RADIO
Kevin Durant Remains Out Sunday
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (ankle) won't play in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. His status has been downgraded from questionable to out. The two-time Finals MVP will miss a second consecutive game due to an ankle injury and won't be part of Houston's lineup for the third time in this series. Durant's absence will allow Reed Sheppard to retain his spot in the starting unit. Meanwhile, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason will be counted on to be more productive in the frontcourt as the Rockets try to stave off elimination on Sunday night.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Desmond Bane Nails Seven Triples En Route to 25 Points
Orlando Magic guard/forward Desmond Bane came alive in Saturday's 113-105 Game 3 win over the Detroit Pistons, scoring 25 points with a 7-for-9 effort from deep. He finished 9-for-18 overall from the field, nearly scoring more points than he had managed across the first two games of the series (27). On Saturday, Bane was also active on the glass, collecting seven rebounds, but he finished with zero assists. Defensively, the 27-year-old recorded one steal. Paolo Banchero once again struggled to score efficiently, which made Bane's contribution crucial on Saturday. He will look to replicate this effort in Monday's Game 4.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cade Cunningham Finishes Loss With Nine Turnovers
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham struggled to handle the ball in Saturday's Game 3 against the Orlando Magic, committing nine turnovers in a 113-105 loss. The rest of the Pistons gave up the ball just seven times. It was a frustrating outing for Cunningham, whose scoring efficiency also left a lot to be desired. En route to a game-high 27 points, the two-time All-Star went 8-for-23 from the field, including 3-for-10 from behind the arc. Cunningham missed a second consecutive double-double by one assist and grabbed five rebounds. Despite his efforts, the Pistons are now trailing 2-1 in the series and clearly need to get more out of Jalen Duren, who has been limited to 9.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Drops 42 Points on Suns in Game 3
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored at will in Saturday's Game 3 win over the Phoenix Suns, finishing with 42 points. He had the same amount of points as Devin Booker and Jalen Green combined, going an incredible 15-for-18 from the field and 11-for-12 at the foul line. The reigning MVP also played his part on offense with eight assists and tallied four rebounds and one steal. Even after losing Jalen Williams (hamstring), the defending champions look like a no-match for the Suns and will have a chance to sweep the series on Monday. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 34.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists this postseason.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Karl-Anthony Towns Joins Exclusive List With Triple-Double
New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns posted a 20-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in Saturday's 114-98 Game 4 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Previously, only three players in Knicks history had finished a playoff game with a triple-double. Toews needed just 29 minutes of action to get there, making six of his 10 field-goal attempts and going 7-for-9 at the charity stripe. His offensive efforts included one make from downtown with two attempts. On the defensive end, Toews came up with two steals. The Knicks big man has been very effective in the first-round series, making an impact on both ends of the floor. He has averaged 21.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.3 steals.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Julius Randle Tossed From Game 4
Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Julius Randle was ejected with 1.3 seconds remaining in Saturday's Game 4 victory over the Denver Nuggets. He was involved in a shoving match after Jaden McDaniels scored an uncontested layup when everyone had already stopped playing. This irked Nikola Jokic, who was also ejected for his role in the incident. Both players may face further disciplinary action, but a suspension is unlikely because no punches were thrown. Randle finished the night with 15 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in 32 minutes. The Nuggets limited him to a 6-for-16 effort from the field. Following injuries to Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles), Randle could be asked to carry a heavier offensive load in Game 5 and beyond.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Nikola Jokic Ejected in Game 4 Loss
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic wasn't on the floor during the final buzzer in Saturday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves after he was ejected from the contest. The three-time MVP was involved in an altercation after Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels scored an uncontested transition layup with 1.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter. By then, the game was already decided, with Minnesota securing a 3-1 series lead with a big home win. "I don't regret it," Jokic said postgame. "Because he scored after everybody stopped playing." Jokic once again stuffed the stat sheet, but he called his performance in the series "average." He finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and one block on Saturday. Minnesota has limited the star big man to below 40 percent efficiency from the field, but Jokic has still averaged 25.0 points per game, along with 14.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.5 steals.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Donte DiVincenzo Diagnosed With Torn Right Achilles
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo tore his right Achilles tendon in Saturday's win over the Denver Nuggets, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Only 1:19 minutes into the game, DiVincenzo grabbed his lower leg area and went to the locker room. He didn't need assistance to leave the floor, which was an encouraging sign. But the truth of the matter is that he suffered a serious injury, and the postseason is over for DiVincenzo. He will also have to miss most, if not all, of the 2026-27 campaign. Anthony Edwards (knee) was also injured in Game 4, so Minnesota's rotation and offense could look very different going forward. Ayo Dosunmu, Bones Hyland, and Mike Conley must all chip in more.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Anthony Edwards Injures Left Knee Saturday
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) didn't play in the second half of Saturday's Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets. He injured his left knee late in the first half, finishing the contest with five points and three rebounds in 18 minutes. The Timberwolves superstar has previously dealt with a right knee issue, sitting out 12 of the last 14 regular-season games. Minnesota also lost Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) on Saturday night, which led to Ayo Dosunmu taking over the offense. Dosunmu scored 43 points in 42 minutes and could have a larger role for the foreseeable future if Edwards misses additional time.
