NBA Player News

Allen (ribs), who is listed as questionable, did not participate in morning shootaround in advance of Thursday's Game 2 against the Celtics, Bobby Manning of CLNS Media reports.

Allen's rib injury has cost him four consecutive games, and it appears a fifth is on the horizon. We may not get official confirmation on the center's status until closer to tipoff, but his lack of participation in shootaround is a discouraging sign. If he remains out, Evan Mobley should continue serving as the Cavaliers' center while Max Strus and Isaac Okoro play the two forward spots.

Hartenstein contributed 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, eight assists and one block over 39 minutes during Wednesday's 130-121 victory over the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Hartenstein continues to impress for the Knicks, falling two assists short of a triple-double. With Mitchell Robinson (ankle) likely out for the remainder of the postseason, Hartenstein should be in line for heavy minutes moving forward. It's been a breakout season for Hartenstein, one that should have him well-placed to receive a sizeable upgrade when it comes time to discuss his future contract.

Allen (ribs) is questionable for Thursday's Game 2 against the Celtics.

Despite a negative in-game report from TNT's broadcast saying Allen wasn't able to do much in recent practices and was having trouble sleeping due to the rib injury, coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the Game 1 loss that the Cavaliers' starting center is showing signs of progress, per Bobby Manning of the CLNS Media Network. Allen has missed four straight games and was listed as questionable ahead of each contest, so his current status doesn't provide extra optimism.

Holmgren totaled 19 points (8-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 117-95 victory over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Holmgren produced on both ends of the floor, scoring 19 points with five combined steals and blocks. After a stellar rookie season, Holmgren is looking to cement himself as an elite center despite his age. The Thunder will be hoping for a repeat performance Thursday before heading to Dallas for Games 3 and 4.

Gafford totaled 16 points (5-12 FG, 6-8 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and five blocks across 27 minutes during Tuesday's 117-95 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Gafford recorded a double-double in the loss, adding five blocks. It was arguably his best performance of the postseason and something the Mavericks are going to need more of should they hope to advance to the Conference Finals. Despite the loss, the scoreline does not reflect that the Mavericks kept this close for three quarters.

The Knicks announced Tuesday that Robinson sustained a stress injury to his surgically repaired left ankle last week during the team's first-round series victory over the 76ers and will be re-evaluated in 6-to-8 weeks.

Robinson won't need an additional surgery and is expected to make a full recovery before training camp, but the setback with the ankle rules him out for the rest of the Knicks' playoff run. In Robinson's absence, Precious Achiuwa is expected to re-enter the rotation as the primary backup to starting center Isaiah Hartenstein during the Knicks' second-round series versus the Pacers. Robinson made just 31 appearances during the regular season, posting averages of 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks and 0.6 assists in 24.8 minutes.

The NBA announced Tuesday that Gobert (personal) has been named the 2023-24 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Gobert has now tied Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace for the most DPOY awards in NBA history with four. Gobert was the anchor Minnesota's defense, which boasted a league-best 108.4 defensive rating. The defensive stalwart's 2.1 blocks per game ranked sixth in the NBA while his 12.9 rebounds per contest ranked second.

Allen (ribs) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 1 against the Celtics, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Allen will miss his fourth straight contest Tuesday after being downgraded from questionable to out due to a right rib contusion. Isaac Okoro will continue to start in his absence. Allen's next chance to suit up is Game 2 on Thursday.

Robinson is listed as out for Wednesday's Game 2 against the Pacers due to left ankle injury management.

Robinson logged 12 minutes in Game 1 but seemingly aggravated the surgically repaired ankle that has bothered him throughout the playoffs. Precious Achiuwa will likely receive increased playing time in Robinson's absence, while the latter's next chance to suit up is Game 3 on Friday.

Jokic amassed 16 points (5-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 16 rebounds, eight assists and one block across 39 minutes during Monday's 106-80 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Jokic can change a game by himself at any point of a contest and is dominant enough to carry Denver to victory on a regular basis, but he hasn't been able to do it in the first two games of the current series. The two-time MVP winner is averaging 27.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game through seven playoff contests. While he remains an absolute stud in fantasy regardless of what happens with the Nuggets as a team, he needs his teammates to take a step forward to avoid an early exit in their quest to win back-to-back NBA titles.