NBA Player News

Strus won't start Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.

Strus got the starting nod in Cleveland's final two regular-season games with multiple key contributors out, though he'll slide to the second unit for the start of the playoffs. Over seven regular-season appearances off the bench, he averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 23.6 minutes per tilt.

Porter is not in the Cavaliers' starting lineup for Game 1 against the Raptors on Saturday.

Porter started the Cavaliers' regular-season finale against the Wizards this past Sunday, when he played 28 minutes and finished with seven points, seven rebounds, four assists and one block in a 130-117 win. He'll revert to a bench role for Game 1 while the Cavaliers roll with a starting five of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade.

Post (foot) averaged 7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.4 steals in 17.3 minutes per game across 67 regular-season appearances (35 starts) in 2025-26.

Even as a member of the starting five, Post saw inconsistent playing time for the injury-plagued Warriors this season. The big man produced numbers similar to his rookie campaign but saw a dip in his three-point efficiency, shooting 33.6 percent from downtown. He still appeared in 25 more regular-season games than in 2024-25, though he missed the final seven outings of the regular season and both Play-In Tournament games due to a right foot injury. The 26-year-old's future in Golden State is uncertain, with the club holding a team option for 2026-27.

Williams averaged 8.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.4 steals in 17.1 minutes per game across 14 regular-season appearances (two starts) in 2025-26.

Williams joined Golden State on a two-way contract in mid-February and saw an expanded role at times for the injury-plagued Warriors. The 27-year-old wing will look to earn a full-time NBA roster spot next season, as he's no longer eligible for a two-way pact.

Leons averaged 3.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks in 11.0 minutes per game across 25 regular-season appearances (two starts) in the 2025-26 campaign.

After averaging just 3.5 minutes per game over six regular-season appearances with the Thunder in 2024-25, Leons saw an increased role for the injury-plagued Warriors this season. The two-way player signed with Golden State in early December on a two-way pact and logged the majority of his action in the second half of the season. The 26-year-old forward also appeared in 33 G League outings between the Santa Cruz Warriors and Oklahoma City Blue, during which he averaged 14.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks in 34.1 minutes per tilt.

James amassed six points (2-5 FG, 2-5 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists across 18 minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

The rookie second-rounder was a key contributor for the Hornets during the first half of the 2025-26 regular season, and he started 11 of Charlotte's 13 games from Oct. 30 to Nov. 23. He saw his playing time dip slightly in 2026, and in the 27 regular-season games since the All-Star break (one start), James averaged 4.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 threes and 0.8 steals over 19.4 minutes per contest. He figures to serve in a bench role for the 2026-27 season unless a path to more playing time opens up for the Duke product.

Quickley (hamstring) has been ruled out for Game 1 against the Cavaliers on Saturday, Spencer Davies of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Quickley sustained a hamstring injury during the Raptors' regular-season finale against the Nets this past Sunday. The injury is severe enough for him to miss Toronto's playoff opener, and his next opportunity to play is Game 2 on Monday. Jamal Shead figures to start for the Raptors on Saturday in Quickley's absence.

Bridges ended Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic with 15 points (5-12 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds and one assist across 28 minutes.

Bridges propelled the Hornets to a 127-126 overtime victory over the Heat in Tuesday's Play-In Game, when he logged 28 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal over 43 minutes, though he was unable to replicate that production in Friday's elimination loss. Bridges was productive to open the 2025-26 season, but his numbers dipped significantly following the All-Star break. Over his final 24 regular-season outings from Feb. 24 to April 12, he averaged 14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 threes and 0.8 steals over 28.3 minutes per game. Part of that dip had to do with Bridges taking a back seat to the likes of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller. Bridges is slated to earn $22.8 million in 2026-27, which is the final year he is under contract with Charlotte.

Miller closed with 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-7 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and two steals over 29 minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

Miller played a key role in the Hornets' 127-126 overtime win over the Heat on Tuesday, though he was unable to replicate that success in Friday's elimination game. The 2023 first-rounder has established himself as a franchise cornerstone for the Hornets alongside LaMelo Ball and 2025-26 Rookie of the Year candidate Kon Knueppel. Miller ended the 2025-26 regular season averaging 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.1 threes, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks over 30.3 minutes per game. He has two years left on his rookie contract (including a $21.2 million qualifying offer for 2027-28), though Miller could earn a rookie max extension from the Hornets in the offseason.

Knueppel produced 11 points (3-10 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-5 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 29 minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

Knueppel was one of the deadliest shooters from three-point range during his rookie season, connecting on 42.5 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc (on 7.9 3PA/G). However, he struggled toward the tail end of the campaign, and over his last six outings (including both Play-In Tournament games), he connected on just 29.5 percent of his field-goal attempts (including 23.8 percent of three-point tries) while averaging 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.7 steals over 31.5 minutes per game. Knueppel's disappointing end to 2025-26 shouldn't take away from his historic season, as he and former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg are both frontrunners for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award.