RADIO
Luka Doncic Officially Won't Play During First-Round Series
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) will officially remain sidelined for the entire first-round series. There was some hope that Doncic would play, but they'd decided to sit him out entirely. The Lakers currently hold a 3-1 lead over the Houston Rockets right now. It seems like the Lakers are going to be fine without Doncic, and hope that he returns for the next round. His absence should mean increased offensive workloads for LeBron James, Rui Hachimara, and Deandre Ayton.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jonathan Isaac to Remain Out for Game 4
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's Game 4 against the Detroit Pistons. Isaac continues to deal with a sprained left knee that has kept him sidelined for nearly two months. It's unclear if Isaac is going to play at all during this series. Even if he does suit up eventually, Isaac will likely have an extremely limited role in the rotation. His continued absence should mean a larger role for Jamal Cain. He has been playing minutes in the teens and isn't worth a look as a DFS option right now.
Source: Jason Beede
Source: Jason Beede
De'Aaron Fox Notches Game-High 28 Points Sunday
San Antonio Spurs point guard De'Aaron Fox contributed a game-high 28 points in Sunday's 114-93 road victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Victor Wembanyama's return to action and his performance were in focus in this game, but Fox enjoyed a brilliant outing in the background. He had an 11-for-17 record from the field, going 4-for-8 with the three-ball, and also made a mark with six rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and two blocks. This was clearly Fox's best performance of the postseason, although his average numbers are looking solid. The two-time All-Star has tallied 20.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Joel Embiid Returns With Double-Double
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid scored a team-high 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Sunday's 128-98 loss to the Boston Celtics. Philadelphia had Embiid available for the first time in this series, but still couldn't hang with the Celtics. The former MVP started well but ran out of gas as the game progressed, missing seven consecutive field-goal attempts at one point. Given that Embiid had an appendectomy just 17 days ago, this wasn't surprising. After the game, he admitted he is still experiencing complications from the procedure. Embiid, who logged 34 minutes, finished 9-for-21 from the floor, missing five of six from three-point range. He wrapped up his line with six assists, one steal, and one block. Overall, it was a good comeback performance, but the 76ers will need more from Embiid in Tuesday's Game 5 to avoid elimination.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jayson Tatum Logs 30-Point Double-Double in Sunday's Win
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum dominated against the Philadelphia 76ers in Sunday's Game 4, recording 30 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists in a blowout victory. He had his third double-double of the series, his first with assists. Tatum netted five triples for a second consecutive game and made exactly half of his 16 field-goal attempts. He was 9-for-9 at the line. Philadelphia rocked Boston in Game 2 with a road win, but the Celtics are dictating the series, and Tatum looks very sharp. He has averaged 24.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in 37.3 minutes per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
LeBron James Quiet in Game 4 Loss to Rockets
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was limited to 10 points as the team failed to clinch its spot in the second round of the playoffs on Sunday night, losing 115-96 to the Houston Rockets. With James in top form, the Lakers secured a 3-0 series lead, but they were second-best from the outset in Game 4. James made only two of nine field-goal attempts and scored most of his points at the charity stripe, going six-for-six. He grabbed four rebounds and handed out nine assists. Worryingly for the Lakers, James posted eight turnovers for a second consecutive game. Sunday night was a major struggle for James, but he should be fired up to produce a strong bounce-back performance in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Julius Randle Handed $35K Fine for His Part in Game 4 Altercation
Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Julius Randle was fined $35,000 for his part in an altercation in the final seconds of Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. Minnesota blew out the Nuggets on home court, but forward Jaden McDaniels went for an uncontested layup with 1.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter. This irked Nikola Jokic, and the two teams got into an altercation on the court. Randle escalated the situation with several shoves. Both Jokic and Randle were ejected from the game. No suspensions were handed out for the incident. Losing more players is the last thing the Timberwolves need after Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) were injured in Game 5. As a result, we should see Julius Randle take on more offensive duties for the rest of the series.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Nikola Jokic Fined $50K for Game 4 Incident
