two games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 month agoNew York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson shook off a foot injury to put up a team-high 29 points on 11-for-18 shooting in Wednesday's Game 2 win over Indiana. The Knicks star missed the entire second quarter with a sore right foot, but he was back in action for the start of the third and played like nothing had happened. Brunson was 3-for-6 with his three-point attempts and also led his team with three steals while delivering five assists and grabbing two rebounds. The foot problem could land Brunson on the injury report ahead of Game 3, but it looks like he can play through the ailment.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 month agoNew York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby (hamstring) won't return to Wednesday's matchup against the Pacers. He had played well in the contest, scoring 28 points while shooting 10-for-19 from the field and 4-for-7 from deep. Unfortunately, Anunoby limped off the court late in the third quarter, with TNT's Chris Haynes reporting the former Raptor experienced left hamstring soreness.
Jalen Brunson (foot) briefly exited this contest, although he returned. However, DFS managers will likely see both men on the injury report ahead of Game 3 on Friday evening. While Anunoby is sidelined,
Precious Achiuwa will likely see more work.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Chris Haynes
1 month agoNew York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby (leg) exited Wednesday's postseason matchup with the Pacers.
Jalen Brunson (foot) left in the first half because of right foot discomfort. Fortunately, Brunson returned, although now the team could be without Anunoby, who limped off the court while holding his left hamstring in the third quarter. If he doesn't return, he'll finish with 28 points, shooting 10-for-19 from the field and 4-for-7 from deep, with
Precious Achiuwa and
Miles McBride expected to see more minutes the rest of the way.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Stefan Bondy
1 month agoNew York Knicks guard
Jalen Brunson (foot) returned to Wednesday's postseason contest versus the Pacers. Brunson experienced right foot discomfort in the first quarter and was questionable to return. However, while fantasy managers are happy he's out there, it's evident he's not 100%. Of course, head coach Tom Thibodeau will monitor Brunson throughout the contest, and he will likely see fewer minutes than usual.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Ian Begley
1 month agoBoston Celtics center
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) remains out for Thursday's matchup against the Cavaliers. The 28-year-old suffered a right Soleus strain during the previous round versus the Miami Heat. Fortunately, team reporter Chris Forsberg posted a video to X on Wednesday that showed Porzingis doing some shooting. Nonetheless, he could still miss the remainder of the series with Cleveland. But until Porzingis is back in the lineup,
Al Horford and
Luke Kornet should handle things in the middle.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 month agoDenver Nuggets center
Nikola Jokic was named the 2023-24 NBA Most Valuable Player, his third time capturing the award in the last four seasons. The 29-year-old is coming off another potent season, amassing 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists in 79 games. He also shot 58.3% from the field, one of the best marks of his career. Jokic doesn't appear to be slowing down, so he should remain a top fantasy option for many years ahead, especially since he's among the most durable players in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Ohm Youngmisuk
RADIO
