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Isaiah Hartenstein Bounces Back With Double-Double
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein recorded his second double-double of the postseason in Wednesday's 122-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 10 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. The 28-year-old big man struggled in Game 1, logging only 12 minutes, but he got back on track on Wednesday night. Hartenstein's playing time went up to 27 minutes, and his efforts included three assists. He grabbed eight boards on the offensive end alone and finished with a 4-for-8 effort from the field. Despite his rough Game 1 outing, Hartenstein had been a solid contributor for the Thunder in the playoffs, averaging 8.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 1.1 steals.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder to Game 2 Victory WIth 30 Points
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 30 points in Wednesday's 122-113 Game 2 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. After making barely 30% of his field-goal attempts in Game 1, the back-to-back MVP finished 12-for-24 from the floor and 6-for-6 at the line. However, he still struggled from deep, going 0-for-3. Offensively, Gilgeous-Alexander also contributed nine assists, while grabbing four rebounds and picking up two blocks with one steal. This was Gilgeous-Alexander's fifth 30-point game of the postseason. Going forward, his offensive role might increase after Jalen Williams (hamstring) was hurt on Wednesday night.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dylan Harper Exits Game 2 Early Due to Right-Leg Injury
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (leg) was unable to finish Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He injured his right leg on an awkward fall in the third quarter. Filling in for De'Aaron Fox (ankle) in the starting unit for a second consecutive game, Harper posted 12 points, two rebounds, and three assists in 25 minutes, with 50% field-goal efficiency. With Harper out, Jordan McLaughlin entered the rotation, producing six points in seven minutes, while Keldon Johnson's workload increased to 26 minutes. Both players could again have extended roles in Game 3, though there is also a chance Fox returns.
Source: NBA.com
Source: NBA.com
Jalen Williams Suffers Another Hamstring Injury
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) was limited to seven minutes in Wednesday's Game 2 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. He left the action in the first quarter and was ruled out early in the third due to left hamstring tightness. In Game 1, Williams returned from a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, which kept him sidelined for six contests. This season, he has also had two spells out due to issues with his right hamstring. According to ESPN's Tim McMahon, Williams will undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of his injury. It looks like Williams could be forced to miss another stretch of games, giving Ajay Mitchell or Cason Wallace an opportunity to start.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jerry Stackhouse Emerges as Bulls Head-Coach Candidate
The Chicago Bulls are still seeking a new head coach after moving on from Billy Donovan earlier this offseason. The organization has put together a new front office, so the focus will likely soon shift to the head coach vacancy. Jerry Stackhouse has become a name to watch as a candidate for the Bulls coaching job. The 18-year-old NBA veteran has served as an assistant coach on Steve Kerr's staff in Golden State from 2024-2026. Stackhouse does have experience as a head coach from his time with the Toronto Raptors, when he was their G-League head coach. He was also the head coach at Vanderbilt University for five seasons. Stackhouse seems like an interesting candidate to watch.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel Headline All-Rookie Team
The NBA released its 2025-2026 Kia NBA All-Rookie Team on Wednesday. A media panel of 100 voters selects five players to the First-Team and five players to the Second-Team. Unsurprisingly, this year's Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg from the Dallas Mavericks, was selected to the First-Team. He'll be joined by Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe, Dylan Harper, and Cedric Coward. The Second-Team is headlined by Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey. He's joined by a pair of New Orleans Pelicans in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Collin Murray-Boyles and Maxime Raynaud will round out this year's Second-Team.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
De'Aaron Fox is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wow, Fox will miss his second consecutive game due to a lingering ankle injury. He wasn't available on Monday, and the Spurs still found a way to get the win in double-overtime. Dylan Harper drew the start and finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists across 47 minutes of action. Harper figures to draw another start on Wednesday, with Stephon Castle and Keldon Johnson likely playing bigger roles. Victor Wembanyama will be asked to once again carry the load offensively with Fox unavailable.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
James Harden Struggles in Eastern Conference Finals Opener
