Kelly Olynyk Undergoes Heel Procedure
Kelly Olynyk has undergone a minimally invasive surgery on his left heel and ultrasound-guided tendon debridement, the team announced. He had the procedure performed on Friday and is expected to be out for around 3-4 months. Olynyk should be ready for the start of the 2025-26 campaign, but the surgery will certainly impact his offseason work. The veteran big man will enter a contract year next season. His numbers dropped across the board this season, but Olynyk should have some extra motivation in 2025-26 as he approaches his 35th birthday. He finished this season with averages of 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 20.3 minutes over 44 games with the Pelicans and Toronto Raptors.Source: NBA.com
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Aaron Nesmith Probable For Tuesday's Action
Aaron Nesmith (back) is listed as probable for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 25-year-old is carrying a lower back bruise, but this is not expected to keep him off the floor. Nesmith has had a highly successful series, averaging 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. He has scored at least 14 points in three out of four games, primarily due to his impressive 52.4 percent success rate from three-point range. Nesmith has averaged 27.5 minutes a night, so there will be a considerable gap to fill in the rotation if he suffers a setback and can't play.Source: NBA Injury Report
Indiana Pacers forward Jimmy Butler III Officially Active For Game 4
Jimmy Butler III (pelvis) is officially active for Monday's meeting with the Rockets. He also won't be on a minutes restriction. The veteran had 25 points and five steals in Game 1. Yet, he suffered a pelvic contusion the following contest, limiting him to only seven minutes and keeping him off the floor for Game 3. With Butler back in the lineup, Jonathan Kuminga will likely head back to the bench, possibly even falling out of the rotation altogether.Source: NBA Injury Report
Golden State Warriors forward Isaiah Stewart Uncertain For Game 5
Isaiah Stewart (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's clash with the Knicks. He was on the floor for Game 1, finishing with two points, five boards, and two blocks. However, the veteran has missed the last three games. If Stewart is unavailable for a fourth-straight contest, Dennis Schroder and Malik Beasley should see more action from off the bench, with the duo combining for 19 points in Game 4.Source: NBA Injury Report
Detroit Pistons forward/center Michael Porter Jr. Expected To Play In Game 5
Michael Porter Jr. (shoulder) is probable for Tuesday's postseason matchup with the Clippers. The 2018 No. 14 overall pick injured his shoulder earlier in the series. Fortunately, it hasn't kept him off the floor. Russell Westbrook (foot) is questionable for this one after missing Game 4 on Saturday night. While that could keep the door open for Porter to see at least 40 minutes of work, he has only averaged 10.5 points in four playoff meetings against Los Angeles.Source: NBA Injury Report
Denver Nuggets forward Russell Westbrook Questionable For Tuesday Night
Russell Westbrook (foot) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Clippers. The 36-year-old was limited to only eight minutes in Game 3 because of foot inflammation, an injury that caused him to miss Game 4 on Saturday. However, Westbrook's absence didn't allow anyone else to see more action, with Peyton Watson the only player to see over 10 minutes from off the bench. Instead, all five starters logged at least 42 minutes. If Westbrook remains out, the starting lineup should continue to get all the work they can handle, assuming Michael Porter Jr. (shoulder), who is probable, gets the green light to suit up.Source: NBA Injury Report
Denver Nuggets guard Jaylen Brown Back On The Injury Report
Jaylen Brown (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's meeting with Orlando. The knee issue dates back to the regular season. But, despite the ailment, he's averaged 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals throughout the series against the Magic. There's always a chance Brown could suffer a setback, which would keep him off the floor for Game 5. If that's the case, Sam Hauser, who averaged 12.2 points and 44.7% shooting from deep in 19 starts during the regular season, would be the favorite to slide into the starting lineup.Source: NBA Injury Report
Boston Celtics forward Jrue Holiday Out Again On Tuesday Night
Jrue Holiday (hamstring) won't play on Tuesday versus Orlando. He was available for the first two games of the series with the Magic. Unfortunately, the veteran has missed the last two contests because of a hamstring strain. There was hope Holiday would be back by now. However, it appears Al Horford will be in line for another start, with the 38-year-old coming off a six-point, six-rebound, five-block showing in Game 4.Source: NBA Injury Report
Boston Celtics guard Bennedict Mathurin Questionable For Game 5
Bennedict Mathurin (abdomen) is questionable for Tuesday's postseason showdown with the Bucks. The 22-year-old averaged 12 points in the first three games of the series against Milwaukee. However, he suffered an abdominal contusion and wasn't available for Game 4 on Sunday. Although Mathurin hasn't been a reliable fantasy option for DFS managers, his absence should at least open the door for Jarace Walker to see more work, with the 2023 No. 8 overall pick coming off a 12-point, five-rebound effort.Source: NBA Injury Report
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Damian Lillard May Not Play Next Season
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) suffered a torn left Achilles during Sunday's Game 4 loss to the Pacers. An MRI confirmed the diagnosis, with the multi-time All-Star set to undergo surgery. He will missread more...