Source: NBA.com
Source: NBA.com
A.J. Lawson Questionable for Sunday Due to Back Spasms
Toronto Raptors guard/forward A.J. Lawson (back) has landed on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Sunday's Game 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 25-year-old is dealing with back spasms and might join Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) on the sidelines. Quickley is the bigger loss for Toronto, given Lawson's limited role. His playing time has been decreasing throughout the series, and he was on the floor for just two minutes in Thursday's Game 3 victory. Jamal Shead and Collin Murray-Boyles are the main guys off the bench for Toronto.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Huerter Injures Left Hip Saturday
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Kevin Huerter (hip) missed the fourth quarter of Saturday's Game 3 loss to the Orlando Magic. The team initially announced that Huerter was questionable to return due to left hip soreness. Despite logging 15 minutes, Huerter finished the game scoreless. However, he did contribute five assists and one steal. Huerter has been one of Detroit's primary bench options, but he's averaged only 2.0 points and 3.0 assists in the playoffs. If Huerter has to miss additional time, Caris LeVert and Daniss Jenkins might get more burn in upcoming games.
Source: Detroit Pistons PR
Source: Detroit Pistons PR
Kelly Oubre Jr. Iffy for Sunday
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (adductor) has been tagged as questionable on the injury report before Sunday's Game 4 against the Boston Celtics. Oubre Jr. was among Philadelphia's top performers in Friday's loss, but he also appears to have hurt his right adductor. On Friday night, Oubre Jr. totaled 17 points, one assist, one steal, and one block in 40 minutes of action. If he has to sit out Sunday's game, Quentin Grimes will likely slide into the first unit. Justin Edwards will also help cover for Oubre Jr.'s absence, while Dominick Barlow might rejoin the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Victor Wembanyama Still Questionable on Injury Report
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (concussion) is considered questionable for Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. He could be out for a second consecutive contest after suffering a concussion in Game 2 of the series. Before Friday's Game 3, San Antonio also listed Wembanyama as questionable on the initial injury report. Luke Kornet got the starting nod in his place on Friday, while Carter Bryant also saw extra action in the frontcourt. The rookie made a big defensive impact, recording a game-high three blocks. Kornet contributed two blocks and maneuvered his way to a double-double, with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Durant Uncertain for Sunday's Action
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (ankle) is considered questionable for Sunday's elimination game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets are 3-0 down in the series and have had Durant in the lineup just once in the playoffs. He missed Game 1 with a knee injury and wasn't available for Game 3 due to an ankle injury. "He's getting treatment still around the clock," Rockets head Ime Udoka said Saturday. "I think there's some soreness and [he's] pushed a lot of swelling out, but it'll be a matter of if he can go. We'll try it out I'm sure tomorrow morning and before the game, and we'll know his status then." In Durant's absence, Reed Sheppard started on Friday night, finishing a heartbreaking overtime loss with 17 points, four rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Austin Reaves Listed as Questionable for Sunday's Game 4
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (oblique) is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 against the Houston Rockets. The Lakers' second-highest scorer is nearing his return from an oblique injury, having been upgraded to questionable on the injury report earlier in the week. He wasn't yet cleared to play in Friday's Game 3, but he will get a new chance to make his comeback this weekend. Reaves was seen putting up shots on Saturday. Luke Kennard has played well during the Lakers' backcourt injury crisis, but he will likely have to give up his starting spot if Reaves is ready to suit up on Sunday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
