NBA News

Ja'Kobe Walter • SG • Raptors

Ja'Kobe Walter Could Miss Pivotal Game 3

Toronto Raptors guard Ja'Kobe Walter (illness) is questionable for Thursday's Eastern Conference first-round Game 3 against Cleveland as the series shifts back to Toronto. He logged 28 minutes in each of the first two games with Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) sidelined, including 14 points and three three-pointers in Game 2. If Walter sits, Jamal Shead could again push toward 38 minutes after posting three points, four assists, and two steals, while A.J. Lawson may enter the rotation. Walter carries DFS appeal if active, though his role is sensitive to Quickley's status.

4 hours ago

Peyton Watson • SF • Nuggets

Peyton Watson Remains Out for Game 3

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) is out for Thursday's Western Conference first-round Game 3 against Minnesota, extending his absence to eight straight games. He has yet to appear in this series and remains without a clear return timeline. Watson averaged 14.6 points and 1.5 three-pointers during the regular season, but Denver has adjusted without him. Christian Braun logged 16 points, five assists, and two steals in 35 minutes in Game 2, while Cameron Johnson added 13 points in 28 minutes. Both remain viable DFS options with stable roles.

4 hours ago

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Likely to Play in Game 3

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) is probable for Thursday's Western Conference first-round Game 3 against Minnesota and is expected to play through left calf tightness. He has averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 33.0 minutes this series, though he managed just eight points with seven rebounds and four assists across 37 minutes in Game 2. Gordon remains a secondary DFS option tied to peripheral stats, while Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray continue to dominate usage. Bruce Brown would see a slight bump only if Gordon is limited.

4 hours ago

Anthony Edwards • SG • Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards' Status Uncertain for Game 3

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (knee) is questionable for Thursday's Western Conference first-round Game 3 against Denver due to right knee injury maintenance after being listed with the same tag in the first two games. He still played 39.0 minutes per game in the series, averaging 26.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 blocks, including a 30-point, 10-rebound effort in Game 2. If active, he remains a top DFS anchor. If not, Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland would see expanded roles, with Dosunmu offering safer minutes and Hyland bringing scoring upside.

4 hours ago

Thomas Bryant • C • Cavaliers

Thomas Bryant Iffy for Game 3

Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (calf) is questionable for Thursday's Eastern Conference first-round Game 3 against Toronto after missing the last six games. If active, he is expected to handle a limited bench role behind Jarrett Allen. His return should have minimal impact on Cleveland's rotation, with Allen and Evan Mobley continuing to log steady minutes in the frontcourt. Bryant is not a DFS target due to his uncertain workload, while Mobley remains the stronger DFS option given his broader stat profile.

4 hours ago

Immanuel Quickley • PG • Raptors

Immanuel Quickley Questionable for Game 3

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) is questionable for Thursday's Eastern Conference first-round Game 3 against Cleveland after missing the first two games of the series. If he returns, it should help settle the backcourt and take some pressure off the other playmakers. Jamal Shead logged 38 minutes with three points and four assists in Game 2 but offers limited scoring upside, while Ja'Kobe Walter (illness) posted 14 points with three three-pointers in 28 minutes off the bench. Quickley's presence would likely cut into both roles and boost Brandon Ingram's efficiency, making him a strong DFS option if active.

5 hours ago

Jonathan Isaac • PF • Magic

Jonathan Isaac Ruled Out for Game 2

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) is out for Wednesday's Eastern Conference first-round Game 2 against Detroit and remains limited to light on-court work, putting his availability for this series in doubt. He has not played since mid-March, so Orlando's rotation is already settled without him. Paolo Banchero should continue leading with a 27.1 usage rate, while Wendell Carter Jr. and Franz Wagner hold steady roles. Tristan da Silva and Goga Bitadze remain low-cost DFS fillers, though their minutes are not guaranteed.

5 hours ago

Scoot Henderson • PG • Trail Blazers

Scoot Henderson Erupts for 31 Points in Series-Tying Victory

Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson played a leading role in Tuesday's 106-103 Game 2 win over the San Antonio Spurs, leading all scorers with 31 points. Henderson scored very efficiently in Game 1 and hadn't lost his touch on Tuesday night, finishing 11-for-17 from the field. He was 5-for-9 from outside and 4-for-6 at the line. At 22, Henderson became Portland's youngest-ever 30-point scorer in the playoffs. Yet there were also some shortcomings in his performance, as Henderson didn't register a single assist and collected only one rebound. Defensively, he managed one steal and one block. Henderson has made a superb start to his first career postseason campaign, but with his field-goal percentage at a lofty 64.3 percent, it may be hard for him to sustain his current scoring rate.

