April 15, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard
Jalen Green bagged 35 points in 39 minutes during Tuesday's 114-110 Play-In Tournament loss against the Portland Trail Blazers. However, he went quiet late in the game as Phoenix blew a 100-89 lead inside the final six minutes of play. Green had a couple of costly turnovers down the stretch and finished with five turnovers overall. His line also included five rebounds, two assists, and one block. While he managed only two makes on seven attempts from beyond the arc, Green's scoring was efficient overall at 14-for-29 from the field. Tuesday's loss is a setback for the Suns, but they can still make the postseason if they beat the winner of Wednesday's Clippers-Warriors matchup.
Devin Booker must be sharper on Friday night after settling for 22 points on a 7-for-17 effort against Portland.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
April 15, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers guard
Jrue Holiday tallied 21 points with a 7-for-18 effort from the field during Tuesday's 114-110 Play-In Tournament victory over the Phoenix Suns. Holiday scored five consecutive points to spark a Portland comeback from a 100-89 deficit midway through the fourth quarter. The veteran finished 4-for-11 from downtown and completed his line with four rebounds and four assists across 38 minutes. Holiday has a lot of postseason pedigree and will be expected to be one of the leaders during the playoffs on a team that will have many postseason debutants. The two-time NBA champion has averaged 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 97 career playoff appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
April 15, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Deni Avdija was sensational on Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns as the team secured a playoff spot with a 114-110 win in the Play-In Tournament. He produced a double-double with 41 points and 12 assists, becoming the fifth player to score 40-plus points in a play-in game. Avdija, who finished 15-for-22 from the floor, made several key buckets late in the game. He also tallied seven rebounds and two blocks in 38 minutes. After overcoming a back issue, Avdija has returned to top form in recent weeks, and the Israeli star should thrive in the playoffs as he makes his postseason debut. The Trail Blazers are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021, where they face
Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
April 15, 2026
Charlotte Hornets forward
Miles Bridges had one of his best performances of the season in Tuesday's play-in game against the Miami Heat, contributing 28 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three blocks in a 127-126 overtime win. Bridges' last block of the night came at the buzzer in overtime when
Davion Mitchell attempted to win the game for Miami. Early in the contest, Bridges stood out on the offensive end, scoring 10 first-quarter points. He went 10-for-18 from the floor and 5-for-10 from outside during the game. Bridges has averaged fewer than 30 minutes per game since February, but he led the Hornets with 43 minutes on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old will look to make a similar impact in Friday's play-in game, where Charlotte meets the loser of Wednesday's matchup between Orlando and Philadelphia.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
April 15, 2026
Charlotte Hornets point guard
LaMelo Ball played a key role in Tuesday's 127-126 overtime victory in the Play-In Tournament against the Miami Heat. He capped off the big performance with a game-winning layup 4.7 seconds from the end of overtime. Ball ended the contest with 30 points, five rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and one block. He became the fourth player with at least 30 points and 10 assists in a play-in game. However, Ball's scoring was inefficient during the night due to his poor 2-for-16 effort from three-point land. He finished 12-for-31 overall from the field. The Hornets star has now finished three consecutive outings with below 40 percent efficiency from the field. Still, he's done a good job leading his team into Friday's final play-in game and will certainly be heavily involved in the action again on Friday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
April 15, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers center
Isaiah Jackson (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's play-in contest against the Golden State Warriors. The former Pacer hurt his right ankle in late March and sat out the final eight regular-season games. According to Law Murray of The Athletic, Jackson was a full participant in Tuesday's practice. This indicates that the big man is ready to return to action on Wednesday night. However, he hasn't yet received official clearance. If Jackson remains out, the Clippers will continue to rely on
Brook Lopez and
John Collins at the center position.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant (calf) will make his return to action on Tuesday against Phoenix as a member of the second unit. Grant has started regularly for Portland since February. But he has missed seven games due to a calf injury, and by having him come off the bench, the team can better manage his workload. Even as a reserve, Grant has been productive in 2025-26, averaging 16.3 points in 25.7 minutes per game.
Scoot Henderson will maintain a starting role on Tuesday night, with
Deni Avdija,
Jrue Holiday,
Toumani Camara, and
Donovan Clingan rounding out the first unit,
--Taavi PailkSource: Portland Trail Blazers
April 14, 2026
Golden State Warriors center
Quinten Post (foot) will remain out on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers. The seven-footer missed the last couple of weeks of the regular season due to foot injury management and isn't ready to rejoin the action for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game. Post's absence has given
Charles Bassey a spot in the frontcourt rotation, but the team will likely lean on its veterans in Wednesday's game.
Kristaps Porzingis,
Al Horford, and
Draymond Green are all available for the matchup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Draymond Green (back) will be active on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. He has been removed from the injury report after sitting out Sunday's regular-season finale against the Clippers due to lower back injury management. Green always does a little bit of everything for the Warriors and is set to play an important role in Wednesday's high-stakes contest. The veteran has recorded averages of 5.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in the matchup with the Clippers this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Miami Heat forward/center
Bam Adebayo (back) won't return on Tuesday against the Charlotte Hornets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports. The big man injured his lower back during a fall in the second quarter and will be limited to just 11 minutes in this crucial play-in game. With Adebayo out,
Kel'el Ware will hold down the fort at center and could finish with a monster line, having already recorded a double-double in three quarters while adding five blocks.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Chiang
April 14, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is not on the injury report for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Golden State Warriors. As expected, he will return from a one-game absence. Leonard was excellent during the regular season and will be expected to pick up where he left off in the postseason. In 65 outings, Leonard posted a career-high 27.9 points per game, adding 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals. However, Leonard didn't produce his usual numbers against the Warriors, averaging 21.7 points with a horrible 22.2 percent three-point efficiency.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard/forward
Grayson Allen (hamstring) will miss Tuesday's play-in game against the Portland Trail Blazers. After managing a knee injury throughout the campaign, Allen sustained a hamstring injury during the final week of regular-season action. He won't be in the Suns' lineup for the third time in four games.
Royce O'Neale,
Jordan Goodwin, and
Collin Gillespie could all get extra work with Allen out of commission.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Miami Heat forward/center
Bam Adebayo (back) is questionable to return to Tuesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Charlotte Hornets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports. The three-time All-Star exited the action in the second quarter after taking a hard fall. Adebayo had six points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 11 minutes before his early departure, sinking all three field-goal attempts.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. started the second half in Adebayo's place.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Chiang
April 14, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant (calf) will suit up on Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns. He has shaken off a questionable tag, returning to action after missing seven games due to a right calf strain. Given his lengthy absence, Grant might carry a minutes restriction on Tuesday. Still, he's a welcome addition to the Trail Blazers lineup. The veteran averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 29.7 minutes per game during the regular season. Grant's return is likely to bump
Scoot Henderson to the second unit, but the explosive guard should still feature heavily in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers center
Jaxson Hayes (foot) intends to play in Game 1 against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation reports. The big man missed the final four regular-season games due to a foot injury, but he was back at practice on Tuesday. "Feeling a lot better," Hayes told reporters. "It was nice getting a few days off, especially with my job, I jump a lot and run a lot. So it's hard for me to rest something like that. So getting those days off was much-needed, very helpful." He added that he wasn't worried about missing the start of the postseason. Hayes has occasionally outperformed starting center
Deandre Ayton late in the season, and his role may grow during the playoffs. Across 66 regular-season outings, he averaged 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: Corey Hansford
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