Darius Garland Remains Out On Monday
Darius Garland (toe) won't play on Monday versus Miami. He wasn't available for Saturday's win over the Heat because of a great toe sprain, an injury that bothered him toward the end of the regular season. Sam Merrill got the start in Game 3, although he went scoreless in 19 minutes. Instead, it was De'Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome who shined without Garland, with the duo combining for 34 points, 14 assists, and three steals. DFS managers should continue to see increased involvement from the pair. The same can be said for Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Donovan Mitchell.Source: Danny Cunningham
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylen Brown Available For Game 4
Jaylen Brown (knee) will play on Sunday versus Orlando. The right knee impingement isn't expected to go away anytime soon, so DFS managers will likely see him on the injury report for the rest of the postseason. But unless Brown suffers a setback along the way, he'll likely continue to see north of 30 minutes per contest. However, his presence should mean Sam Hauser, who would have been in line to start, will likely remain on the bench, lowering his fantasy ceiling.Source: Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics forward Darius Garland Questionable For Game 4
Darius Garland (toe) is questionable for Monday's encounter with the Miami Heat. He didn't suit up for Game 3 on Saturday because of a left great toe sprain, an Injury he battled toward the end of the regular season. As a result, Sam Merrill entered the starting lineup. However, Merrill went scoreless, with De'Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome combining for 34 points, 14 assists, and three steals. Jarrett Allen also returned to form, ending with a team-high 22 points, his highest of the postseason. If Garland remains sidelined, Hunter, Jerome, Allen, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus should all receive more scoring chances. Donovan Mitchell, coming off a 13-point effort, should turn things around.Source: NBA Injury Report
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaden Ivey Making Progress
Jaden Ivey (calf) is still recovering from the broken left Fibula he sustained during the January 1 win over the Orlando Magic. Fortunately, Ivey is moving in the right direction, with the team reporting that his current activities include "a progression of basketball shooting and skill work," which have been accompanied by "continued re-conditioning and strength work." He had a down year in 2023-24. Yet, with J.B. Bickerstaff at the Helm, Ivey averaged a career-high 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 40.9% shooting from downtown during the regular season. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Still, the Pistons are one game away from being bounced from the postseason by the Knicks, meaning Ivey likely won't be back in the lineup until the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks along the way.Source: Pistons PR
Detroit Pistons guard Jimmy Butler III Ruled Out On Saturday
Moses Moody, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Brandin Podziemski should all benefit on the scoring end. Jonathan Kuminga, who had 11 points in Game 2, might also remain in the rotation, potentially even entering the starting lineup.Source: Anthony Slater
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (pelvis) won't play on Saturday against the Rockets. He had 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals in Game 1. However, the veteran was injured in Game 2, limiting him to only seven minutes of action. Without Butler,