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Hornets Extend Charles Lee After 25-Win Improvement
The Charlotte Hornets have signed head coach Charles Lee to a contract extension, ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reports. The team did not release details of the deal. Lee took over the Hornets in 2024 after helping the Boston Celtics win the championship as an assistant coach. In Lee's debut season, Charlotte finished with the third-worst record in the league, going 19-63. However, the team improved significantly under his guidance in 2025-26, qualifying for the Play-In Tournament with a 44-38 record. That marks the most wins the Hornets have had since their last playoff appearance in 2015-16. The team will carry great momentum into next season, ranking first in offensive rating (120.7) and fifth in defensive rating (110.2) from Jan. 1 through the end of the regular season.
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Jarred Vanderbilt Ruled Out for Game 2 Against Thunder
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) will sit out Thursday's Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was always unlikely to play after dislocating his right pinky finger in Game 1 and receiving a doubtful tag on the initial injury report. Vanderbilt has averaged 12.0 minutes per game in the playoffs, so he won't be a major loss for the Lakers. Jake LaRavia will likely pick up most of Vanderbilt's minutes and aim to make a bigger impact than in Game 1. On Tuesday night, LaRavia contributed only two points, one rebound, one block, and one steal in 14 minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Luke Kennard Cleared to Play Thursday
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (neck) will be active on Thursday night in Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was added to the injury report on Wednesday due to neck soreness, but his status has been upgraded from questionable to available. Kennard has been a positive surprise for the Lakers this postseason, averaging 11.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals in 35.3 minutes per game. However, Kennard's three-point efficiency has fallen off a cliff in recent outings, as he has gone 2-for-10 over the last four games. The Duke product has to start making three-pointers again to provide more scoring for the team, behind LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ayo Dosunmu Considered Questionable for Game 3 Against Spurs
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (heel) is listed as questionable for Friday's Game 3 tilt against the San Antonio Spurs. In Game 2 on Wednesday, Dosunmu was cleared to return from a calf injury but hurt his right heel, exiting after logging just 10 minutes. The questionable tag suggests Dosunmu could be an option for Friday's matchup. If he isn't available, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Mike Conley will continue to have expanded roles, especially if Anthony Edwards (knee) remains under a minutes restriction.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Anthony Edwards Remains Questionable on Injury Report Ahead of Game 3
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) continues to carry a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. He has been upgraded to available in back-to-back games and is likely to remain in the lineup for Game 3. Minnesota has limited Edwards to 24.5 minutes per game since his return from a left knee injury, using him off the bench. Given Edwards' competitive nature, he'll be eager to resume his regular role and minutes as soon as possible, but the team is prioritizing his health. As a result, Edwards can't currently fulfill his maximum fantasy potential.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Mitchell Robinson Probable for Friday's Action
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (illness) is listed as probable for Game 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. The seven-footer has been dealing with an illness this week and missed Game 2. However, the probable tag suggests Robinson will be ready to rejoin the lineup on Friday night. Robinson has averaged 5.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per game this postseason. His workload could increase on Friday if New York has to play without OG Anunoby (hamstring), who is questionable. Still, given Robinson's injury history, the team won't want to overwork him and will likely keep his minutes well under 30.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Huerter Remains Out Thursday
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Kevin Huerter (adductor) has been ruled out for Thursday's Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team has downgraded Huerter from doubtful to out, resulting in his fifth consecutive absence due to a left adductor strain. With Huerter unavailable, Daniss Jenkins has started to log big minutes off the Pistons' bench. He made an all-around impact in Game 1 against the Cavaliers, recording 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Sam Merrill Unavailable Thursday
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Sam Merrill (hamstring) will miss Game 2 against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday. He suffered a left hamstring strain in the series opener and has been downgraded from questionable to out. Merrill's absence should give Jaylon Tyson and Dennis Schroder more opportunities to impact the game off the bench. However, they haven't been reliable DFS options in the postseason, and Tyson even had a scoreless outing in Game 1 despite logging 18 minutes of action.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
OG Anunoby Tagged as Questionable for Friday
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (hamstring) is considered questionable for Game 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. He has been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain after missing the final few minutes of Wednesday's Game 2 win. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Anunoby is considered day-to-day. While Anunoby could remain in the lineup, the Knicks have little incentive to take chances given their 2-0 series lead and will likely proceed with caution. Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson, and Landry Shamet will cover for Anunoby if needed on Friday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joel Embiid Listed as Questionable for Game 3 Against Knicks
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (ankle, hip) is listed as questionable for Game 3 against the New York Knicks on Friday night. The 2023 MVP entered the postseason recovering from an appendectomy and is now dealing with ankle and hip injuries. Philadelphia didn't have Embiid in the lineup for Game 2 of the series, and head coach Nick Nurse labeled him day-to-day. Andre Drummond started in Embiid's absence but was limited to six points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 15 minutes. Adem Bona and Dominick Barlow also helped cover for Embiid. Both recorded two blocks but did little else.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Paul George Does a Little Bit of Everything in Game 2 Loss
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George had one of his best performances of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on Wednesday, logging 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in a 108-102 loss to the New York Knicks. He made five triples on 13 attempts and finished 7-for-18 overall from the field. With Joel Embiid (ankle, hip) out of the lineup, George was clearly more active on the offensive end, but he struggled to convert his opportunities efficiently. If Embiid remains out for Game 3, George will likely continue to see increased offensive usage.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
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
