RADIO
Karl-Anthony Towns Making an Impact as Playmaker in Playoffs
New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns has taken his game to a new level as a playmaker in the 2026 NBA playoffs. Through the first two rounds of action, Towns is averaging 6.6 assists per game -- more than double his regular-season average of 3.0. During the regular season, he finished with double-digit assists just once but has done so three times already in 10 playoff games. The Knicks have a perfect 7-0 record in the playoffs when Towns dishes out at least five assists. His efforts as a playmaker have helped the Knicks build a seven-game winning streak heading into the Eastern Conference Finals, where Towns is expected to maintain a key role.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jalen Duren Determined to Improve
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren has struggled during the 2026 NBA Playoffs but remains eager to improve. "Absolutely, I feel like I could be better in all aspects of the game," Duren told reporters after Wednesday's Game 5 loss to Cleveland. "Continue to grind and continue to grow." In Wednesday's overtime loss, Duren didn't see any action after the third quarter, finishing with nine points, five rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 25 minutes. After earning his first All-Star selection in the regular season, Duren's production has dipped to 10.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game during the playoffs. With the Pistons facing elimination on Friday night, they need Duren to break out of his slump more than ever. If he doesn't start strong, we might see a lot of Paul Reed again after his impressive 10-point, eight-rebound outing on Wednesday.
Source: Hunter Patterson
Source: Hunter Patterson
Kevin Huerter Tagged as Questionable for Game 6 Against Cavaliers
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Kevin Huerter (adductor) is questionable for Friday's elimination game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 27-year-old has dealt with an adductor injury throughout the postseason and might land back on the shelf after making his comeback in Game 5 on Wednesday night. In a 117-113 overtime loss, Huerter saw just three minutes of action, contributing one assist. Duncan Robinson (back) and Caris LeVert (heel) are also questionable for Friday's action. If they can't play, Huerter could have a bigger role in the rotation, but he hasn't been a good DFS option in the playoffs.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Caris LeVert Considered Questionable for Friday
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Caris LeVert (heel) is listed as questionable for Friday's Game 6 tilt against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is bothered by a right heel contusion, though LeVert played through it in Game 5 on Wednesday, logging 24 minutes. Recently, LeVert has played an important role off the bench for Detroit and was the team's leading scorer with 24 points in Game 4 against Cleveland. If LeVert can't play on Friday night, more minutes could be available to Marcus Sasser and Kevin Huerter (adductor) off the bench, but they aren't expected to make a significant fantasy impact.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Duncan Robinson Iffy for Game 6
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Duncan Robinson (back) is questionable for Game 6 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. He missed Game 5 due to lower back soreness, marking his first absence of the postseason. Before Wednesday's contest, Robinson was also listed as questionable. With Robinson out, Daniss Jenkins moved into the starting lineup, tallying 19 points, two rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal. While Jenkins can also make a significant impact as a member of the second unit, his fantasy ceiling is higher as a starter.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Paul Reed Makes Big Impact Off the Bench Wednesday
Detroit Pistons forward/center Paul Reed was the team's most productive performer from the second unit in Wednesday's 117-113 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, tallying 10 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in 17 minutes. Reed didn't play a single minute before entering the action at the start of the fourth quarter, and his performance was so impactful that Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff kept Reed on the floor for the rest of the game. As a result, starting center Jalen Duren was limited to just 25 minutes, contributing nine points, five rebounds, and four assists. After being added to the rotation in Game 3, Reed has put up 12.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game. His workload has steadily increased, and it will be interesting to see how Bickerstaff manages the frontcourt rotation in Friday's elimination game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Daniss Jenkins Contributes 19 Points As Starter
Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins finished as the team's second-highest scorer in Wednesday's clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers, notching 19 points with an 8-for-17 effort from the field in a 117-113 overtime loss. The 24-year-old moved into the starting unit after Duncan Robinson (back) was ruled out for the contest. Jenkins, who finished 2-for-8 with the three-ball, had a quiet start but ultimately put together a strong performance, capping off his line with two rebounds, three assists, one steal, and two blocks. Before Wednesday night, Jenkins had scored just two points in back-to-back games, so he'll enter Friday's Game 6 with renewed confidence, regardless of his role.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cade Cunningham Tallies 39 Points in Losing Effort
Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham went for 39 points in Wednesday's Game 5 tilt against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but couldn't save his team from a 117-113 overtime loss. He fell one assist short of a double-double and also collected seven rebounds and two steals. Cunningham was a fantastic 6-for-10 with his three-point attempts and had a 13-for-27 overall record from the field. It was Cunningham's fifth postseason game of the year with 30-plus points, tying Isiah Thomas for the most in franchise history during a single playoff campaign. Facing elimination in Game 6 on Friday, the Pistons need another big performance from Cunningham.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Max Strus Notches 20 Points With Six Triples
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus sparked into life with a 20-point effort in Wednesday's 117-113 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons, finishing 6-for-8 from outside. Strus didn't have a single two-point attempt, adding two points to his tally at the free-throw line. He was Cleveland's third-highest scorer and among the best rebounders. Strus grabbed eight boards and made his presence felt on the defensive end with one steal and one block. Across the previous three games, Strus had managed only 15 points. His offensive production is a bonus for the Cavaliers, who will look to wrap up the second-round series at home on Friday night.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Evan Mobley Close to Triple-Double Wednesday
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley was close to his first career triple-double in Wednesday's 117-113 Game 5 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons, racking up 19 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and three blocks. He enjoyed his best scoring performance of the series with a 6-for-13 record from the field, making two triples with three attempts. Mobley hit a couple of clutch free throws late in regulation and finished 5-for-6 at the line. With Jalen Duren struggling, the Pistons' frontcourt has a tough time against Mobley, who has posted averages of 14.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.0 blocks, and 1.4 steals in the matchup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jarrett Allen Records Double-Double in Game 5 Win
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen recorded his second double-double of the 2026 postseason on Wednesday night, helping his team to a 117-113 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons. Allen has been inconsistent throughout the series, but made a positive impact in Game 5. He finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks. The 28-year-old big man had a 6-for-10 record from the field and made four of his five free-throw attempts. Allen has struggled to string together two strong performances in the playoffs, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him fall off the map in Friday's Game 6. He has averaged 13.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game against Detroit.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
James Harden Leads the Way for Cavaliers in Game 5 Victory
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden led his team to a 117-113 overtime victory in Game 5 against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. He scored a team-high 30 points with an 8-for-21 effort from the field, adding eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, and three blocks. Harden was 3-for-10 from downtown and 11-for-14 at the charity stripe. The former MVP struggled with efficiency and committed six turnovers, but he made a big mark in the contest. It was only his third 30-point game as a Cavalier. Cleveland has come back from a 2-0 series deficit and can advance to the Conference Finals on Friday night. Harden is averaging 21.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.4 steals in the series.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kevin Huerter is Cleared to Return for Game 5
Detroit Pistons guard Kevin Huerter (adductor) is available to play ahead of Wednesday's Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Huerter is back in the mix for the first time since Game 4 of the first-round series against the Orlando Magic. His return to the rotation comes at a good time with Duncan Robinson (back) ruled out for this game. The absence of Robinson could mean that Huerter is given significant playing time right away. Daniss Jenkins will draw the start in place of Robinson, with Caris LeVert playing a significant role off the bench. Huerter might have the lowest floor of all three guards, but still could be a solid source of three-pointers without Robinson on the court.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Caris LeVert is Available for Game 5 on Wednesday
Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert (heel) is available to play ahead of Wednesday's Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is good news for the Pistons, with Duncan Robinson (back) ruled out for this game. LeVert figures to be asked to take on a larger role offensively with Robinson sitting out on Wednesday. LeVert finished with 24 points during Monday's Game 4 loss. The veteran guard should be a fairly safe DFS option without Robinson on the floor. Daniss Jenkins will move into the starting five, but LeVert is expected to still play a significant role off the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Duncan Robinson is Out for Game 5
Detroit Pistons guard Duncan Robinson (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is a tough blow to the Pistons. He was questionable coming into this game, but will ultimately sit out due to lower back soreness. His absence should mean larger roles for Daniss Jenkins, Caris LeVert, and Kevin Huerter on Wednesday. Among the trio, LeVert is probably the best DFS option after dropping 24 minutes during Monday's Game 4 defeat. Jenkins will draw the start in place of Robinson, so he could also be an interesting option for Wednesday's slate.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
