RADIO
Jayson Tatum Added to Injury Report as Questionable
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (knee) has been downgraded to questionable ahead of Saturday's Game 7 matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN's Tim Bontemps reports. Tatum reportedly dealt with a left calf issue during Game 6, sitting out the entire fourth quarter. On Saturday afternoon, he was added to the injury report due to left knee stiffness. Across his career, Tatum has averaged 26.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in Game 7s. He would be a massive loss for the Celtics, who have suffered two straight defeats after taking a 3-1 lead in the series. Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Baylor Scheierman will all be asked to contribute more if Tatum is ultimately ruled out Saturday.
Source: Tim Bontemps
Source: Tim Bontemps
Alperen Sengun Finishes Series with Double-Double Effort
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun recorded 17 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, and one assist in 38 minutes during Friday's Game 6 loss to the Lakers, as Houston was eliminated 4-2. He struggled to convert efficiently but still led the team on the glass and finished near the top in scoring, notching his third double-double of the series. Sengun remains a high-usage centerpiece heading into next season, offering strong multi-category value. Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. should continue in key roles, though Houston's offense will still lean heavily on Sengun's playmaking and interior presence.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
LeBron James Leads Lakers Past Rockets in Game 6
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James recorded 28 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in 37 minutes during Friday's Game 6 win over Houston, helping clinch the series 4-2. He bounced back from recent perimeter struggles by hitting two three-pointers and limiting mistakes after a turnover-heavy stretch earlier in the series. James remains the offensive hub heading into the second round, providing elite all-around production. Rui Hachimura has stepped up as a scorer, and Austin Reaves continues to hold a steady role, but everything still flows through James, keeping him firmly in play for DFS despite a tougher matchup ahead.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Scottie Barnes Anchors Both Ends in Game 6 Victory
Toronto Raptors guard/forward Scottie Barnes finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, 14 assists, three steals, and three blocks in 48 minutes during Friday's Game 6 overtime win over Cleveland. He fell just short of a triple-double while delivering his most complete performance of the series. With Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) sidelined and Brandon Ingram (heel) uncertain, Barnes has taken on primary playmaking duties. Toronto is leaning on Barnes to run the offense, with his passing setting things up and his defense filling the box score as they head into Game 7.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Evan Mobley Shines Despite Game 6 Overtime Loss
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley recorded 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists in 41 minutes during Friday's Game 6 overtime loss to Toronto. He shot an efficient 9-for-15 from the field and added three three-pointers, delivering his strongest outing of the series and his first double-double this round. Mobley has now scored at least 20 points in back-to-back games, trending up at the right time. Cleveland's Game 7 outlook will hinge on whether he can maintain this level of efficiency and two-way impact.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
RJ Barrett Hits Clutch Three to Force Game 7
Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett scored 24 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in 43 minutes during Friday's Game 6 overtime win over Cleveland, knocking down a go-ahead three in the final seconds to force a Game 7. He shot just 8-for-21 overall but stayed aggressive, continuing a strong series with consistent scoring volume. Barrett remains a high-usage option heading into the deciding game. Scottie Barnes and Ja'Kobe Walter helped carry the load, but the ball still finds Barrett when Toronto needs a bucket, especially in crunch time.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Paolo Banchero Struggles with Shot in Game 6 Loss
Orlando Magic forward/center Paolo Banchero finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals in 41 minutes during Friday's Game 6 loss to Detroit, shooting just 4-for-20 from the field and 0-for-9 from deep. After a dominant Game 5, he cooled off sharply, though steady free-throw production kept his line afloat. Banchero remains the clear offensive focal point heading into Game 7, especially if Franz Wagner (calf) remains limited. Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs should continue in their usual roles, but how far Orlando goes will depend on Banchero finding his rhythm and knocking down shots.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Cade Cunningham Carries Pistons to Decisive Game 7
