RADIO
Tyrese Maxey Tallies Team-High 26 Points in Wednesday's Loss
Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey scored a team-high 26 points with a 9-for-23 effort from the field in Wednesday's Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks. With Maxey leading the charge, the 76ers made it difficult for the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, but their offense fell apart late in the fourth quarter. Fatigue may have affected Maxey, who played the entire second half and logged 46:48 overall. Maxey, who was limited to 1-for-6 from deep, also posted three rebounds, six assists, and one steal, but six turnovers marred his line. While Maxey led his team in scoring on Wednesday and tied Jalen Brunson for the game high, his offensive play has been disappointing in the second-round series. So far, he has made only 37.5% of his field-goal attempts, going 1-for-9 from three-point range.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jalen Brunson Leads Knicks With 26 Points Wednesday
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson led his team in scoring with 26 points as the team secured a 2-0 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers with a 108-102 home win on Wednesday. In a tightly contested game, Brunson saved some of his best moves for last, scoring six points down the stretch when the teams were tied at 99. In 41 minutes, his line also included one rebound, six assists, and one steal. He had some efficiency issues in the game, finishing 1-for-5 with the three-ball and 9-for-21 from the field. Through two games in the second-round matchup, Brunson is averaging over 30 points per game and will certainly try to spearhead New York's effort in Game 3 again.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Victor Wembanyama Notches Another Double-Double
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama finished Wednesday's 133-95 Game 2 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 19-point, 15-rebound double-double. In 26 minutes on the floor, he added 15 rebounds, one steal, and two blocks. Wembanyama once again filled the box score despite a lackluster 7-for-15 effort from the field. For the second consecutive game, he struggled massively from downtown, going 2-for-7. The French superstar now boasts a four-game double-double streak, which includes one triple-double. Wembanyama is relishing his first opportunity to play playoff basketball, making an impact in all areas. Across six outings, he has averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 5.0 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Stephon Castle Scores Game-High 21 Points in Blowout Win
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle scored a game-high 21 points in Wednesday's 133-95 blowout win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, going 6-for-10 from the field and 9-for-9 at the charity stripe. Castle missed his lone three-point attempt while wrapping up his line in 24 minutes with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. The 21-year-old sophomore also had five turnovers, but they didn't affect the outcome as San Antonio completely dominated. In his first postseason campaign, Castle has done a good job as one of Victor Wembanyama's sidekicks. He's averaging 19.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 30.9 minutes per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ayo Dosunmu Exits Game 2 With Heel Issue
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu didn't complete Wednesday's Game 2 against the San Antonio Spurs due to right heel pain. He played only 10 minutes, recording one steal and one block. Dosunmu missed all four field-goal attempts. The Timberwolves had Dosunmu back in the lineup after he sat out two games with a sore calf. Unfortunately, he ran into a new health issue on Wednesday night, leaving him questionable for Game 3 and beyond. Terrence Shannon Jr. has performed well amid Minnesota's injury woes this postseason and could remain an important cog in the rotation if Dosunmu has to miss more time.
Source: Minnesota Timberwolves PR
Source: Minnesota Timberwolves PR
OG Anunoby Suffers Apparent Leg Injury Wednesday
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby appeared to have injured his right leg in the closing stages of Wednesday's Game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN's Vincent Goodwill reports. He left the action with 2:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. "It looked like he was hopping, but I don't know anything," Knicks head coach Mike Brown said postgame. "They haven't told me. I just know he left the game. Nobody said he was back. I haven't talked to anybody yet." Anunoby delivered a great performance before his injury, as he was a key figure in New York's 108-102 win. In 37 minutes, Anunoby recorded 24 points, five rebounds, two assists, four steals, and one block. He struggled from beyond the arc, going 2-for-7, but finished a solid 9-for-17 overall. Anunoby is enjoying a great postseason, and losing him would be a tough blow for the Knicks.
