RADIO
Jaylen Brown Leads All Scorers With 36 Points in Game 2
Boston Celtics guard/forward Jaylen Brown put up a game-high 36 points in Tuesday's 111-97 Game 2 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston had a chance to take a 2-0 series lead on home court, but everyone on the team except Brown struggled to score. The 2024 Finals MVP went 11-for-24 from the field, including 5-for-12 from three-point range. He took 12 of the Celtics' 18 free-throw attempts, making nine of them. Brown completed his line with seven rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Tuesday's loss was a setback for the Celtics, but they can still feel confident about advancing to Round 2, with Brown in top form. He has led his team in scoring in both of the first two games of the matchup, averaging 31.0 points.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
VJ Edgecombe Has Historic Outing in Game 2 Win
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe scored a team-high 30 points in Tuesday's 111-97 Game 2 victory over the Boston Celtics. The 20-year-old also notched 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record a playoff double-double with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. After finishing 0-for-5 from downtown in Game 1, Edgecombe made six of his 10 attempts from deep. He had a 12-for-20 record overall from the field. This was a hugely impressive performance from Edgecombe, particularly since he was hurt on a fall early in the game and went to the locker room twice.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins Clutch Player of the Year Award
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added another individual award to his growing collection on Tuesday, having been named the 2025-26 NBA Clutch Player of the Year. The reigning MVP led the league with 175 points in clutch times and helped his team to a 20-7 record in clutch games this season. In these games, the Thunder outscored the opposition by 93 points in clutch situations with Gilgeous-Alexander on the court. The NBA introduced the Clutch Player of the Year award in 2023, and past winners include De'Aaron Fox, Stephen Curry, and Jalen Brunson. Gilgeous-Alexander also hopes to win his second MVP trophy this year.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Austin Reaves Begins Return-to-Play Protocol
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (oblique) has begun a return-to-play protocol on the practice court, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports. Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided this update ahead of Tuesday's Game 2 against the Houston Rockets. Redick reiterated that there is no change to Reaves' initial return timeline. The Lakers ruled Reaves out for 4-6 weeks on April 4 due to a Grade 2 oblique strain. Earlier Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Reaves is on track to return late in the first-round series. He is reportedly further along in his rehab than Luka Doncic (hamstring). Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart have more responsibilities in the backcourt until Reaves and Doncic return.
Source: Jovan Buha
Source: Jovan Buha
Luka Doncic Not Expected to Play in First-Round Series
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) is not expected to play in the first-round series against the Houston Rockets, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Ahead of Tuesday's Game 2, Charania provided an update on both Doncic and Austin Reaves (oblique). "The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that's further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes," Charania said. "I am told Austin Reaves has started 1 on 1 on court work. The Lakers are not expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series. He is out indefinitely." With Doncic sidelined, LeBron James and Luke Kennard have taken on larger offensive roles. When he returns, Reaves is also expected to benefit from the situation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Kevin Durant Good to Go Tuesday
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (knee) will return to action on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The veteran star sat out the series opener due to a right knee contusion but has been cleared to make his comeback. As a result of Durant's return, Reed Sheppard will move to the second unit. Getting Durant back is a major boost for the Rockets, who will try to avoid a 2-0 series deficit. In three regular-season meetings, Durant's offensive contribution was limited to 20.3 points per game against the Lakers. However, he was highly efficient in his scoring, making 42.9 percent of his three-point attempts and 56.1 percent of his attempts overall.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Victor Wembanyama Lands in Concussion Protocol, Won't Return Tuesday
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama has entered concussion protocol and won't return to Tuesday's Game 2 against Portland, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The 2026 NBA Defensive Player of the Year took a hard fall in the first quarter, landing face-first on the court. Before his early exit, Wembanyama managed five points, four rebounds, one assist, and one block in 12 minutes. Luke Kornet is set for a heavier workload in the second half and could also play a more important role in future games if Wembanyama misses time.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jonathan Isaac Unlikely to Play in Game 2
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) is doubtful for Wednesday's Game 2 against Detroit as he continues working back from a left knee sprain. He has not played in over a month and remains limited in practice, making a return in this series unlikely. Isaac's absence does not significantly alter Orlando's rotation, with Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. continuing to handle frontcourt minutes. Jamal Cain could stay in the mix for depth minutes, though his role remains small. Fantasy impact is negligible, with no clear shift in usage across the core group.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Mark Williams Could Sit Again in Game 2