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham recorded 32 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, three assists, and one block in 42 minutes during Friday's Game 6 win over Orlando, forcing a Game 7. He took over after a slow first half, carrying the offense with a dominant second-half surge and steady production at the line. Cunningham has topped 25 points in every game this series, maintaining elite usage. Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson chipped in around him, but Detroit continues to lean on Cunningham to create most of the offense, keeping him firmly in play as a top DFS option.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Hawks Plan to Bring Back CJ McCollum
Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum appears set to remain with the team next season. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, coming off a two-year, $64 million contract. However, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Thursday that the Hawks plan to bring back McCollum. After arriving from Washington midseason, McCollum proved to be a solid fit for Atlanta, averaging 18.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 28.8 minutes per game. He will turn 35 before next season starts, but McCollum's game has aged well. If he stays healthy, fantasy managers could get a couple more productive years from McCollum.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Austin Reaves Starting Friday Night
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves will return to the starting lineup on Friday in Game 6 against the Houston Rockets. Reaves returned from injury in a bench role in Game 5, though he replaced Luke Kennard in the first unit for the second half. On Friday, Kennard will come off the bench from the start, which will severely limit his fantasy prospects. Reaves did a decent job in his comeback game, but his field-goal efficiency was poor at 25.0 percent. In 34 minutes, he notched 22 points, four rebounds, six assists, and one block.
Source: Los Angeles Lakers
Source: Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers Hope to Retain Luke Kennard in Free Agency
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard is approaching unrestricted free agency, but the team wants to negotiate a new deal with him, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. "It is increasingly anticipated leaguewide that the Lakers will want to retain the recently acquired Luke Kennard after his strong first-round series against Houston," Fischer reported on Thursday. With the Lakers' backcourt hampered by injuries, Kennard has averaged 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in the first-round series against Houston. He's a major three-point threat and could be useful to the Lakers for years to come. However, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to sustain his current playoff production during the 2026-27 regular season.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Suns Want to Keep Dillon Brooks Long-Term
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Dillon Brooks will enter the final season of a four-year contract in 2026-27, but the team wants to keep him around with a new long-term deal. "I do expect to figure out a way to keep Dillon long term," team owner Mat Ishbia told The Burns & Gambo Show, adding he'll be part of a championship in the "next 3-4 years." Coming over from Houston as part of the Kevin Durant trade, Brooks had his first year with the Suns in 2025-26. He took major strides offensively, averaging a career-high 20.2 points per game. The 30-year-old also tallied 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals. Brooks benefited from Jalen Green's health issues this term and might struggle to replicate his offensive form next season, impacting his fantasy appeal.
Source: Arizona Sports
Source: Arizona Sports
Jamal Shead Joins Starting Lineup Friday
Toronto Raptors point guard Jamal Shead will start Game 6 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. He will take Brandon Ingram's (heel) place. Shead played well when Ingram exited Game 5 early and isn't a stranger to the first unit. During the regular season, he logged 12 starts, averaging 11.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. The Raptors would love to get similar numbers from Shead on Friday night to boost their chances in the elimination game.
Source: Toronto Raptors
Source: Toronto Raptors
Jayson Tatum OK for Game 7 Against 76ers
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (calf) will play in Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, Marc D'Amico of the Celtics' official site reports. Tatum sat out the fourth quarter of Game 6 due to apparent left calf discomfort. But the team has not listed him on the injury report for Saturday's game. "He'll play," Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters on Friday. The 28-year-old is averaging 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in the first-round series. He has logged a double-double in all but one game.
Source: Marc D'Amico
Source: Marc D'Amico
Joel Embiid Probable for Game 7 Against Celtics
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (abdomen) is probable for Saturday's huge Game 7 matchup against the Boston Celtics. The star big man is expected to make his fourth consecutive appearance after recovering from an appendectomy. While Embiid's field-goal efficiency has been poor and he hasn't done much on the defensive end, his impact in the series has been noticeable. Across 35.7 minutes per game, he has averaged 26.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. Boston should see a lot of Embiid on Saturday night as the two teams jostle for survival.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
