May 6, 2025
Denver Nuggets center
Nikola Jokic looked like a man among boys in Monday's Game 1 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, putting up a game-high 42 points on 15-for-29 shooting and grabbing 22 rebounds. He also had six assists, one steal, and two blocks as the Nuggets shocked OKC with a 121-119 road win. Jokic, who finished 2-for-6 with the three-ball and went 10-for-13 at the charity stripe, became the fourth player in NBA postseason history to register 40-plus points, 20-plus rebounds, and five-plus assists in a game. Given his ability, this may not even turn out to be his only such effort in the series.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 6, 2025
New York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby played a vital role in Monday's comeback victory against the Boston Celtics. The Knicks were limited to 45 first-half points but won the game 108-105 in overtime after dominating the second half. 20 of Anunoby's game-high tying 29 points came in the second half, and he also made key plays defensively. Over 46 minutes of action, Anunoby added four rebounds, three assists, and one steal to his tally while shooting 10-for-20 from the field and 6-for-11 from behind the arc. Anunoby's performances were inconsistent during the first-round series against the Detroit Pistons, but he appears to have found his mojo recently, averaging 23.3 points with 52 percent three-point shooting over his last three outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 6, 2025
New York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson had a 29-point outing as the team opened the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics with a 108-105 overtime win on Monday night. His efficiency was slightly down, as Brunson finished 9-for-23 from the field, but he shot an impressive 5-for-9 from three-point range. Three of Brunson's three-point makes came in the fourth quarter, which the Knicks won by nine points to send the game into overtime. Although Brunson ended the extra frame without scoring, he would have been pleased with his night's work. The star guard rounded out his line with four rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Boston must do a better job of limiting Brunson's impact to avoid going down 2-0 in the series on home court Wednesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 6, 2025
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown scored 23 points on 7-for-20 shooting in Monday's 108-105 overtime loss to the New York Knicks. Most of the Celtics struggled to hit shots, and Brown was among them, finishing a shocking 1-for-10 from three-point range. His scoring total was salvaged by an 8-for-10 effort at the free-throw line. The reigning Finals MVP led his team with 45 minutes and wrapped up the night with seven rebounds and five assists. Brown has been hampered by a knee injury during the postseason but has boosted his scoring average to 23.0 points per game while grabbing 7.5 rebounds. Before going cold on Monday night, Brown had shot 44.4 percent from downtown. He will attempt to heat up again on Wednesday night in Game 2.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 6, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jayson Tatum struggled to hit shots in Monday's Game 1 against the New York Knicks, but still had an impressive outing in a 108-105 overtime loss. The Celtics superstar finished the contest with 23 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block. Tatum did most of his scoring during a hot spell in the first quarter when he scored 13 consecutive points for Boston. He was 7-for-23 from the field and 4-for-15 from downtown in the game. It was a poor shooting performance overall for Joe Mazzulla's team, yet they still lost by only three, which says a lot about Boston's quality. Tatum is sure to deliver a much more efficient performance in Wednesday's Game 2.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 6, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Sam Hauser (ankle) was limited to only four minutes of action in Monday's Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks. Hauser injured his right ankle in the third quarter while trying to contest an
OG Anunoby three-point attempt. He exited the action with zero points, missing both of his field-goal attempts. Hauser was one of the best three-point shooters in the league during the regular season, nailing 41.6 percent of his attempts from deep. However, he has struggled to make an impact in the postseason, averaging 2.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in 13.0 minutes. Therefore, the Celtics likely won't miss Hauser much if he is forced to sit out a spell.