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been fined $50,000 for his involvement in an altercation late in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. Tensions flared between the teams after Jokic took exception to Jaden McDaniels' uncontested layup in the final seconds, by which time the Timberwolves had already clinched an impressive victory and a 3-1 series lead. No suspensions were handed out, despite several players -- including Aaron Gordon, Jonas Valanciunas, Rudy Gobert, and Bones Hyland -- leaving the bench area. Jokic is averaging 25.0 points, 14.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in the series. But he hasn't been quite himself and will look to increase his performance level in Monday's must-win Game 5.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Collin Murray-Boyles Continues to Shine for Raptors
Toronto Raptors forward/center Collin Murray-Boyles recorded his first career postseason double-double in Sunday's 93-89 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The rookie big man scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, playing a pivotal role in a series-tying win. Murray-Boyles, who was 5-for-11 from the field and 5-for-7 at the charity stripe, also contributed three assists and two steals. With Toronto's starting center, Jakob Poeltl, struggling in the series, Murray-Boyles has received an opportunity to shine. He has averaged 17.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals in 25.5 minutes per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Deni Avdija Returns to Form Sunday
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija was back to his best in Sunday's 114-93 Game 4 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, leading his team with 26 points. He added seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal to his stat line, finishing 8-for-14 from the field and 8-for-9 at the line. In the previous two games combined, Avdija managed only 33 points. 12 of his 19 points in Game 3 came from free throws. Although Avdija did a good job on Sunday, he couldn't prevent Portland from falling into a 3-1 hole in the series. The team will now face an elimination game on Tuesday.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Victor Wembanyama Stuffs Stat Sheet in His Return
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (concussion) showed no rust in Sunday's Game 4 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, totaling 27 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, four steals, and seven blocks in 34 minutes. He made all eight free-throw attempts and went 9-for-17 from the field, including 1-for-4 from downtown. The 2026 NBA Defensive Player of the Year was back in action after missing one game due to a concussion. As a result of Wembanyama's return, Luke Kornet moved back to the second unit, finishing with two points, seven rebounds, and one steal in 12 minutes. Portland must slow down Wembanyama if they want to avoid a quick first-round exit, but that's easier said than done.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Austin Reaves Won't Suit Up Sunday
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (oblique) won't play on Sunday in Game 4 against the Houston Rockets, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. He was listed as questionable on the initial injury report and deemed a game-time decision. The Lakers hold a comfortable 3-0 series lead, so there's no reason to rush Reaves back. He sustained a left oblique strain three weeks ago. There's also no Luka Doncic (hamstring) for the Lakers, meaning Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart will continue to play leading roles in the backcourt. Both have been excellent DFS options so far in the playoffs, combining for 41.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 12.0 assists, and 4.7 steals per game.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Jonathan Isaac Likely to Remain Out Monday
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) will likely remain sidelined on Monday against the Detroit Pistons, as the team has listed him as doubtful on the injury report. Isaac is battling a left knee sprain and last saw action six weeks ago. His absence hasn't affected the Magic, as Isaac averaged just 10.0 minutes per game during the regular season, tallying 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds. During Isaac's absence, Jamal Cain has carved out a role in the rotation, but his fantasy impact is minimal. Across three playoff appearances, Cain has recorded 3.7 points and 1.0 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per game.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Isaiah Joe Available for Game 4 Monday
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (personal) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Monday's Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns. The three-point specialist wasn't in the lineup for Game 3 on Saturday for personal reasons. Joe averaged a career-high 11.1 points during the regular season but hasn't found his stride in the playoffs yet. In the first two games of the first-round matchup, Joe averaged 7.5 points in 17.5 minutes, making only a third of his field-goal attempts. Aaron Wiggins re-entered the rotation on Saturday and may lose his spot now that Joe is back.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Aaron Gordon Uncertain for Monday
Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) is considered questionable for Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. The 30-year-old is dealing with a calf injury and didn't play in Game 3. He returned to the lineup for Game 4, but logged only 23 minutes and sat out most of the fourth quarter. The injury appears to be affecting Gordon's effectiveness, as he has managed only 11.3 points per game in the series, making 40 percent of his field-goal attempts. In Game 4, Spencer Jones started in Gordon's place and is likely to get the nod again if Gordon can't play on Monday. Nevertheless, Jones won't have much DFS appeal due to his limited production.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
