NBA Player News

Merrill (hamstring) is trending favorably regarding his availability for Saturday's Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Detroit, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Merrill didn't suit up for Game 2 because of a left hamstring strain. Although he is currently listed as questionable, it appears he will return from his one-game absence Saturday. Merrill has appeared in eight games this postseason, averaging 6.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.4 steals across 18.5 minutes. While he hasn't been the most productive, his presence could at least mean Max Strus, Dean Wade and Dennis Schroder will see fewer minutes.

Hyland (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Friday in the Timberwolves' 115-108 loss to the Spurs in Game 3 of a Western Conference Semifinals series.

With Anthony Edwards (41 minutes) and Ayo Dosunmu (32 minutes) both being able to take on full workloads in Game 3, Minnesota didn't have any playing time in the backcourt left over for Hyland, who dropped out of head coach Chris Finch's eight-man rotation. Hyland had appeared in each of the Timberwolves' first eight playoff games, averaging 5.4 points, 1.9 assists, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 three-pointers in 13.1 minutes per contest.

Maxey provided 17 points (8-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt), two rebounds, seven assists and one steal in 44 minutes during Friday's 108-94 loss to the Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Maxey attempted just 12 shots, finishing with 17 points. Although his numbers were fine, it does feel as though Maxey is beginning to show signs of fatigue after carrying the offense for much of the playoffs. In three games against the Knicks, he has averaged 18.6 points, 5.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 three-pointers. Now trailing 3-0, Philadelphia is going to need a lot more from Maxey should it hope to extend the series to a fifth game.

Embiid accumulated 18 points (7-17 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-6 FT), six rebounds, five assists and three blocks across 35 minutes during Friday's 108-94 loss to New York in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

After missing Game 2 due to injury, Embiid returned to action Friday. While his numbers have been fine since returning in Game 4 against the Celtics, it is clear that Embiid is functioning at well below 100 percent. In six postseason appearances, he has recorded just six blocks while grabbing double-digit boards on only three occasions. Philadelphia now trails 3-0, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday.

Towns posted eight points (3-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, seven assists and one block over 26 minutes during Friday's 108-94 victory over the 76ers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Towns was limited to fewer than 29 minutes for the fourth straight game, picking up his third foul midway through the second quarter. Despite some ongoing issues on the defensive end. Towns has been rock solid for the Knicks during the postseason. As per usual, his rebound numbers have been elite; however, his assist numbers have been the real talking point. Through nine games, he is averaging 6.1 assists per game, well up on his season average of 3.4.

Shamet contributed 15 points (5-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds and one steal over 26 minutes during Friday's 108-94 win over the 76ers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

After barely touching the floor for much of the playoffs, Shamet scored 15 points in 26 minutes, more than what he had put up in his previous eight games combined. With OG Anunoby sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Shamet was the next man up, providing the Knicks with some crucial production early in the game. If Anunoby is to miss more time, expect to see Shamet playing a meaningful role once again.

McBride accumulated three points (1-6 FG, 1-5 3Pt), two assists and two blocks over 21 minutes during Friday's 108-94 win over the 76ers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

McBride was elevated into the starting lineup after OG Anunoby was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Despite the promotion, McBride struggled to produce anything of note outside of two blocked shots. It mattered little, with New York recording a third straight victory to now lead the series 3-0. As for McBride, he has scored in double digits only twice in the playoffs, with those performances coming in Games 3 and 4 against the Hawks in the first round.

McDaniels contributed 17 points (5-22 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 40 minutes during Friday's 115-108 loss to San Antonio in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

McDaniels couldn't get his shot to drop, opening the game with five straight bricks, and he was just missing a lot of shots he traditionally makes. Ayo Dosunmu also had a tough offensive outing, finishing with 11 points (4-12 FG, 3-8 3Pt), seven rebounds, five assists, one steal and four turnovers in 32 minutes off the bench.

Randle accumulated 12 points (3-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds and one steal across 31 minutes during Friday's 115-108 loss to the Spurs in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Randle struggled to get involved offensively, with his first bucket not coming until midway through the second quarter and his next make not arriving until the fourth. He finished as a minus-11 in the seven-point loss, and this marked his first game of the postseason without an assist. Randle will need to be better in Game 4 if the Timberwolves hope to avoid falling into a 1-3 series hole.

Edwards finished Friday's 115-108 loss to San Antonio in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 32 points (12-26 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists and one block in 41 minutes.

Edwards shined in his return to the starting lineup, providing steady offense while his teammates were struggling, and he closed out the first quarter with 12 straight points. This was the best that Edwards has looked since returning from the knee injury, and considering he logged 41 minutes, it's safe to say he's no longer dealing with any sort of minutes restrictions.