NBA Player News

Carter will undergo surgery to stabilize the third metacarpal in his left hand, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reported Saturday. Carter is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.

In simpler terms, Carter will have a procedure to fully fix his left hand -- the same hand he sustained a fractured middle finger on early this season -- and is expected to be ready for the 2024-25 campaign. Carter missed a month and a half after sustaining the injury (which required surgery) in November but was able to return and appear in 55 games (48 starts) overall. He's set for re-evaluation four weeks after the procedure.

Turner notched 21 points (7-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and three blocks over 35 minutes during Friday's 111-106 victory over the Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Turner made his presence felt on both ends of the court Friday, tying his playoff-high mark in blocks while recording his first double-double of the current playoff run. The Pacers need Turner to continue making a two-way impact if they're going to turn things around in the series, especially considering how depleted the Knicks are in the frontcourt with Julius Randle (shoulder), Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and OG Anunoby (hamstring) all out for Game 4.

Jokic notched 24 points (10-18 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 14 rebounds, nine assists, three blocks and three steals over 38 minutes in Friday's 117-90 win over the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Jokic did a little bit of everything for Denver in a much-needed Game 3 win on the road, leading all players in Friday's contest in rebounds, assists and blocks while adding a team-high-tying trio of steals and concluding as one of three Nuggets with 20 or more points. Jokic, who ended one dime shy of a triple-double, tallied his second straight double-double and has posted at least 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in every game of the conference semifinals thus far. Jokic looked much more comfortable in Game 3 than we saw earlier in the series, which could be great news for Denver as it tries to even the series.

Gobert tallied six points (3-5 FG, 0-2 FT), four rebounds and one assist over 27 minutes in Friday's 117-90 loss to the Nuggets in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Gobert returned in Game 3 after missing the previous contest due to the birth of his child, putting forth a quiet outing in Minnesota's first loss of the postseason. Gobert failed to reach double figures in both points and rebounds, not tallying 10 or more boards for the third time in the postseason and not crossing the double-digit scoring mark for the third time. In order for Minnesota to bounce back in Sunday's Game 4, Gobert may have to put together a much stronger showing than he did Friday in Minneapolis.

Allen (ribs) is questionable for Saturday's Game 3 against the Celtics.

Allen has missed five straight games and was listed as questionable ahead of each of them, so his current status doesn't provide increased optimism. The Cavaliers were surprisingly able to even the series with a Game 2 victory Thursday, and the potential return of their star big man would be another major momentum shift, especially with Kristaps Porzingis (calf) expected to be sidelined for at least a few more games. However, if Allen remains sidelined, Isaac Okoro would likely draw another start.

Allen (ribs) is out for Thursday's Game 2 against the Celtics, Serena Winters of Bally Sports Cleveland reports.

Allen didn't participate in Thursday's morning shootaround, so his chances of playing in Game 2 were always going to be slim. Isaac Okoro will keep his place in the starting unit as a result, whereas Allen will aim to recover enough to play in Game 3 of the series, scheduled for Saturday.

Gobert (personal) isn't on the injury report for Friday's Game 3 agains the Nuggets.

Gobert will return to action Friday after missing Game 2 due to the birth of his child. The newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year should reclaim his starting spot from Kyle Anderson in Game 3.

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.