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden had a tough time on the floor in Tuesday's 114-105 Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks. His offensive contribution was limited to 15 points and three assists with a 5-for-16 record from the field. The Knicks also exploited Harden on defense late in the game, with Jalen Brunson leading his team to the largest playoff comeback in franchise history. Harden, who went 1-for-8 with the three-ball, completed his line with four rebounds, one steal, one block, and six turnovers. While the biggest talking point after Game 1 is Harden's defense, he has also been off his game offensively, scoring just 24 points with a 7-for-26 effort from the field across the last two games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Evan Mobley Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley registered his second consecutive double-double with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds in Tuesday's 115-104 overtime loss to the New York Knicks. He blocked three shots and dished out three assists, but Mobley had little impact late in the game, when Cleveland fell apart and blew a 22-point fourth-quarter lead. Typically an efficient scorer, Mobley went 6-for-16 from the field and 2-for-8 from downtown during the Eastern Conference Finals opener. He will hope to turn things around in Game 3, where Mobley has a chance to record his first three-game postseason double-double streak since 2024.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Donovan Mitchell Produces Top Two-Way Performance in Game 1 Loss
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell made a big impact on both ends in Tuesday's 115-104 overtime loss to the New York Knicks, leading his team with 29 points and six steals. He also grabbed five rebounds, delivered three assists, and blocked one shot, while going 12-for-23 from the field and 4-for-11 from downtown. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, Mitchell didn't have much juice left for the latter stages of the game as the team blew a 22-point fourth-quarter lead. The star guard scored just three points after the third quarter. On a positive note, Mitchell has heated up since the start of the last round, and this is unlikely to remain his best outing of the series. In his last eight games, Mitchell has posted averages of 28.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
OG Anunoby Plays Key Role in Comeback Win
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby returned from injury with a 13-point effort in a 115-104 overtime win in Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks overcame a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter and recorded the largest playoff comeback in franchise history, with Anunoby scoring nine of the team's 14 points in overtime. Across 34 minutes of action, Anunoby added five rebounds, two assists, and one steal to his tally. He played a key role late in the game despite finishing with a 2-for-9 record from the field. Most of Anunoby's points were scored through an 8-for-10 effort at the free-throw line. This was Anunoby's first game in two weeks, and his performance should improve in Game 2 now that he has shaken off some rust.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mikal Bridges Remains Efficient in Game 1 Against Cavaliers
New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges contributed 18 points, five rebounds, one assist, and two steals during Tuesday's 115-104 comeback victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He finished 6-for-11 from the floor, marking Bridges' sixth consecutive outing with a field-goal efficiency of 57% or better. The 29-year-old was 2-for-4 from outside and 2-for-2 at the line. After an awful start to the postseason, Bridges has once again become an important two-way contributor for the Knicks, who are looking to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Since Game 6 against Atalanta in Round 1, Bridges has averaged 18.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Karl-Anthony Towns Extends Double-Double Streak to Four Games
New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a fourth consecutive double-double in Tuesday's 115-104 Game 1 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The star big man had a quiet outing, but extended his double-double streak by scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Additionally, Towns contributed five assists, one steal, and one block, going 6-for-14 from the field. On the negative side, Towns struggled from deep with a 1-for-5 effort and committed a game-high seven turnovers. While his performance could have been better on Tuesday night, Towns has finished eight of 11 postseason outings with a double-double, providing plenty of fantasy value.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jalen Brunson Leads Knicks to Historic Comeback Win
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson poured in 38 points during the team's spectacular comeback win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 on Tuesday. With 8:19 left in the fourth quarter, the Knicks trailed by 22 points, but they stormed past Cleveland to win 115-104 in overtime. It marks the second-biggest fourth-quarter comeback in a playoff game in the last 30 years. Brunson produced 17 of his 38 points after the third quarter. He also bagged five rebounds, six assists, and three steals in 46 minutes. While Brunson made only one of his six attempts from deep, he went over 50% from the field with a 15-for-29 effort. During a 15-point fourth quarter, Brunson missed only two of nine field-goal attempts. The star guard posted his second-best scoring performance of the postseason and appears poised to do even more damage in the series, given the Cavaliers' struggles to contain him in Game 1.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dean Wade Returns to Starting Unit Tuesday
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade will rejoin the starting lineup for Game 1 against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. In Sunday's Game 7 matchup with Detroit, Wade was benched in favor of Max Strus. He's now getting a new opportunity to start, though this is unlikely to impact his numbers. Wade has been limited to 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game this postseason. Strus makes a living as a three-point specialist and may get another chance in the first unit later in the series.
Source: Cleveland Cavaliers
Source: Cleveland Cavaliers
