Nikola Jovic Available Friday
Nikola Jovic (hand) will be available for Friday's play-in contest against the Atlanta Hawks. The team has upgraded him from probable to available. Jovic has missed nearly two months due to a fractured hand, but the Heat will finally have him back in the lineup for Friday's do-or-die matchup. However, it's unclear if Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra plans to use Jovic in Friday's game. The 21-year-old was effective during the regular season, averaging a career-high 10.7 points with 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists.Source: NBA Injury Report
Miami Heat forward Trae Young Officially Active On Friday
Trae Young (Achilles) has been cleared to play in Friday's play-in contest against the Miami Heat. His status has been upgraded once again from probable to available. The Hawks will need a strong performance from their leader on Friday to qualify for the playoffs. During the regular season, Young struggled to score against the Heat, shooting only 35 percent from the field. Nevertheless, he still averaged a double-double in the matchup, with 17.0 points and 12.3 assists per game.Source: NBA Injury Report
Atlanta Hawks point guard Giannis Antetokounmpo Not On Game 1 Injury Report
Giannis Antetokounmpo (shoulder) has been removed from the injury report before Saturday's playoff opener against the Indiana Pacers. The two-time MVP has battled several health issues during the campaign and missed the regular-season finale due to a minor shoulder problem. Antetokounmpo has been dominant against the Pacers throughout the year, averaging 30.0 points, 12.3 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals in the matchup. On Saturday, he is expected to maintain increased offensive usage, as Damian Lillard (conditioning) remains out of the lineup.Source: NBA Injury Report
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Damian Lillard Officially Out For Game 1
Damian Lillard (conditioning) has been officially ruled out for Saturday's Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers. Lillard has been cleared of his deep-vein thrombosis and is now working to improve his conditioning to a level that would allow him to participate in an intense playoff contest. He last played on March 18. Speaking during his media availability on Friday, Lillard said, "The moment that I feel I can go, I'm going to go." On Saturday, the Bucks backcourt will continue to rely more on Ryan Rollins (shoulder) and Kevin Porter Jr. (wrist), who are both available after sitting out the regular-season finale.Source: NBA Injury Report
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Pelle Larsson Upgraded To Probable Against Hawks
Pelle Larsson (ankle) has been upgraded from questionable to probable for Friday's play-in matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. The rookie has been out since April 7 with a sprained ankle but started in six consecutive games before going down with the injury. Head coach Erik Spoelstra said that he expects Larsson to be able to suit up, so it seems he could receive some minutes. It's unclear whether or not he'll move back into the starting lineup, though. Across 55 appearances this season, Larsson averaged 4.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. If he does see some playing time, he'll likely take some minutes from Alec Burks and Davion Mitchell.Source: NBA Injury Report
Miami Heat guard Kevin Love Away From The Team For Personal Reasons
Kevin Love (personal) was originally listed as questionable for Friday night's play-in game against the Atlanta Hawks, but it looks like he'll be downgraded to out. According to NBA Insider Ira Winderman, the veteran big man has left the team for ongoing family reasons. There haven't been reports that suggest what exactly is going on, but the team will move forward without him in the meantime. That likely means that Kel'el Ware, Kyle Anderson, and Haywood Highsmith will continue to get minutes in the frontcourt. Ware has taken over the starting spot and registered six points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal in their win over the Chicago Bulls.Source: Ira Winderman
Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic Unlikely To Play Even If He's Available On Friday
Nikola Jovic (hand) is dealing with a broken hand and is considered questionable for Friday's play-in game against the Atlanta Hawks. According to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, head coach Erik Spoelstra said that he expects both Jovic and Pelle Larsson (ankle) to play. Still, it seems unlikely that Jovic will be used even if he is upgraded. The third-year forward hasn't played since February 23, and hasn't played more than 46 games in a season yet. This year, he averaged a career-high in minutes per game (25.1) and posted 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 threes per game. Kyle Anderson and Haywood Highsmith will likely continue to receive some more minutes off of the bench in his place.Source: Anthony Chiang
