NBA Player News

Jokic accumulated 24 points (9-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 15 rebounds, nine assists and one steal over 39 minutes during Thursday's 112-105 victory over the Lakers in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

It seemed effortless at times, but Jokic once again finished just shy of posting a triple-double, despite dealing with the imposing threat of Anthony Davis on both ends of the court throughout the entire contest. Jokic has posted seven straight double-doubles dating back to the regular season, and he's averaging 27.7 points, 15.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game so far in the series against the Lakers.

Allen ended with 15 points (5-6 FG, 5-5 FT), eight rebounds and one block over 24 minutes during Thursday's 121-83 loss to the Magic in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Allen was one of two Cavaliers who reached the 15-point plateau in this blowout loss, and although this ended up being one of Cleveland's worst performances of the campaign, Allen found a way to deliver a decent stat line. The big man will aim to continue making a two-way impact in Game 4 of the series Saturday.

Hartenstein closed Thursday's 125-114 loss to Philadelphia in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 14 points (7-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds and one assist in 26 minutes.

Hartenstein picked up five fouls in the loss, limiting him to just 26 minutes. Mitchell Robinson went down with another ankle injury, meaning the Knicks are going to need Hartenstein to play the bulk of the center minutes. While this performance was modest, to say the least, Hartenstein has been a factor in the series to this point, continuing his breakout season.

Embiid revealed after Thursday's 125-114 win over the Knicks in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series that he's being treated for a mild case of Bell's palsy, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. He finished the Game 3 win with 50 points (13-19 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 19-21 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and one block across 41 minutes.

Since making his return to action April 2 following his recovery from left knee surgery, Embiid has routinely been posting big scoring numbers, but he wasn't as efficient as usual, as he converted 44.8 percent of his field-goal attempts in his first games back from the injury. However, Embiid looked as dominant as ever Thursday as the 76ers staved off a 3-0 series deficit, becoming the first player in NBA playoff history to score 50 points on fewer than 20 field-goal attempts. Embiid's postgame revelation of his Bell's palsy diagnosis may be the bigger headline, with the center noting that he first noticed symptoms of the condition following the 76ers' Play-In Tournament victory over the Heat last week. Bell's palsy is a condition in which a person experiences facial weakness or paralysis due to injury to the seventh facial nerve. Based on Embiid's performance Thursday, his play nor his availability are expected to be affected by the issue.

Robinson was spotted with a walking boot on his sprained left ankle following his early exit in Thursday's 125-114 loss to the 76ers in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports. Further tests will be needed to determine whether he will be able to face the Sixers in Game 4 on Sunday.

Robinson scored two points (1-3 FG, 0-2 FT) and nabbed seven rebounds in 12 minutes before leaving the contest late in the second quarter, when the 76ers' Joel Embiid grabbed at Robinson's ankle and was assessed a flagrant foul. The Knicks will send Robinson in for further testing ahead of Sunday's Game 4 in Philadelphia, but if he's unable to play, head coach Tom Thibodeau will likely keep a spot in the rotation open for Precious Achiuwa to serve as the primary backup to starting center Isaiah Hartenstein.

Davis (back) is available for Game 3 against the Nuggets on Thursday, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

As has been the trend throughout the regular season and the playoffs, Davis appeared on the injury report but has been listed as available closer to tipoff. Davis has averaged 32.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 blocks per game in the first two games of the series against the Nuggets.

Robinson won't return to Thursday's Game 3 versus the 76ers due to a sprained left ankle, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports. He finished with two points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes.

Robinson carried a questionable tag into Thursday, and he seemed uncomfortable and a step slow for most of the evening before he left the game for good. Isaiah Hartenstein will likely be asked to soak up more minutes in his absence. Robinson should be considered questionable for Game 4 on Sunday.

Embiid (knee) will start Thursday's Game 3 against the Knicks, Kyle Neubeck of AllPHLY.com reports.

Embiid carried a questionable tag prior to this update, but he seemed more than fine in the opening pair of games in this series. He made it through his usual warmup, and there's no word of any restrictions ahead of tipoff, so he seems like a safe bet to handle his regular workload after logging 35-plus minutes in the first two contests of the series.

Gafford (back) is questionable for Friday's game against the Clippers, Mike Curtis of The Detroit News reports.

The questionable tag on Gafford is not surprising, as the big man missed Thursday's practice due to his lower back problem. If he can't go Friday, then Dereck Lively and Maxi Kleber are candidates to receive increased playing time.

Carter is in the starting lineup to face the Cavaliers on Thursday, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.

Carter was the starting center for the majority of the regular season, and he will slot back into that role as the Magic attempt to shake things up ahead of a pivotal Game 3 at home. Carter has averaged 10.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in a starting role this season.