April 17, 2026
Denver Nuggets forward
Peyton Watson (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Watson missed the final five games of the regular season due to a lingering hamstring issue. He has been limited to non-contact work in practice. With that being said, Watson hasn't made enough progress to get back on the court yet.
Cameron Johnson should start with
Tim Hardaway Jr. and
Bruce Brown seeing expanded roles off the bench. Johnson could be an interesting DFS option without Watson available for at least the first game of this series.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Charlotte Hornets center
Moussa Diabate (hip) is available to play ahead of Friday's Play-In game against the Orlando Magic. Diabate will shake the questionable tag and suit up for this elimination contest. The big man finished with eight points and 14 rebounds during the first Play-In victory over the Miami Heat. He played 36 minutes during that game and figures to have a similar role during Friday's game. DFS players should take a look at Diabte as a possible double-double threat against the Magic.
Ryan Kalkbrenner and
Grant Williams will see backup minutes behind him, but they won't be as appealing DFS options.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
Ayo Dosunmu (calf) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's playoff contest against the Denver Nuggets. Dosunmu missed the regular season finale due to a calf issue, but he appears to be fine now. The Wolves are glad to have Dosunmu back for the beginning of this series. Over the last 10 games, Dosunmu is averaging 18.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. It's unclear if he'll start or come off the bench, but regardless, Dosunmu should play an important role for the Wolves during the postseason.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
Anthony Edwards (knee) is questionable for Saturday's Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets. Due to a knee issue, Edwards played in only three of the last 14 regular-season games, and it looks like he still hasn't fully recovered. Minnesota would be in serious trouble against the Nuggets if Edwards can't play.
Mike Conley,
Ayo Dosunmu, and
Bones Hyland all benefited from Edwards' ongoing health issues late in the regular season and could now also get extra work during the playoffs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Orlando Magic forward
Jonathan Isaac (knee) will miss Friday's Play-In Tournament Game against the Charlotte Hornets. The team has downgraded his status from questionable to out. Isaac is struggling to overcome a left knee sprain, having last played on March 12. That said, the Magic can cope just fine with his absence. During the regular season, Isaac averaged only 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen (knee) will suit up for Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. Allen returned from a right knee injury late in the regular season, but the team elected to keep him out of the final two games.
Evan Mobley (calf), who was rested for the regular-season finale, will also be back. Cleveland's twin towers face a big battle against
Jakob Poeltl,
Sandro Mamukelashvili, and
Collin Murray-Boyles. Allen faced the Raptors only once during the regular season and struggled, settling for six points and eight rebounds in a 126-113 loss on Nov. 13.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors. The seven-time All-Star sat out Cleveland's last two regular-season games to manage an ankle injury. Mitchell has built a reputation as an outstanding postseason performer, averaging 28.3 points through 63 career playoff games. However, things might not go smoothly for him in the first-round series, as Toronto did a good job defensively against him during the regular season. In two games against the Raptors, Mitchell made only 34.2 percent of his field-goal attempts, averaging 24.0 points.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
New York Knicks center
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) will be in the lineup on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks. He didn't play in New York's final two regular-season games to manage an ankle injury. Robinson has done a good job as a backup big man all season, and Atlanta knows firsthand how effective he can be. The 28-year-old made two appearances against the Hawks during the regular season, notching 7.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 2.0 steals in 19.0 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
New York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby (ankle) will play in Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. He hurt his left ankle during the final week of the regular season and sat out Sunday's loss to Charlotte. Fortunately, Anunoby won't have to miss the postseason opener, as the team hasn't included his name on the injury report. In three regular-season clashes, Anunoby posted two double-doubles against the Hawks, averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.7 steals. This matchup seems to suit Anunoby, and he could be one of the stars of the series.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
New York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson (ankle) will be active on Saturday in Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks. The star guard has managed an ankle injury late in the season and didn't play in Sunday's loss to the Charlotte Hornets, but the team has removed him from the injury report ahead of the playoff opener. During the regular season, Brunson struggled to make three-pointers against the Hawks but was still productive on offense, averaging 29.3 points and 7.7 assists across three meetings. The three-time All-Star has regularly elevated his game in the postseason, and the Knicks will go as far as he takes them in the playoffs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers center
Thomas Bryant (calf) will remain out on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors. He suffered a left calf strain late during the regular season and won't be in the lineup for a fifth consecutive game. Bryant has practiced in a limited capacity this week, so it's possible he can return later in the series. With Bryant unavailable,
Larry Nance Jr. returned to the rotation for the final few regular-season games, but he isn't expected to see much action in the playoffs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Toronto Raptors point guard
Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday's playoff opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He exited Toronto's regular-season finale early due to a tight right hamstring. The team considers him day-to-day. If Quickley isn't available on Saturday,
Jamal Shead and
Ja'Kobe Walter will compete for a starting role. Between the two, Shead has been more productive as a starter, recording averages of 11.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 1.3 steals this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) is expected to play on Friday against the Phoenix Suns, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. The Latvian veteran remains questionable on the injury report, but he appears ready to play through right ankle soreness. After struggling late during the regular season, Porzingis opened the Play-In Tournament with a strong performance on Wednesday, notching 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and one steal in 28 minutes against the Clippers. Due to his ankle issue, Porzingis might have a lighter workload on Friday night, leaving more playing time for
Al Horford and
Gui Santos.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Slater
April 17, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (abdomen) has been officially ruled out for Sunday's Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, The Athletic's Tony Jones reports. "I'm just worried about Sunday, and I know he's not playing in that one. So I'm just trying to put together a great game plan for Sunday," 76ers head coach Nick Nurse told reporters on Friday. Embiid hasn't played since April 6, missing the last three regular-season games and one Play-In Tournament game after undergoing an appendectomy.
Adem Bona finished the regular season as Philadelphia's starting center, while
Andre Drummond also had an expanded role.
--Taavi PailkSource: Tony Jones
April 17, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Ja Morant (elbow) is expected to be shopped again this offseason as the franchise continues its rebuild, with league executives believing a deal remains possible despite recent struggles. Morant played just 20 games this season before being shut down with a UCL sprain and averaged 19.5 points on 41.0 percent shooting, a dip from his All-Star peak. His uncertain situation adds risk in dynasty formats, while Memphis' youth movement could boost roles for players like
GG Jackson II and
Santi Aldama if the roster fully resets.
--Brian DailisanSource: Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright
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