May 4, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard/forward
Gary Payton II (illness) is questionable for Sunday's postseason clash with the Rockets. He has averaged only 6.3 points during the series against Houston. Still, the 32-year-old, who got the start in Game 6, is certainly valued for his abilities on the defensive side of the ball. It's unknown if Steve Kerr will keep Payton with the first-five in Game 7. But with Kerr keeping his rotation tight to the vest, it appears the door is open for more work for
Jonathan Kuminga,
Buddy Hield,
Moses Moody, and
Quinten Post, regardless of Payton's status for Game 7.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
May 4, 2025
According to Law Murray of The Athletic, Los Angeles Clippers guard
James Harden is expected to remain with the team. Harden has a $36 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign, although it's realistic both sides will work on a new contact over the summer. The 35-year-old had only seven points in the series-clinching, Game 7 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. Still, he is coming off another quality year, averaging 22.8 points, 8.7 assists, and 1.5 steals in 79 games while being named an All-Star for the seventh time of his career. Without question, Harden should continue to receive attention from fantasy managers heading into next season, and he should remain a top fantasy option, regardless of how the Clippers do in the standings, assuming he stays in Los Angeles.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Law Murray
May 3, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers center
Ivica Zubac had a double-double in Saturday's loss to the Nuggets, ending the night with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Still, it wasn't good enough, with the Clippers losing a decisive Game 7 and failing to advance to the Western Conference semi-finals to face the Oklahoma City Thunder. From a statistical standpoint, Zubac had a stellar 2024-25 campaign, amassing career-highs in points (16.8), rebounds (12.6), assists (2.7), and games (80). With that said, his stock is higher than ever, and it's possible he earns serious consideration for an All-Star selection next season.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 3, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points in Saturday's playoff loss to the Nuggets. He added five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. The two-time NBA Champion had a fantastic series. Unfortunately, his efforts weren't enough, with the Clippers falling short of advancing to the Western Conference semi-finals to meet OKC. Statistically speaking, Leonard played as well as expected during the regular season, averaging 21.5 points, 5.9 boards, and 1.6 steals while shooting 41.1% from behind the arc. However, he was limited to only 37 games because of a knee injury. Leonard is one of the best players in the NBA. But the question moving ahead is if he can stay healthy in 2025-26. If he does, he should re-enter the All-Star conversation.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 3, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers guard
James Harden had only seven points in Saturday's postseason loss to Denver. However, he made up for it by amassing 13 assists, two steals, and one block. Although Los Angeles couldn't advance to the Western Conference semi-finals to face Oklahoma City, Harden can look back on another quality year, averaging 22.8 points, 8.7 dimes, and 1.5 steals. He also appeared in 79 games and was named an All-Star for the seventh time of his career. The 35-year-old will next need to decide if he will exercise his $36 million player option heading into the 2025-26 campaign. But one thing is for sure, Harden should see plenty of interest from clubs around the National Basketball Association this summer if he doesn't. Either way, he is expected to remain a top fantasy option, although he may only have a few more productive years left in the tank.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 3, 2025
Denver Nuggets center
Nikola Jokic had 16 points in Saturday's series-clinching win over the Clippers. He added 10 boards, eight assists, three steals, and one block. The three-time MVP accumulated five fouls through the first three quarters, resulting in more time spent on the bench. However, with Denver building a decisive lead, Jokic wasn't needed much in the fourth quarter. With the Nuggets dispatching the Clippers in seven games, the team will hit the road for a meeting with OKC on Monday night to begin the Western Conference semi-finals. In four meetings with the Thunder this season, Jokic averaged 24.5 points, 15.8 rebounds, 11.5 dimes, 1.8 blocks, and 1.5 steals. He also shot 52.6% from the field, one of his worst averages against any club during the year.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 3, 2025
Boston Celtics guard
Jrue Holiday (hamstring) was a full participant in Saturday's practice. "He was able to do everything that we worked on. He is getting better every day," Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said. This is a very encouraging development regarding Holiday's potential return to action for Game 1 versus the New York Knicks on Monday. He missed the final three games of Boston's first-round series against the Orlando Magic due to a hamstring strain. Before getting hurt, Holiday notched 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game at the start of the postseason. His return to the lineup is set to send
Al Horford back to the bench, although the veteran big man should remain an important part of the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: Justin Turpin
May 3, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard
Darius Garland (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers. The Cavaliers lost their starting point guard for the final two games of the first-round series against the Miami Heat and may still be without him as the second round begins. Garland, who has averaged 24.0 points and 7.0 assists in the playoffs, is trying to shake off a left great toe sprain.