Source: Vincent Goodwill
Source: Vincent Goodwill
Sam Merrill Listed as Questionable for Thursday
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Sam Merrill (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Thursday's Game 2 against the Detroit Pistons. Due to a hamstring injury, Merrill played just seven minutes in the series opener on Tuesday. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday and didn't practice. It appears unlikely that Merrill will play, but the questionable tag leaves open the possibility he could be available. If not, Dennis Schroder and Jaylon Tyson may see larger roles off the bench. Merrill's absence will also likely increase the workload for some of the starters. He has played 18.5 minutes per game in the playoffs, averaging 6.6 points with a 37.9% success rate from beyond the arc.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Luke Kennard Tagged as Questionable for Game 2 Against Thunder
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (neck) has picked up a questionable tag on the injury report before Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. After recording seven points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 29 minutes off the bench in Game 1, Kennard is dealing with neck soreness. The second unit already lost Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) to injury in Tuesday's series-opening loss, so the starters could face a massive workload on Thursday night if Kennard is also out. Jaxson Hayes, Jake LaRavia, Bronny James Jr., and Dalton Knecht will be the primary bench options, but they can't be relied on for fantasy production.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jarred Vanderbilt Considered Doubtful for Thursday
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) is listed as doubtful for Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. The 27-year-old sustained a gruesome finger injury in Tuesday's series opener. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Vanderbilt is day-to-day, so he could still be an option in the series. Vanderbilt is averaging 3.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game this postseason. We will likely see Jake LaRavia handle a heavier workload if Vanderbilt misses time, but his fantasy value will remain limited.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Williams Still Out Thursday
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) has been listed as out for Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. He injured his left hamstring early in the playoffs and will be unavailable for a fourth consecutive game. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault mentioned on Monday that Williams remains week-to-week, adding that he is "progressing according to plan." Ajay Mitchell has broken into the starting lineup during Williams' absence, averaging 18.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists over the last three games. At the same time, Chet Holmgren has taken on a larger role on offense, posting back-to-back 24-point, 12-rebound double-doubles.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Carter Bryant Available Wednesday Night
San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (foot) is available on Wednesday night for Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 20-year-old rookie is dealing with a foot injury and didn't play in the series opener. Fortunately for the Spurs, they will have an extra option available off the bench in Game 2 after Bryant shook off a questionable tag. Bryant has averaged 3.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 9.2 minutes per game in his first postseason campaign, making five appearances.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Luka Doncic Reveals Recovery Timeline
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) revealed on Wednesday that he was initially given an eight-week recovery timeline, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. "The day I did the MRI on the hamstring, the doctor told me eight weeks [recovery] at the beginning," Doncic said. "I'm doing everything I can in the process, and I think we're on a good way. But at the beginning, he told me eight weeks." Thursday will mark five weeks to the day since Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Based on the initial timeline, Doncic still appears far from returning, but he has progressed to running. In an effort to speed up his recovery, Doncic underwent platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) while overseas.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Anthony Edwards Cleared for Game 2 Against Spurs
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) will play in Game 2 against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. The team initially listed Edwards as questionable for Wednesday night, then upgraded him to available. Edwards returned from a knee injury in Game 1, amassing 18 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one block in 25 minutes. Before Game 2, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch told reporters that Edwards "might be able to play a few more minutes." Minnesota also has Ayo Dosunmu back in the mix, so Terrence Shannon Jr.'s playing time will probably decrease substantially. Mike Conley's workload will likely be affected as well.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Mitchell Robinson is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (illness) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's Game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers. He was questionable coming into this game due to an illness, but the Knicks have ultimately decided to hold him out. His absence won't have a huge impact on the rotation, with Karl-Anthony Towns playing a majority of the minutes at center. Ariel Hukporti could pick up some additional playing time, but he won't be someone worth targeting in DFS contests.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Huerter is Doubtful for Game 2 on Thursday
Detroit Pistons guard Kevin Huerter (adductor) is currently considered doubtful ahead of Thursday's Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Huerter remains uncertain to play after already missing four straight games due to a lingering adductor injury. Daniss Jenkins, Javonte Green, and Duncan Robinson have all seen increased roles with Huerter on the sideline. The expectation is that it will continue to happen unless Huerter gets upgraded before tip-off on Thursday night. Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris should continue to do the heavy lifting on offense.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
