Naz Reid Comes To Life Against Warriors
Naz Reid returned to his Sixth Man of the Year form in Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, putting up 19 points on 8-for-14 shooting and collecting five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in a 99-88 loss. Reid, who was 3-for-7 from behind the arc, appeared to have injured his left leg in the second quarter but was able to finish the contest, logging 34 minutes. Minnesota saw Reid contribute only 11.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in Round 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers, but it looks like he will have a much more important role to play in the matchup against the Warriors.Source: ESPN
Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Anthony Edwards Posts Second Consecutive Double-Double
Anthony Edwards led his squad in several categories on Tuesday night, but the team suffered a 99-88 loss in Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors. The Timberwolves got off to a really slow start, scoring only 31 points in the first half. Things improved in the second 24 minutes, with Edwards leading the way. He finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block, shooting 9-for-22 from the field and 1-for-5 from downtown. Edwards has now recorded two consecutive double-doubles for the second time this season, but Minnesota definitely needs to get more scoring from him. The young superstar has been limited to 38 total points over the last two contests.Source: ESPN
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Jimmy Butler III Fills Box Score On Busy Night
Jimmy Butler III nearly recorded a triple-double in Tuesday's Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, finishing a 99-88 road victory with 20 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in 41 minutes. He went 7-for-20 from the field, including 2-for-8 from downtown, and had a quiet night at the free-throw line this time around, going 4-for-6. Butler III helped Golden State to overcome the loss of Stephen Curry (hamstring) in the contest and is expected to take on extra responsibilities on the offensive end going forward if Curry must sit out additional time. Over the last three games, Butler III has averaged 22.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 7.7 assists.Source: ESPN
Golden State Warriors forward Buddy Hield Leads All Scorers With 24 Points In Game 1 Victory
Buddy Hield finished Tuesday's 99-89 win in Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves as the leading scorer in the contest, putting up 24 points on 7-for-19 shooting. Hield initially struggled to hit shots, but he stepped up for the Warriors after Stephen Curry (hamstring) exited the game. He was only two rebounds short of a double-double, dished out three assists, and snagged one steal while hitting 5-for-8 from downtown. After combining for only four points in Games 5 and 6 against the Houston Rockets, Hield has exploded for 57 points across two outings, sinking 14 attempts from three-point range. With Curry potentially missing more time, the Warriors are set to rely more on Hield offensively moving forward.Source: ESPN
Golden State Warriors guard/forward Stephen Curry To Undergo An MRI Wednesday
Stephen Curry (hamstring) will undergo an MRI on Wednesday and is considered day-to-day by the team, ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reports. The veteran superstar injured his left hamstring in Tuesday's Game 1 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr sounded pessimistic about Curry's chances of playing in Game 2 on Thursday night. "We don't know yet," Kerr said. "But with a hamstring, it's hard to imagine that he would play Thursday." Curry's injury is a tough pill to swallow, but the Warriors proved on Tuesday that they can cope without him. Jimmy Butler III and Buddy Hield spearheaded the offense in Curry's absence. Meanwhile, the situation provides Brandin Podziemski and Gary Payton II with more playing opportunities.Source: ESPN
Golden State Warriors point guard Donovan Mitchell Erupts In Game 2
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 48 points in Tuesday's playoff clash with the Pacers. He added nine assists, five rebounds, four steals, and one block. With Darius Garlandread more...
Tyrese Haliburton Drains Game-Winning Shot On Tuesday Night
Tyrese Haliburton had 19 points in Tuesday's win over the Cavs. He added nine rebounds and four assists. The 25-year-old wasn't as productive on the scoring end in this one compared to Game 1. However, he made up for it by draining a 24-foot three-point shot to win the game and put the Pacers up 2-0 in the series. Without question, Cleveland will need to make some adjustments heading into Game 3 on Friday night, including figuring out how to keep Haliburton in check.Source: ESPN
Indiana Pacers guard De'Andre Hunter Ruled Out For Game 2
De'Andre Hunter (thumb) will miss Tuesday's Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers. He sprained his right thumb in the series opener on Sunday and has been downgraded from questionable to out. Evan Mobley (ankle) will also exit the lineup on Tuesday, meaning players such as Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro must step up. As a result of the injuries, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson may also decide to bring Javonte Green back into the rotation.Source: Joe Vardon
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Darius Garland Remains Out Tuesday
Darius Garland (toe) has been downgraded from questionable to out for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers. This marks his fourth consecutive absence due to a toe injury. Sam Merrill is likely to continue filling in for Garland in the starting unit, while Ty Jerome will have a more significant role in the rotation. Jerome has averaged 17.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists since Garland exited the lineup. Due to his absence, Donovan Mitchell also takes on even more responsibility on offense.Source: Joe Vardon
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Evan Mobley Out On Tuesday
Evan Mobley (ankle) will not play in Tuesday's Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers. The 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year injured his left ankle in Game 1 and was listed as questionable on the initial injury report. The Cavaliers have already been without Darius Garland (toe) and must also do without De'Andre Hunter (thumb) on Tuesday, leaving the team shorthanded. Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome are sure to take on leading roles on offense, while Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade are set for a substantial increase in minutes.Source: Joe Vardon
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Sam Hauser Listed As Doubtful For Game 2
Sam Hauser (ankle) has been listed as doubtful for Wednesday's Game 2 against the New York Knicks. He injured his right ankle in the series opener on Monday night, and the doubtful tag suggests that it is unlikely we will see Hauser on the court in Game 2. Al Horford and Payton Pritchard are expected to share Hauser's minutes if he can't play. The two combined for 20 points and 10 rebounds in Monday's 108-105 overtime loss. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla may also consider incorporating Baylor Scheierman into the rotation for a minor role.Source: NBA Injury Report
Boston Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis Likely Available For Game 2
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is likely to suit up on Wednesday night against the New York Knicks, as the team has listed him as probable for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Latvian big man logged only 13 minutes in the series opener on Monday, exiting the action due to illness. It has been a challenging postseason for Porzingis, who has averaged just 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting a dismal 32.8 percent from the field. If he can't improve his performance, the Celtics might find that having Al Horford on the court could be a better option for the team.Source: NBA Injury Report
Boston Celtics forward/center Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Close To 30-Point Triple-Double In Game 1 Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished Monday's 121-119 loss to the Denver Nuggets with 33 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block. The Canadian superstar stuffed the stat sheet, coming close to a 30-point triple-double, but fellow MVP candidate Nikola Jokic still outshone him on the night, as he led his team to victory with a 42-point, 22-rebound effort. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 12-for-26 from the field, including 2-for-6 from three-point range, and was 7-for-9 at the free-throw line. Monday night ended in a massive disappointment for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, but this should get the team even more fired up for Wednesday's Game 2.Source: ESPN
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Jokic Opens Conference Semifinals With Monster Effort
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.Source: ESPN
Denver Nuggets center OG Anunoby Leads Knicks Comeback Monday Night
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.Source: ESPN
New York Knicks forward