NBA Player News

Melton won't start Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Clippers, Anthony Slater of ESPN.com reports.

Gui Santos will enter the starting five Wednesday, pushing Melton to the second unit. He averaged 11.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals in 21.6 minutes per showing over 25 appearances off the bench during the regular season.

Horford won't start Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Clippers, Anthony Slater of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran big man got the starting nod with Draymond Green (back) sidelined in Sunday's regular-season finale -- a loss to the Clippers -- though Horford will retreat to the second unit in Wednesday's do-or-die matchup. The 39-year-old averaged 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 blocks in 20.6 minutes per game across 32 regular-season appearances off the bench.

Jackson (ankle) is available for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Warriors.

Jackson missed the Clippers' final eight regular-season games due to a sprained right ankle, though he'll return for Wednesday's win-or-go-home matchup. Over his last 10 appearances during the regular season, the big man averaged 8.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks while shooting 79.2 percent from the field across 18.2 minutes per contest.

Watford (illness) is available for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Magic, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Watford will shake off his probable tag due to an illness and suit up Wednesday. He logged 15 minutes over only three regular-season appearances in April and isn't likely to see significant burn against Orlando.

Isaac (knee) won't play in Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the 76ers, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Isaac isn't ready to return Wednesday from a month-long absence with a left knee sprain. His absence should help keep Tristan da Silva in a significant role in the frontcourt against Philadelphia.

Head coach Jamahl Mosley said Wagner will remain on an unspecified minutes restriction in Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the 76ers, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.

While it's unclear exactly how many minutes the 24-year-old forward will be capped at, Mosley relayed that he's expected to see a slight bump in playing time. Wagner logged 26 minutes during Sunday's loss to Boston in Orlando's regular-season finale, posting 20 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Howard (ankle) is available for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the 76ers.

Howard missed the final five outings of the regular season due to a left ankle sprain, though he'll be available for Wednesday's contest. Over 55 regular-season appearances, he averaged 5.5 points in 12.6 minutes per tilt, and he isn't guaranteed meaningful run against Philadelphia.

Jackson (ankle) is probable for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Warriors, per NBA writer Justin Russo.

Jackson was able to go through Tuesday's practice, and he's on the cusp of ending an eight-game absence due to a right ankle sprain. The fifth-year big man should mix in a bit as a backup center behind Brook Lopez on Wednesday. Jackson averaged 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks in 15.9 minutes per tilt across 17 regular-season games for the Clippers in 2025-26, shooting 76.4 percent from the field during that stretch.

Kolek (oblique) participated in Wednesday's practice, per Jared Schwartz of the New York Post.

The second-year guard missed New York's final four games of the regular season due to a right oblique strain, but he's trending in the right direction ahead of the playoffs. Even if Kolek is available for Game 1 on Saturday versus the Hawks, Miles McBride and Jordan Clarkson appear to be the favorites for the reserve minutes in the backcourt.

Anunoby (ankle) went through practice Wednesday, per Jared Schwartz of the New York Post.

Anunoby twisted his ankle during Friday's win over the Raptors and proceeded to sit out Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Hornets. New York's next contest isn't until Saturday's Game 1 matchup versus Atlanta, so Anunoby has plenty of time to recover.