Sam Merrill has started in Garland's absence, while
Ty Jerome has seen increased usage off the bench. Despite the starting role, Merrill has not made a positive impact for DFS managers, averaging 4.5 points and 1.5 rebounds since Garland went down.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
May 2, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks guard
Damian Lillard (Achilles) underwent surgery on Friday to repair a torn left Achilles sustained during a postseason loss to the Indiana Pacers. There is no timetable for his return. The multi-time All-Star averaged 24.9 points in his second season with the Bucks, up from the 2023-24 campaign. Unfortunately, it wasn't nearly as close to the career-high 32.2 points he averaged in his final year in Portland. It's unknown how the Milwaukee roster will look moving ahead. It's also not clear if Lillard has already played his final game with the Bucks. With that in mind, his redraft value can't get any lower heading into next season. However, dynasty managers should avoid any low-ball offers, especially since Lillard could have at least a few more productive years left in the tank once he's cleared to get back on the floor.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Milwaukee Bucks
May 1, 2025
Detroit Pistons forward/center
Isaiah Stewart (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's Game 6 against the New York Knicks. He will miss a fifth consecutive game after being labeled questionable on the initial injury report. The Pistons must win on Thursday for Stewart to have a chance to return to action this season. He has played an important role as a reserve, averaging 6.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks during the regular season. In the series opener against the Knicks, when Stewart was in the lineup, he recorded two points, five rebounds, and two blocks in 19 minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: Omari Sankofa II
May 1, 2025
Houston Rockets guard/forward
Amen Thompson had his fingerprints all over Wednesday's Game 5 victory over the Golden State Warriors, racking up 25 points, six rebounds, three assists, five steals, and three blocks. Thompson, who finished 8-for-12 shooting, played a key role in limiting the Warriors to 49 first-half points. The visitors improved in the second half, but Houston still picked up a comfortable 131-116 win. This was without a doubt Thompson's best performance of the series, and it's sure to be a confidence-booster for him ahead of another elimination game on Friday night. The 22-year-old has averaged 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.6 steals in his first career postseason campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 1, 2025
Golden State Warriors point guard
Stephen Curry produced only 13 points as the team failed to finish off the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, losing Game 5 131-116 on the road. Curry and
Jimmy Butler III both had zero points after the first quarter, as the Warriors struggled to cope with Houston's high-intensity defense. The two superstars ended up combining for 21 points in the game, with Curry shooting 4-for-12 from the field and 3-for-9 from behind the arc. He had seven assists with three turnovers and grabbed three rebounds in 23 minutes. Golden State's starters were embarrassed on Wednesday, and we should see a reaction from them in Game 6 on home court Friday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 1, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
Anthony Edwards had a miserable offensive outing in Wednesday's Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers, but the team still managed to end the series with a 103-96 road win. Edwards went 0-for-11 with the three-ball and 5-for-19 overall from the field during a 15-point performance. However, despite his struggles on the offensive end, the Timberwolves superstar almost had a triple-double. He was among the top rebounders in the game with 11 boards and dished out eight assists. Defensively, Edwards contributed three steals, and he didn't register a single turnover in 43 minutes on the floor. Edwards and the Timberwolves have now taken down
Kevin Durant and
LeBron James in the first round in back-to-back years. He will be fired up against anyone in his path and will enter the second round averaging 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.2 steals this postseason.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 1, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves center
Rudy Gobert feasted against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night, finishing a 103-96 Game 5 victory with a team-high 27 points and a game-high 24 rebounds. The Lakers lacked size, and Gobert capitalized on this, adding two blocks to his tally with 12-for-15 shooting from the field. In the first four games of the series, Gobert had managed only 14 total points with 25 rebounds, making it a true case of a sleeping giant awakening. If the Timberwolves can receive similar contributions from Gobert moving forward, the 2024-25 campaign might hold something very special for the squad.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 1, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers point guard
Luka Doncic injured his back in Wednesday's Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves but still finished a 103-96 loss as the game's leading scorer. He put up 28 points with 7-for-18 shooting from the field and a 12-for-15 effort at the line. In his final appearance of the 2024-25 campaign, Doncic also had seven rebounds, nine assists, and one steal. After competing in the 2024 NBA Finals with the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic's season turned out to be a disappointment. He finished the first-round series with averages of 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. In 28 regular-season outings with the Lakers, Doncic notched 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Despite dealing with health issues, Doncic continues to put up big numbers and is expected to do so again in the 2025-26 season. However, fantasy managers will certainly want to get more than 50 games out of him.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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