Payton Pritchard, the 2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, and
Al Horford will continue to lead the second unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: Marc D'Amico
May 5, 2025
Boston Celtics center
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is questionable to return to Monday's playoff clash with the Knicks. Leading up to his premature exit, he logged only 13 minutes, failing to score a point while adding four rebounds. The C's have a decisive lead heading toward the fourth quarter, so it's certainly possible Porzingis won't be back on Monday night. If that's the case,
Luke Kornet and
Al Horford should handle things underneath the basket the rest of the way.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Boston Celtics
May 5, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Kenny Atkinson has been named the NBA Coach of the Year for the 2024-25 season. After spending four years at the helm in Brooklyn, the 57-year-old then spent time as an assistant for the Clippers and Warriors. However, after Cleveland relieved head coach J.B. Bickerstaff of his head coaching duties last offseason, Atkinson took over, leading the Cavs to a 64-18 record to claim the top spot in the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs. Under Atkinson,
Evan Mobley was named the 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year while
Darius Garland had one of the best seasons of his career. Also,
Donovan Mitchell had another quality campaign, with
Jarrett Allen and
Ty Jerome following suit.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
May 5, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard/forward
Gary Payton II (illness) is regarded as questionable for Tuesday's Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The veteran sat out Sunday's Game 7 against the Houston Rockets due to an illness and still isn't fully recovered. With Payton II out, we again had a
Jonathan Kuminga sighting on Sunday, but he played only seven minutes.
Moses Moody could get more action off the bench if Payton II remains unavailable for Tuesday night. He logged just 11 minutes on Sunday as Golden State relied heavily on its starters in the must-win game.
--Taavi PailkSource: Alan Horton
May 5, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward
De'Andre Hunter (thumb) is considered questionable for Tuesday's meeting with the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Following Sunday's Game 1, he has been left nursing a right thumb sprain. Hunter is a right-handed shooter, meaning he may have difficulty performing at a high level even if he suits up for the game. In the series opener, Hunter shot a solid 4-for-8 from the field to contribute 11 points in 30 minutes off the bench. He also recorded four rebounds and one assist.
Isaac Okoro and
Dean Wade can expect to be more involved on Tuesday night if Hunter can't play, while his absence might also help
Javonte Green regain a spot in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
May 5, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center
Evan Mobley (ankle) may be forced to sit out Tuesday's Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers after the team listed him as questionable for the clash. Mobley opened the series with an impressive performance on Sunday, but he also injured his left ankle. The first-year All-Star finished Game 1 with 20 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 36 minutes.
De'Andre Hunter (thumb) was also hurt in the contest, and Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said after Monday's practice that there is "real concern" about the availability of the two for Tuesday night.
Dean Wade and
Isaac Okoro will have to step up if Mobley and Hunter can't take the court on Tuesday, while Atkinson may also introduce a new big man into the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
May 5, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard
Darius Garland (toe) has been listed as questionable for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers. He was out for the series opener on Sunday due to a toe sprain, missing a third consecutive contest. Now, Garland is in danger of missing another game, which would be a big blow for the Cavaliers, who dropped Game 1 on home court 121-112. Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has used
Sam Merrill as Garland's replacement in the starting lineup, but he played only 18 minutes on Sunday, finishing with six points, four rebounds, and four assists. At the same time,
Ty Jerome's workload increased to 29 minutes off the bench, and he made many DFS managers happy with a 21-point, eight-assist effort.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
May 4, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Ty Jerome had 21 Points in Sunday's loss to the Indiana Pacers. He added eight assists and one steal.
Darius Garland (toe) remained out for this one, so Jerome continued to get more opportunities to produce, with the 27-year-old and
Donovan Mitchell combing for 50 shot attempts on the night. Garland may be back for Game 2 on Tuesday. However, he could be limited if he does return. Still, it's hard to imagine Jerome staying as involved on the scoring end, regardless of Garland's status.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 4, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen had 12 points, five boards, and two steals in the loss to Indiana on Sunday night. Allen wasn't much of a factor offensively, although he did shoot an efficient 6-for-7 from the field.
Darius Garland (toe) wasn't available for this one. However, there's a chance he could be back for Game 2 on Tuesday night. If so, Allen should be more involved on the offensive end. But if Garland doesn't return, Allen could continue to struggle to put up points.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 4, 2025
Indiana Pacers forward
Pascal Siakam had 17 points, eight rebounds, and one steal in Sunday's win over the Cavs. While
Tyrese Haliburton,
Andrew Nembhard,
Aaron Nesmith, and
Myles Turner were also productive, Siakam did his part to help Indiana take the opening game of the series. The Cavs had trouble keeping up with the speedy Pacers' offense. It's likely head coach Rick Carlisle will look to keep things moving in Game 2 on Tuesday evening, meaning Siakam should continue to be involved on both ends of the floor.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
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