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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
Jordan Goodwin Considered Questionable for Monday's Elimination Game
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Jordan Goodwin (calf) will likely be listed as questionable for Monday's must-win Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports. Goodwin injured his left calf in the series opener, and his absence opened the door for Collin Gillespie to start. Grayson Allen's return to action also helped cover for Goodwin's absence in Game 3. In an ideal world, the Suns would want everyone available as they face playoff elimination on Monday night.
Source: Duane Rankin
Source: Duane Rankin
Joel Embiid Ready to Return Sunday
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (abdomen) will make his 2026 postseason debut in Sunday's Game 4 against the Boston Celtics. He has been named a starter for the matchup after being upgraded from doubtful to questionable earlier on Sunday. Embiid hasn't played since April 6 and underwent an appendectomy three days later, so he might be a bit rusty as Philadelphia attempts to tie the first-round series. But it will be great to see him back in action. Adem Bona and Andre Drummond must settle for smaller roles now that Embiid is back in the lineup.
Source: Philadelphia 76ers
Source: Philadelphia 76ers
Mark Williams to Remain Out Monday
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (foot) will remain sidelined on Monday in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports. He hasn't been part of the playoff action so far due to a foot injury. Phoenix might be eliminated on Monday, so it's possible Williams won't get another chance to return this season. In his absence, Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach will continue to share the duties at the center position. Ighodaro had his best performance of the series in Game 3, notching 15 points, three rebounds, four assists, and one block in 39 minutes. Maluach has only averaged 13.3 minutes per game and doesn't warrant attention from DFS managers.
Source: Duane Rankin
Source: Duane Rankin
Kevin Huerter Listed as Questionable for Monday
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Kevin Huerter (hip) is listed as questionable for Game 4 against the Orlando Magic on Monday. He might have to sit out this one after injuring his left hip in Saturday's Game 3 loss. Huerter has been limited to 2.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 13.3 minutes per game this postseason. His absence on Monday might boost Caris LeVert's playing time. He has so far logged just 7.3 minutes per game in the first-round series. It's also possible the Pistons will reinsert Ron Holland II into the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kelly Oubre Jr. Cleared to Play Sunday
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (adductor) will be active for Sunday's Game 4 against the Boston Celtics. Following his 40-minute outing in Game 3, Oubre Jr. landed on the injury report with a sore right adductor. But the team has upgraded his status from questionable to available ahead of tip-off. Oubre Jr. has been Philadelphia's fourth-leading scorer in the playoffs and one of the team's best rebounders. He has averaged 13.0 points and 6.0 boards in 34.3 minutes per game.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Anthony Edwards Faces Multi-Week Absence
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) will be out of action for multiple weeks, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The Timberwolves lost their star man to a knee injury in Saturday's win over Denver. He has been diagnosed with a bone bruise and hyperextension of his left knee. Tests on Edwards' knee revealed no ligament damage, which will be a relief for the player and team. However, Edwards must still sit out some action. He is expected to miss the rest of the first round and probably will be sidelined at the start of the second-round series as well, should Minnesota get past the Nuggets. Following Edwards' injury on Saturday night, Ayo Dosunmu erupted for a career-high 43 points and will continue to have additional offensive duties until Edwards returns. The team will also look to Julius Randle to be more of an offensive leader.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
