April 29, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jimmy Butler III netted a team-high 27 points on 7-for-12 shooting in Monday's 109-106 win over the Houston Rockets. After returning to the lineup from a pelvic contusion, Butler needed some time to get going, scoring only four points in the first quarter. But he turned out to be a key figure in the contest, finishing 12-for-12 from the free-throw line and picking up five rebounds, six assists, and one block with zero turnovers in 40 minutes. With Playoff Jimmy in top form, the Warriors are well-placed to end the series in five games on Wednesday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 29, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen was highly efficient against the Miami Heat on Monday, finishing a 138-83 win with 14 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and six steals. He went 5-for-5 from the field and made all four of his free throws, achieving a game-high plus-42 over 25 minutes of play. Cleveland made quick work of the Heat in the first round, with Allen performing as a walking double-double. He recorded three double-doubles in four games, averaging 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds. It promises to be more challenging for Allen going forward, but he appears to be in outstanding form for the playoffs.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 29, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward
Brandon Boston Jr. underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle last week, as announced by the team. His recovery timetable is approximately 3-4 months. With many Pelicans struggling to remain healthy, Boston Jr. earned an expanded role this season and demonstrated good upside. He averaged 10.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals in 23.6 minutes. However, the 23-year-old made only one appearance after February, as the ankle injury derailed his second half of the season. He should be fully healed for the start of the 2025-26 campaign and may continue to have a regular role in the rotation after the Pelicans converted his two-way deal into a standard two-year contract in the middle of the season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
April 29, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
April 29, 2025
Indiana Pacers forward
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.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 28, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 28, 2025
Detroit Pistons forward/center
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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 28, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 28, 2025
Denver Nuggets guard
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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 28, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 28, 2025
Boston Celtics guard
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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April 28, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
April
28,
2025
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
miss
read more...
April 28, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Danny Cunningham
April 27, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Boston Celtics
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