RADIO
Spencer Jones Starting in Game 3
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Spencer Jones will take Aaron Gordon's (calf) spot in the starting lineup on Thursday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 24-year-old will start at least one game as Gordon manages left-calf tightness. A spot in the starting unit typically puts players in a better position to make an impact, but Spencer's effectiveness has not shown up in the box score. In 37 regular-season starts, he averaged 7.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. Cameron Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown will also help cover for Gordon's absence.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joel Embiid Picks Up Doubtful Tag Before Game 3
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (abdomen) has been upgraded to doubtful on the injury report before Friday's Game 3 against the Boston Celtics. Embiid is two weeks removed from a successful appendectomy and was a limited participant at Thursday's practice. He appears to be nearing his return to action, but Friday's game could come too soon for the former MVP. With Embiid on the shelf, Adem Bona and Andre Drummond have held down the fort at the No. 5 spot in the first-round series. Drummond has offered more DFS production, averaging 6.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in 24.0 minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Durant Iffy for Friday Night Due to Ankle Issue
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (ankle) is questionable for Friday's Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran star returned from a knee injury in Game 2 of the series, but he's now back on the injury report with a left ankle sprain. If Durant can't suit up on Friday night, Reed Sheppard is set to return to the starting unit. Even with a full lineup, Sheppard will carry a heavier workload in Friday's game after Rockets head coach Ime Udoka told reporters on Thursday that he would see increased minutes. In Tuesday's Game 2, Sheppard was limited to 11 minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Victor Wembanyama Officially Listed as Questionable for Game 3
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (concussion) has been tagged as questionable on the official injury report before Friday's Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers. The French phenom has traveled with the team to Portland and could be available to play despite his nasty fall in Tuesday's Game 2 loss. Wembanyama must clear concussion protocol before he can suit up again. If that doesn't happen in time for Friday's game, Luke Kornet would start at center. During the regular season, Kornet rolled with the first unit in 25 games, averaging 7.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaylen Clark Won't Play Thursday
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Terrence Shannon Jr. (illness) and guard/forward Jaylen Clark (illness) won't suit up on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets. Both players were added to the injury report on Thursday morning due to illness, and the team has downgraded them from questionable to out ahead of tip-off. Even when in the lineup, Shannon Jr. and Clark haven't played in this series, so their absence doesn't have a significant impact on Minnesota's rotation. Ayo Dosunmu and Naz Reid will continue to lead the second unit in Game 3.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Aaron Gordon Ruled Out Thursday
Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) will miss Thursday's Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gordon was listed as probable on the initial injury report before he was suddenly downgraded to questionable on Thursday afternoon. Now, he has been officially ruled out due to tightness in his left calf. Gordon's workload has increased to 33.0 minutes per game in the postseason, leaving the Nuggets with a significant void in the rotation on Thursday night. With Gordon absent, Cameron Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown could all assume more important roles.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Anthony Edwards Cleared to Play Thursday
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) will play in Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. Edwards has been listed as questionable on the initial injury report ahead of each game this postseason as he deals with a knee problem. However, it doesn't seem to be a serious enough issue to keep him sidelined. That said, the injury could be affecting his play in this series, at least in terms of scoring efficiency. Edwards has made only 38.6 percent of his field-goal attempts, averaging 26.0 points per game. He has also notched 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 blocks.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Williams Week-to-Week Ahead of Game 3
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) is considered week-to-week with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and is expected to miss multiple games in the Western Conference first-round series against Phoenix, including Saturday's Game 3. He exited Game 2 early, and the timeline points to at least a short absence. Oklahoma City will likely spread his minutes across Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace, and Ajay Mitchell, while Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins could also see increased run. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should carry even more usage, making him an elite DFS anchor.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Harrison Barnes Available for Game 3
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (hand) will be available for Friday's Western Conference first-round Game 3 against Portland after exiting late in Game 2 with an upper-body issue. He logged 15 minutes with four points and one rebound before leaving but returned to practice ahead of this contest. Barnes is expected to continue in a limited bench role, making him a low-upside DFS option. His return adds wing depth, but Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell should continue leading the scoring load.
Source: Tom Orsborn
Source: Tom Orsborn
Victor Wembanyama Traveling with Team Ahead of Game 3
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (concussion) will travel with the team ahead of Friday's Western Conference first-round Game 3 against Portland, though his availability remains uncertain as he progresses through protocol. He was present at practice and did some light on-court work, but a final decision has not been made. If he sits, the Spurs would likely shift minutes across the frontcourt, with Keldon Johnson and Luke Kornet seeing more run. Wembanyama brings elite DFS upside if cleared, but the injury risk makes him a tougher call in single-game formats.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Thomas Bryant Cleared for Game 3
Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (calf) is available for Thursday's Eastern Conference first-round Game 3 against Toronto after being upgraded earlier in the day. He has not played since early April, so his role remains uncertain and likely limited off the bench behind Jarrett Allen. Bryant's return is not expected to change Cleveland's rotation much, with Allen and Evan Mobley continuing to handle most frontcourt minutes. Bryant is not a DFS option due to workload concerns, while Mobley remains the stronger play given his consistent production.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Taylor Jenkins Set to Become Bucks Head Coach
According to Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks are finalizing a deal to hire Taylor Jenkins as their next head coach, bringing in a defensive-minded leader to reset a team that finished 32-50 and missed the playoffs. Jenkins posted a 250-214 record in Memphis and consistently built strong defensive units, which aligns with Milwaukee's needs after ranking near the bottom in both scoring and points allowed. His system could elevate Giannis Antetokounmpo's defensive role while helping define structure for players like Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma in a reworked rotation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Immanuel Quickley Still Sidelined for Game 3
Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) is out for Thursday's Eastern Conference first-round Game 3 against Cleveland and will miss at least one more contest in this series. He has yet to suit up in the matchup, leaving Toronto to continue relying on alternate backcourt options. Jamal Shead is expected to remain in the starting role after logging 38 minutes with three points and four assists in Game 2, while Ja'Kobe Walter adds scoring punch off the bench after a 14-point outing. Shead offers volume-based DFS value, while Walter remains the better scoring option.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ja'Kobe Walter Good to Go for Game 3
Toronto Raptors guard Ja'Kobe Walter (illness) is available for Thursday's Eastern Conference first-round Game 3 against Cleveland after initially carrying a questionable tag. With Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) still out, Walter should continue seeing steady run after averaging 10.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 28.0 minutes in the first two games. He remains a viable DFS value play given his role stability, especially if his minutes hold. Jamal Shead should still handle lead guard duties, while Walter's presence helps support secondary scoring behind RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Paolo Banchero Finishes Game 2 Loss With 18 Points
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero was quiet offensively in Wednesday's 98-83 Game 2 loss to the Detroit Pistons, recording 18 points. He went 7-for-17 from the field and 4-for-8 at the line as Orlando scored 21 or fewer points in three of four quarters during a rough outing. Additionally, Banchero's efforts included a team-high eight assists, six rebounds, one steal, and one block in 34 minutes. After a strong regular-season series against the Pistons, Banchero has been limited to 20.5 points in the playoffs. Next, the 23-year-old star has a pair of home games to build momentum.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
