May 7, 2025
Indiana Pacers center
Myles Turner played a pivotal role in Tuesday's 120-119 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers, posting 23 points on 8-for-17 shooting and blocking five shots. Additionally, he recorded eight rebounds with one steal and one block, finishing 2-for-5 with his shots from the three-point line. This was Turner's third outing in four games with 20-plus points. He is in a great position to enjoy further offensive success against the Cavaliers, as they lost
Evan Mobley (ankle) for Tuesday's Game 2. It was a difficult matchup on paper for Turner, but he has been strong in the series so far, averaging 18.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
May 7, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
May 7, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
May 7, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
May 7, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard/forward
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
May 7, 2025
Golden State Warriors point guard
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
May
6,
2025
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...
May 6, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard
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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
May 6, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Joe Vardon
May 6, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Joe Vardon
May 6, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Joe Vardon
May 6, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
May 6, 2025
Boston Celtics forward/center
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
May 6, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
May 6, 2025
Denver Nuggets center
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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