NBA Player News

  • Myles Turner C | MIL

    Pacers' Myles Turner: Four rejections against Milwaukee

    Turner totaled 19 points (7-12 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, two assists, four blocks and one steal in 31 minutes during Saturday's 117-98 victory over Milwaukee in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    The 29-year-old center dominated at the rim, recording multiple rejections for the sixth time in seven April appearances. Turner is averaging 17.1 points, 6.0 boards, 3.6 blocks, 2.4 threes and 1.3 assists on the month, and his defensive presence will likely be a difference-maker for Indiana if the team advances to the next round.

  • Jericho Sims C | MIL

    Bucks' Jericho Sims: Part of rotation in playoff opener

    Sims (thumb) played 10 minutes Saturday in the Bucks' 117-98 loss to the Pacers in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series, finishing with two rebounds and one block.

    After requiring surgery March 17 to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and missing the final 15 games of the regular season, Sims showed enough improvement over the past week to gain clearance for the Bucks' postseason opener. Though Bobby Portis returned from his 25-game suspension at the tail end of the regular season to bolster the Bucks' frontcourt depth, head coach Doc Rivers was still able to find a spot in the rotation for Sims, who handled a light role off the bench while starting center Brook Lopez was limited to 21 minutes. Unless a 20-to-25-minute role becomes the norm for Lopez, Sims likely won't see his role increase as the series unfolds, and he could even be at risk of falling out of the rotation entirely. Damian Lillard has been cleared to resume on-court work after he had been diagnosed in March with a blood clot in his right calf, and if he's back in action for Game 2 on Tuesday, he would likely poach minutes from Sims and a few other supporting players.

  • Alex Len C | NY

    Lakers' Alex Len: Back to bench for playoff opener

    Len is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 against the Timberwolves on Saturday, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

    The Lakers rested most of their regulars for the regular-season finale against the Trail Blazers on April 13, so Len got the start at center, but that won't be the case for this postseason opener. Jaxson Hayes will start at center, meaning Len will be limited to a secondary role off the bench.

  • Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Available for series opener

    Hartenstein (Achilles) is available Sunday for Game 1 of the Thunder's first-round playoff series with the Grizzlies.

    Hartenstein missed the final three games of the regular season due to left Achilles tendinitis, but his absences were likely a result of Oklahoma City having already secured the NBA's top record. During his first season in Oklahoma City, Hartenstein averaged 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals in 57 appearances.

  • Chet Holmgren PF | OKC

    Thunder's Chet Holmgren: Will play against Memphis on Sunday

    Holmgren (back) has been upgraded to available for Game 1 against the Grizzlies on Sunday.

    Holmgren missed the final two games of the regular season, but it was only because the Thunder were extremely cautious with the big man since OKC had already secured the top seed in the Western Conference. However, Holmgren should be ready to handle his regular two-way workload. The second-year big man was limited to only 32 appearances in the regular season, but he still averaged 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.0 assists per game.

  • Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Available for series opener

    Hukporti (knee) is available for Saturday's Game 1 against the Pistons.

    The big man will be available for the series opener, although don't expect him to play meaningful minutes in the rotation. With Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson available, Hukporti will be the third-string center in the rotation.

  • Zach Edey C | MEM

    Grizzlies' Zach Edey: Another double-double Friday

    Edey contributed 15 points (7-9 FG, 1-3 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 32 minutes during Friday's 120-106 Play-In Game win over Dallas.

    Edey continues to play his best basketball of the season, recording his second straight double-double. He has now logged at least 30 minutes in five consecutive games, playing typical starters minutes after consistency had been an issue throughout his rookie campaign. With Brandon Clarke (knee) unavailable for the remainder of the season, Edey has been thrust into a more sizeable role. In 13 games over the past month, he has averaged 10.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 26.4 minutes per game. He should continue to play a crucial role when the Grizzlies take on the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs, a team that has the ability to play big, with the likes of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.

  • Jay Huff C | IND

    Grizzlies' Jay Huff: Muted role continues in win

    Huff provided no counting stats across two minutes during Friday's 120-106 Play-In Game victory over the Mavericks.

    Huff continues to play a very limited role for the Grizzlies despite the season-ending injury to Brandon Clarke. Outside of a 22-point performance in a blowout win over the Mavericks a week ago, Huff has barely touched the floor. He has appeared in 10 games over the past month, averaging 6.1 points in 10.1 minutes per game.

  • Al Horford C | GS

    Celtics' Al Horford: Fades injury report

    Horford (knee) is not on the injury report ahead of Sunday's Game 1 against the Magic, John Karalis of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

    Horford spent most of the season on the injury report due to a left big toe sprain, but he missed three of the final four games of the regular season due to a right knee sprain. The week off has benefited the veteran big man, and he's been given the green light to play in Boston's postseason opener Sunday. In 17 regular-season games since the All-Star break, Horford averaged 11.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 30.1 minutes per game while connecting on 38.5 percent of his three-point attempts over that span.

  • Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Officially set to play Sunday

    Porzingis (rest) isn't on the injury report for Sunday's Game 1 against the Magic, John Karalis of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

    As expected, Porzingis will return to action for the playoffs after sitting out Boston's regular-season finale. The star big man should reclaim his starting spot from Luke Kornet against Orlando.

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