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (foot) is questionable for Wednesday's Game 2 against Oklahoma City after missing Game 1 due to a sore left foot. His absence left Phoenix thin inside, with Oso Ighodaro starting and recording nine rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes, while Khaman Maluach added three rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench. Ighodaro would likely start again if Williams sits and should help on the glass, though his production outside of that is limited. Devin Booker and Jalen Green should continue to lead the offense, while the center spot is mostly a low-usage, role-based position.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Grayson Allen Questionable for Game 2
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (hamstring) is questionable for Wednesday's Game 2 against Oklahoma City after being listed on the injury report in recent games but not seeing the floor. He was available for Game 1 but logged a DNP-CD, leaving his role unclear even if cleared. With Jordan Goodwin (calf) also questionable, Phoenix could lean on Royce O'Neale, who posted four points, one three-pointer, three rebounds, three assists, and one block in 23 minutes, while Ryan Dunn added five rebounds in 25 minutes. Both are candidates for larger roles and carry DFS appeal if Allen remains limited. Devin Booker and Jalen Green should continue to anchor usage.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jordan Goodwin Iffy for Game 2
Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (calf) is questionable for Wednesday's Game 2 against Oklahoma City after exiting early in Game 1 with left calf soreness. He logged just five minutes before leaving, opening the door for rotation shifts. Royce O'Neale played 23 minutes off the bench and finished with four points, one three-pointer, three rebounds, three assists, and one block, while Ryan Dunn added five rebounds in 25 minutes. O'Neale is a strong candidate to start, with Dunn and Haywood Highsmith in line for larger roles and DFS appeal if Goodwin sits. Devin Booker and Jalen Green should continue to handle primary usage.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Billy Donovan Exiting as Bulls Head Coach
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan is leaving the organization after six seasons, according to Shams Charania. Chicago finished 31-51 and missed the playoffs, signaling a likely reset across the roster and coaching staff. A new coach could shift roles and usage, putting players like Josh Giddey and Anfernee Simons in different spots offensively. Collin Sexton may benefit from more on-ball opportunities depending on the system, while Patrick Williams' role could also be reevaluated. Fantasy managers should monitor early rotation patterns closely once a replacement is in place.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Ron Harper Jr. Available for Game 2 Against 76ers
Boston Celtics forward Ron Harper Jr. (ankle) is available for Tuesday's Game 2 against Philadelphia after being listed probable. He saw just four minutes in Game 1, finishing with five points and one three-pointer in garbage time, and remains outside the playoff rotation. With Boston at full strength, Harper is unlikely to carve out meaningful minutes, limiting any fantasy relevance to the deepest formats. Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and Payton Pritchard should continue to absorb backcourt run, while Harper is essentially a depth option who would likely only see minutes if the game turns into a blowout.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
CJ McCollum Shines at MSG in Game 2
Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum put up a game-high 32 points as the team shocked the New York Knicks with a 107-106 victory at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. Facing a 2-0 deficit on the road, McCollum delivered one of the best postseason performances of his career, though it was nearly ruined by a pair of missed free throws with 5.6 seconds left on the clock. Those were his only misses with seven attempts at the line. McCollum finished 12-for-22 from the floor and had a 3-for-10 record from downtown. The 34-year-old also made a significant contribution on defense, snagging two steals and blocking one shot. He collected three rebounds and dished out six assists. The Knicks have struggled to guard McCollum in the series, as he is averaging 29.0 points on nearly 55 percent efficiency. His performance has been a big boost for the team, especially with Jalen Johnson's production being only modest so far.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Donovan Mitchell Extends 30-Point Streak
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 30 points in Monday's 115-105 Game 2 victory over the Toronto Raptors. In 37 minutes, he also contributed seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal. It was a highly efficient performance from Mitchell, as he nailed four of his 10 three-point attempts and finished 13-for-23 overall from the field. Combined with the regular season, Mitchell has now scored 30-plus points in four consecutive appearances. The seven-time All-Star has always stood out in the playoffs, averaging the sixth-most points all-time (28.4), and he appears set for another prolific postseason campaign. Across the first two games against Toronto, Mitchell has tallied 31.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals, hitting 57.1 percent from deep.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
