RADIO
Jalen Williams Ruled Out for Game 3 Against Lakers
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) will remain in street clothes on Saturday in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Since he is considered week-to-week, there's a strong possibility Williams will miss the entire series. He has been sidelined for four games due to a left hamstring strain. Williams' injury hasn't really affected the defending champions, who have continued to breeze through games. Ajay Mitchell has left a big impression as Williams' replacement in the starting unit, averaging 18.8 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds over the last four games. Guys like Cason Wallace and Jared McCain have also seen their roles expand.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ayo Dosunmu Cleared to Play Friday
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (heel) will be in the lineup on Friday night in Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs. He is ready to play through right heel pain, with the team upgrading Dosunmu's status from questionable to available. Dosunmu had a superb start to the postseason but has lost momentum since running into health issues. Injuries to Dosunmu and Anthony Edwards (knee) have led to Terrence Shannon Jr. taking on a bigger workload. He has played well and might still hold a significant role even with both Edwards and Dosunmu available on Friday night.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Anthony Edwards Available Friday Night
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) has been officially cleared for Friday's Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs. He was listed as questionable on the initial injury report. Edwards has dealt with injuries to both his knees late in the season. He hurt his left knee during the playoffs and has been limited to 24.5 minutes per game since rejoining the lineup. As a result, Edwards has averaged only 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over the first two games of the second-round series, coming off the bench both times.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joel Embiid is Returning for Game 3 on Friday
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (ankle, hip) has been upgraded to available ahead of Friday's Game 3 against the New York Knicks. Embiid is back in action after missing Game 2 due to right ankle and hip injuries. He should take on his normal role in the rotation with the Sixers fighting to get out of a 0-2 hole. Dominick Barlow, Andre Drummond, and Adem Bone will all take a backseat with Embiid returning to the rotation. Tyrese Maxey and Embiid figure to be the focal point on offense as the Sixers attempt to crawl back into this series.
Source: Ian Begley
Source: Ian Begley
Brandon Ingram Undergoes Heel Surgery
Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (heel) underwent a procedure to remove a bone spur from his right heel on Friday. This was an issue that bothered Ingram during the regular season. He also exited Game 5 of the first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to heel pain. He was unable to suit up for Games 6 and 7 because of the injury. This surgery should resolve the problem, and Ingram is expected to be ready to roll for training camp. This season, Ingram averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 33.8 minutes per game across 77 contests.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Josh Hart is Available to Play in Game 3
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart (thumb) is available to play ahead of Game 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Hart suffered a sprained left thumb during the second half of Wednesday's Game 2 victory. It's not significant enough to hold him out of this game, so he should fulfill his normal role in the starting five. Hart should be asked to take on a larger role with OG Anunoby (hamstring) ruled out for this game. He hasn't been a great offensive contributor, but the Knicks will need him to step it up a little more on Friday. The absence of Anunoby should give Hart an uptick in fantasy value.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
OG Anunoby is Downgraded to Out for Game 3 on Friday
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's Game 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers. He was questionable coming into this game due to a strained right hamstring that he suffered during Game 2. The Knicks are going to play it safe and hold him out for at least one game. His absence from the rotation will likely mean larger roles for Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson. Between the two, Robinson is probably the better DFS option, assuming Joel Embiid (ankle, hip) is unable to play. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will be asked to take on a larger workload offensively with Anunoby unavailable.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Mitchell Robinson is Returning for Game 3
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (illness) has been upgraded to available ahead of Friday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Robinson is back in the mix after missing Wednesday's Game 2 victory due to an illness. His return will likely mean that Ariel Hukporti will fall out of the rotation. Robinson could be asked to play a bigger role than normal with OG Anunoby (hamstring) ruled out for this game. The big man is an elite rebounder, but doesn't offer a ton of upside outside of that. Karl-Anthony Towns should continue to play a majority of the minutes at the center spot.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Austin Reaves Scores 31 Points in Game 2 Defeat
Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Austin Reaves finished with 31 points, two rebounds, and six assists in 38 minutes during Thursday's Game 2 loss to Oklahoma City. He bounced back from an eight-point Game 1 dud, shooting 10-for-16 from the field while adding three three-pointers and eight free throws. The scoring and playmaking keep him firmly in DFS consideration, but the five turnovers add some risk. With Luka Doncic (hamstring) unlikely to return this round, Reaves and LeBron James will need to carry the offense, while Rui Hachimura remains a useful floor-spacing option.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Chet Holmgren Anchors Thunder Past Lakers in Game 2
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren delivered 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, four steals, and two blocks in 33 minutes during Thursday's 125-107 Game 2 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The former second-overall pick tied Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the team lead in scoring on 7-for-11 shooting, including 3-for-5 from three and 5-for-7 at the line. Holmgren stepped up after Gilgeous-Alexander exited early in the third, helping Oklahoma City flip a one-point halftime deficit into a 93-80 cushion heading to the fourth. Head coach Mark Daigneault called him "unbelievable" postgame, and Austin Reaves' playoff career-high 31 points wasn't enough for the Lakers. The Thunder lead the series 2-0 ahead of Saturday's Game 3 in Los Angeles.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Tobias Harris Stays Hot in Game 2 Victory
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris recorded 21 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in 37 minutes during Thursday's 107-97 Game 2 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 33-year-old shot 9-for-16 from the field, including 2-for-3 from three and 1-for-2 at the line, finishing as Detroit's second-leading scorer behind Cade Cunningham. Cunningham led all scorers with 25 points and 10 assists, including 12 in the fourth quarter to put the game away, while Duncan Robinson added 17 points on 5-for-9 from deep. The top-seeded Pistons have now won five straight games and lead the second-round series 2-0, with Game 3 set for Saturday in Cleveland.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Cade Cunningham Pushes Pistons to 2-0 Series Lead
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham had 25 points, three rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and two blocks in Thursday's 107-97 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The former No. 1 overall pick shot 7-for-14 from the field, 3-for-6 from three-point range, and 8-for-8 at the free-throw line across 42 minutes. Cunningham did his best work late, scoring 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as Detroit took a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Tobias Harris added 21 points, while Duncan Robinson made five threes. Cunningham will look to keep control of the series when Game 3 shifts to Cleveland on Saturday.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jarrett Allen Provides Bright Spot in Cavs' Game 2 Loss to Pistons
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen recorded 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 31 minutes during Thursday's 107-97 Game 2 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The 28-year-old bounced back from a quiet Game 1, shooting 7-for-9 from the field and 8-for-10 at the foul line for one of his most efficient outings of this postseason. Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 31 points, and the Cavs briefly took a fourth-quarter lead before the offense went cold from deep. James Harden again struggled, finishing with 10 points on 3-for-13 shooting and four turnovers, while the Cavs went 0-for-11 from three in the final frame. Cleveland heads home down 0-2 with Game 3 set for Saturday.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
James Harden Struggles in Game 2 Loss
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden finished with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 37 minutes during Thursday's Game 2 loss to Detroit. He shot just 3-for-13 from the field, missed all four three-point attempts, and committed four turnovers as Cleveland fell into a 2-0 series hole. Harden's low assist total also hurt his DFS value, especially with his scoring efficiency slipping. Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen carried more of the offense, but Cleveland needs Harden to rediscover his rhythm in Game 3.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Donovan Mitchell Finishes Game 2 Loss with 31 Points
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell recorded 31 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals across 37 minutes in Thursday's 107-97 Game 2 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The All-Star led all scorers and fueled a second-half rally that briefly gave Cleveland the lead in the fourth quarter, finishing 11-for-24 from the field, 2-for-9 from three, and 7-for-9 at the line. Yet his outside shot deserted him late, with three of his three-point misses coming in the fourth as the Cavs went 0-for-11 from deep in the final frame. Jarrett Allen added 22 points and seven rebounds, but James Harden managed just 10 points on 3-for-13 shooting with four turnovers. The Cavs return home down 0-2 for Game 3 on Saturday.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
