NBA Player News

  • Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Questionable for Game 1

    Tillman is questionable for Tuesday's Game 1 against the Pacers due to personal reasons, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.

    Tillman hasn't been a consistent part of the rotation during the playoffs, appearing in just three matchups and averaging 1.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game. While it's unclear whether he'll be available to begin the Eastern Conference Finals, his status shouldn't significantly impact the rotation.

  • Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Remains out for Game 1 of ECF

    Porzingis (calf) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Pacers.

    As expected, Porzingis will remain sidelined to start the Eastern Conference Finals due to a right calf strain he suffered in Boston's opening-round series versus Miami. The Latvian big man didn't practice Monday, so it doesn't appear he's close to game action. However, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Friday that Boston is optimistic that Porzingis could return at some point during the series versus Indiana.

  • Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Doesn't practice Monday

    Porzingis (calf) didn't participate in Monday's practice session, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

    Porzingis sustained a calf injury during the first round of the playoffs and isn't expected to be available for the start of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers. His absence from practice reflects that pessimism, while Al Horford and Luke Kornet should continue to see an uptick in playing time during Tuesday's Game 1.

  • Naz Reid C | MIN

    Timberwolves' Naz Reid: Plays key role late in victory

    Reid closed with 11 points (4-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 22 minutes during Sunday's 98-90 win over the Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Reid played additional minutes down the stretch due to Karl-Anthony Towns' foul trouble. As usual, Reid delivered on the offensive end and tallied a few key blocks. He should play a pivotal role off the bench for Minnesota against the high-flying Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.

  • Rudy Gobert C | MIN

    Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert: Delivers clutch performance

    Gobert totaled 13 points (3-7 FG, 7-9 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal in 36 minutes before fouling out of Sunday's 98-90 win over the Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Despite scoring only 13 points, Gobert connected on several key baskets down the stretch. This included a turnaround jumper as the shot clock expired, impressing even his own teammates. With the win, the Timberwolves advance to their first Western Conference Finals appearance in 20 years. Gobert will once again be a force on the defensive end of the floor, tasked with limiting both Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively.

  • Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Stands tall in victory

    Lively had 12 points (5-6 FG, 2-3 FT), 15 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 29 minutes during Saturday's 117-116 victory over the Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Lively continues to play well above his age, producing when it mattered most as the Mavericks eliminated the Thunder. Despite coming off the bench, Lively played the majority of the center minutes, recording his second straight double-double. Dallas will face either the Timberwolves or the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, and either team will provide Lively with elite opposition at the center position.

  • Jericho Sims C | MIL

    Knicks' Jericho Sims: Rare appearance in loss

    Sims racked up one rebound, one assist and one block across four minutes during Friday's 116-103 loss to the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Sims played four minutes of garbage time as the Knicks were soundly beaten by the Pacers. Though he is known for playing his stars heavy minutes, even in losses, common sense prevailed with Tom Thibodeau closing with his second unit. Despite another ankle injury to Mitchell Robinson, Sims has been unable to carve out a consistent role, something that doesn't bode well for his future when looking beyond this season.

  • Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein: Held in check Friday

    Hartenstein contributed four points (1-3 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and one steal over 33 minutes during Friday's 116-103 loss to Indiana in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Hartenstein was unable to repeat his heroics from Game 5, grabbing just seven total rebounds in the loss. Coming off an astonishing 12 offensive rebounds, he struggled to have a meaningful impact as the Knicks were simply outclassed. With the series now deadlocked at 3-3, the two teams will face off one final time in Madison Square Garden on Sunday, with the winner moving on to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

  • Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Expected to miss start of Round 3

    Porzingis (calf) is expected to miss the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

    Porzingis has been sidelined since he sustained a calf injury in Game 4 of Boston's first-round series. Wojnarowski reports that Porzingis is making progress in his recovery, and there's some optimism that he could return at some point during the series. Boston will face the winner of the second-round series between the Knicks and Pacers, and the opening two games are slated for Tuesday and Thursday.

  • Nikola Jokic C | DEN

    Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Can't carry Denver in Game 6

    Jokic contributed 22 points (9-19 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and two assists across 36 minutes during Thursday's 115-70 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Jokic delivered one of the best performances of his playoff career in Game 5 of the series, but he was unable to repeat those numbers in this woeful loss despite a respectable stat line. Jokic shot under 50 percent from the field for the third time in the series, and the Nuggets have lost every time that has happened. While the entire Nuggets offense must perform better in a do-or-die Game 7 contest on Sunday, Jokic will be the one who sets the tone early on.

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