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Jordan McLaughlin Ruled Out for Game 2
San Antonio Spurs guard Jordan McLaughlin (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's tilt against the Portland Trail Blazers. He sat out the series opener due to a left ankle sprain and hasn't been cleared to return. McLaughlin hasn't played a significant role for the Spurs this season, so his absence isn't a big deal for the team. Across 44 regular-season appearances, McLaughlin averaged only 6.4 minutes per game. De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle will continue to lead the backcourt, with Dylan Harper providing support off the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ron Harper Jr. Probable for Game 2
Boston Celtics guard/forward Ron Harper Jr. (ankle) is on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's Game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers, carrying a probable designation. The 26-year-old has injured his right ankle, but he is expected to be in the lineup on Tuesday night. That said, Harper Jr. saw only four minutes of garbage time in Boston's dominant 123-91 Game 1 victory, and it wouldn't be surprising if he didn't hit the court on Tuesday night, even if he's active. Payton Pritchard, Nikola Vucevic, and Baylor Scheierman will remain the primary contributors off the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Austin Reaves to Remain Out Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (oblique) will miss a seventh consecutive game on Tuesday night against the Houston Rockets. He continues to rehab a left oblique strain, and it still isn't clear when Reaves can return. On Monday, he was spotted at practice, taking part in light activities, so there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for Reaves. The Lakers have started the postseason without two key performers, as Luka Doncic (hamstring) hasn't been able to contribute either. With the star guards sidelined, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart combined for 42 points in Saturday's Game 1 victory. Additionally, LeBron James made sure to balance scoring with playmaking, recording a 19-point, 13-assist double-double.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Luka Doncic Still Out Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) will remain sidelined on Tuesday against the Houston Rockets. The six-time All-Star remains out indefinitely with a left hamstring strain. However, he took part in light activities during Monday's practice, a sign that Doncic is progressing in his recovery. With Austin Reaves (oblique) also out, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart have more responsibilities in the Lakers' backcourt. Kennard was fantastic in Saturday's series-opening 107-98 win with a game-high 27 points, nailing all five attempts from behind the arc. Meanwhile, Smart contributed in all areas of the game, finishing with 15 points, two rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and two blocks.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Anthony Edwards Active on Monday Night
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) will play on Monday against the Denver Nuggets. His status for the game was up in the air after the team initially listed Edwards as questionable on the injury report. The Timberwolves star is managing a right knee injury and was also questionable for the series opener. Eventually, Edwards shed the questionable tag and logged 38 minutes in an 116-105 loss. He filled the stat sheet with 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks. However, Edwards finished just 7-for-19 from the field and missed seven of his nine three-point attempts. For the team to stay competitive in this matchup, Minnesota needs him to be more efficient.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Durant a Game-Time Decision on Tuesday
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (knee) will be a game-time decision on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. The two-time Finals MVP missed Saturday's Game 1 in the series due to a bruised right knee. According to Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, Durant participated in about half of Monday's practice. Houston has officially listed him as questionable for Tuesday's contest. On Saturday night, the Rockets struggled to score without Durant, losing 107-98. Josh Okogie and Tari Eason played more important roles in his absence. Eason was one of the team's top performers with 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and three steals off the bench.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Joel Embiid is Officially Ruled Out for Game 2
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (abdomen) has been officially ruled out for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Boston Celtics. As expected, Embiid will remain sidelined after undergoing an appendectomy on April 10. The big man was able to begin a strength and conditioning program on Monday. It remains unclear if Embiid will be available to play at all during this series. The absence of Embiid should mean larger roles for Adem Bona and Andre Drummond. Neither player did much on the stat sheet during Game 1, and remain shaky DFS options for Game 2.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Victor Wembanyama Wins Defensive Player of the Year
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has been named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year on Monday. The 22-year-old becomes the first unanimous selection in league history. A well-deserved award after Wembanyama averaged a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game with 1.0 steals across 64 games. He's also the first player to win it in San Antonio since Kawhi Leonard in 2016. Wembanyama became the youngest player to win the award since its creation in 1983. The 7'4 foot superstar is going to be a threat to win this award every year and possibly MVPs in the near future.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
OG Anunoby is Available to Play for Monday's Game 2
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (ankle) is available to play ahead of Monday's Game 2 against the Atlanta Hawks. As expected, Anunoby is cleared to play after being listed as probable on the injury report. He has been dealing with an ankle issue, but it's not serious enough to keep him out of action in this important playoff game. He should take on his usual role in the rotation during Monday's game. He finished with 18 points and eight rebounds across 38 minutes of action during Saturday's win. He's looking like a decent DFS option after nearly posting a double-double on Saturday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Onyeka Okongwu is Cleared to Play During Game 2 on Monday
Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu (knee) is available to play ahead of Monday's Game 2 against the New York Knicks. Okongwu has been dealing with right knee inflammation, but it won't be serious enough to hold him out of this game. He finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, and two assists across 37 minutes during Saturday's loss. There's a chance that Okongwu sees a lighter workload due to the ongoing knee problem. If that does happen, Mouhamed Gueye and Tony Bradley would likely take on larger roles. Neither of the two big man are worth a look as DFS options with Okongwu healthy on Monday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Immanuel Quickley is Ruled Out for Game 2
Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Quickley is set to miss his second straight playoff game while he recovers from a hamstring injury. Jamal Shead started in his place during Saturday's series opener. Shead finished with 17 points and two assists across 26 minutes of action in the loss. He figures to play a similar role against on Monday. Ja'Kobe Walter could also see more playing time, but isn't an ideal DFS option. Brandon Ingram will be asked to do more offensively with Quickley on the sideline.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Deni Avdija Posts 30-Point Double-Double in Loss
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Deni Avdija posted 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block, and two three-pointers in 39 minutes during Sunday's Western Conference first-round loss to San Antonio. He carried the offense early and remained the team's most consistent option, finishing as the lone player to surpass 20 points. Avdija's high usage and all-around production boost his DFS ceiling, especially with limited scoring support. Scoot Henderson provided secondary scoring, while Jrue Holiday handled playmaking duties but struggled to convert efficiently.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Paolo Banchero Leads Magic in Game 1 Win
Orlando Magic forward/center Paolo Banchero recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two three-pointers in 37 minutes during Sunday's Eastern Conference first-round win over Detroit. He set the tone early and handled the scoring load, with most of his production coming before the fourth quarter as Orlando stayed in control. Banchero continues to anchor the offense with steady usage, giving him a reliable DFS ceiling. Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane round out the offense, while Banchero's all-around role keeps his production consistent.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jalen Duren Posts Quiet Line in Series Opener
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren finished with eight points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one block in 33 minutes during Sunday's Eastern Conference first-round loss to Orlando. He played solid minutes but had limited involvement, attempting just four shots and failing to make a consistent impact offensively. Duren's role remains secure, but his DFS value depends on increased usage and activity on the glass. Cade Cunningham continues to dominate touches, while Tobias Harris may take on more scoring responsibility if Duren remains a low-usage option.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Cade Cunningham Erupts for 39 Points in Playoff Opener
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham poured in 39 points with five rebounds, four assists, and three three-pointers in 40 minutes during Sunday's loss to Orlando. He handled the bulk of the offense, scoring consistently and drawing fouls, but had limited support as the Pistons struggled to find efficient offense. Cunningham's high usage gives him a strong DFS ceiling, though assists may be inconsistent if shots aren't falling around him. Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren need to provide more consistent scoring to ease the burden.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