14 hours ago

Alperen Sengün • C • Rockets

Alperen Sengun Fills Stat Sheet in Losing Effort

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun finished Tuesday's 101-94 Game 2 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers with 20 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks. The Turkish star left his fingerprints all over this game, yet the Rockets were held to 100 points again and suffered another loss. While Houston has been beaten by the Lakers in back-to-back games, Sengun has been productive in the series. Still, he is capable of making a bigger impact, having made only 38.5 percent of his field-goal attempts so far. The Rockets will attempt to spark a comeback on home court, starting with Game 3 on Friday night.

14 hours ago

Kevin Durant • PF • Rockets

Kevin Durant Commits Nine Turnovers in Game 2 Loss

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant led his team with 23 points in Tuesday's 101-94 loss to the Lakers, but he also committed a game-high nine turnovers. The rest of the Rockets had only six turnovers combined. Returning from a knee injury, which kept him sidelined for the series opener, Durant logged 41 minutes. He made only one of four outside attempts but was efficient overall, going 7-for-12 from the field and 8-for-9 at the free-throw line. The two-time Finals MVP capped off his line with six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Houston now heads home with a 2-0 series deficit, but the team can still turn the series around if they get the best out of Durant.

14 hours ago

Marcus Smart • PG • Lakers

Marcus Smart Catches Fire in Game 2

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart made five of his seven attempts from outside and contributed 25 points in Tuesday's 101-94 Game 2 win over the Houston Rockets. Only LeBron James (28) had a higher points tally in the contest, with Smart finishing 8-for-13 from the field and 4-for-5 at the line. As usual, Smart also made his presence felt on the defensive end, snagging five steals and blocking one shot. His line also included two rebounds and seven assists. The Lakers are missing Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) to start the postseason, but you wouldn't know it from how well Smart and Luke Kennard have played. So far, the duo is averaging a combined 45.0 points per game in the first-round series.

14 hours ago

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Leads Lakers to Victory With Game-High 28 Points

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James posted a game-high 28 points as the team grabbed a 2-0 series lead against the Houston Rockets with a 101-94 win on Tuesday night. The legendary forward also tallied eight rebounds, seven assists, and one steal, finishing 8-for-20 from the field and 10-for-14 at the charity stripe. James' work on the offensive end included a jaw-dropping reverse dunk in the third quarter. Even with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) on the shelf, Houston has struggled to match the Lakers, largely because of James's all-out effort. The four-time Finals MVP may be 41, but he's playing with the vigor of a 21-year-old embarking on his first postseason, averaging 23.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 10.0 assists, and 1.5 steals through the opening games of the first round.

15 hours ago

Jake LaRavia • PF • Lakers

Jake LaRavia Exits Early Tuesday

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (leg) missed the end of Tuesday's Game 2 win over Houston, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports. The 24-year-old exited the action due to an apparent right leg injury with 5:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. LaRavia finished Tuesday's win scoreless in 16 minutes off the bench but grabbed two rebounds and had one block. The Lakers have been badly stung by injuries late in the season, and it's possible LaRavia will also have to miss time. In that case, Jarred Vanderbilt must be ready for a heavier workload in the second unit.

15 hours ago

Harrison Barnes • SF • Spurs

Harrison Barnes Injures Left Wrist in Game 2

San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (wrist) exited Tuesday's Game 2 loss to Portland early in the fourth quarter, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports. He was hurt in a collision with Portland's Deni Avdija. Barnes went to the locker room and didn't return to the game, even after coming back to the bench. The 2015 NBA champion finished with four points and one rebound in 15 minutes off the bench. Keldon Johnson and Dylan Harper are likely to see more minutes in the second unit if Barnes has to miss additional time.

15 hours ago

Jaylen Brown • SG • Celtics

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.

Yesterday

VJ Edgecombe • SG • 76ers

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.

Yesterday

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander • PG • Thunder

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.

Yesterday

Austin Reaves • SG • Lakers

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.

Yesterday

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

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.

Yesterday

Kevin Durant • PF • Rockets

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.

Yesterday

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