Miami Heat forward Donovan Mitchell Logs Full Practice On Thursday
Donovan Mitchell (ankle) practiced fully on Thursday, indicating that he will be 100 percent ready when the team begins its playoff campaign on Sunday. The six-time All-Star sat out the final four regular-season games due to an ankle injury. Mitchell has proven himself as a highly productive playoff performer and will be expected to make a deep run with his team after the Cavaliers dominated the regular season. For his postseason career, Mitchell has averaged 28.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 37.6 minutes.Source: Camryn Justice
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damian Lillard Cleared Of Deep-Vein Thrombosis
Damian Lillard (calf) has been cleared of deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication. This marks a significant step in his return to the lineup. Although Lillard is expected to be out for Saturday's Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers, his comeback appears to be around the corner. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said on Thursday that there is a "very good chance" Lillard will play in the postseason. The nine-time All-Star averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals during the regular season.Source: ESPN
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Pelle Larsson Iffy For Friday
Pelle Larsson (ankle) is considered questionable for Friday's play-in action against the Atlanta Hawks. Larsson was also uncertain for Wednesday's matchup against the Chicago Bulls but was upgraded to available ahead of tip-off. However, he did not receive any playing time off the Miami bench. The Swedish rookie has been nursing an ankle sprain recently, which sidelined him for three games at the end of the regular season. With the Heat squad now relatively healthy, it seems unlikely that Larsson will play a significant role during the postseason.Source: NBA Injury Report
Miami Heat guard/forward Kevin Love Considered Questionable For Friday
Kevin Love (conditioning) remains questionable on the injury report ahead of Friday's clash against the Atlanta Hawks. Love missed the end of the regular season due to personal reasons and is currently focused on regaining the conditioning necessary to return to play. During the postseason, Love's experience could be a valuable asset for the Heat; however, his productivity has been relatively low this campaign. Love averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds during the regular season, appearing in only 23 games.Source: NBA Injury Report
Miami Heat forward/center Nikola Jovic Questionable For Friday
Nikola Jovic (hand) has been listed as questionable for Friday's play-in game against the Atlanta Hawks. The 21-year-old is making progress toward his return to the lineup, but he may miss another game on Friday due to a fractured hand. Jovic's inclusion in the lineup would provide an additional frontcourt option for the Heat, who have been without the England-born Serbian since late February. During the regular season, Jovic averaged 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 25.1 minutes, primarily coming off the bench.Source: NBA Injury Report
Miami Heat forward Brandon Williams Likely To Play Friday
Brandon Williams (oblique) is listed as probable for Friday's play-in matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. The 25-year-old is dealing with a left oblique strain but managed to play through the injury on Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings. Williams impressed with 17 points and five assists in 18 minutes off the bench. Before Wednesday's game, Williams was listed as questionable on the injury report, so he appears to be making progress in his recovery. Williams will be in a good spot to replicate his Wednesday performance since Memphis allows the fourth-most bench points in the league.Source: NBA Injury Report
Dallas Mavericks point guard Clint Capela Still Out On Friday
Clint Capela (hand) will remain sidelined for Friday's play-in finale against the Miami Heat. The veteran big man has been out since March 10 with a left hand injury, and it remains uncertain when Capela can return to the lineup. Atlanta will continue to lean on Onyeka Okongwu in the middle. In the matchup against the Heat this season, Okongwu has averaged 15.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game.Source: NBA Injury Report
Atlanta Hawks center Trae Young Probable For Friday
Trae Young (Achilles) is listed as probable for Friday's play-in game against the Miami Heat. He will likely be upgraded to available ahead of tip-off once again, as has happened throughout the campaign. Young is coming off a 28-point effort in Tuesday's loss to the Orlando Magic, during which he was ejected for receiving two technical fouls. He needs to maintain his composure better on Friday night and score more efficiently. On Tuesday, Young was the top scorer in the game but shot only 8-for-21 from the field and 1-for-5 from deep.Source: NBA Injury Report
Atlanta Hawks point guard