NBA Player News

George is listed as probable for Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Celtics on Saturday due to an illness, Derek Bodner of AllPHLY.com reports.

George played a key role in the Sixers' Game 6 win on Thursday, when he logged 23 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block over 40 minutes. Given that Saturday is an elimination game, George will likely try and play through his ailment, though he could be facing a reduced workload if his condition worsens over the course of the day. If that were to be the case, then Justin Edwards and Kelly Oubre would step into larger roles for the Sixers behind the superstar duo of Joel Embiid (abdomen) and Tyrese Maxey.

Sheppard totaled 10 points (4-19 FG, 1-10 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one assist, two blocks and two steals over 36 minutes during Friday's 98-78 loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Sheppard struggled offensively during Friday's loss and reached the double-digit points mark only because of his shooting volume. He finished the series having averaged 12.2 points on just 30.7 percent shooting (including 29.6 percent from three on 9.0 3PA/G) along with 4.7 assists, 1.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 0.8 blocks over 32.2 minutes per contest. Sheppard saw his playing time increase shortly before and during the playoffs, but his role with the Rockets for the 2026-27 season could shrink due to the return of Fred VanVleet (knee).

Thompson accumulated 18 points (7-14 FG, 4-6 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks over 45 minutes during Friday's 98-78 loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Thompson did most of his scoring out of halftime, scoring 10 of his team-high 18 points in the third quarter, but the Rockets were in too much of a deficit to mount a comeback and extend the series to Game 7. The third-year pro finished the series averaging 19.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks over 44.2 minutes per game. Thompson averaged career highs in points, assists and steals during the 2025-26 regular season and should command a sizable extension from the Rockets during the offseason.

Reaves had 15 points (7-14 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, two assists and three blocks in 31 minutes during Friday's 98-78 victory over Houston in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Reaves was back in the Lakers' starting five for Game 6 after coming off the bench in Game 5 on Wednesday. He wasn't productive Friday as he was Wednesday, but in a low-scoring affair, Reaves still finished as the Lakers' third-leading scorer behind LeBron James (28 points) and Rui Hachimura (21 points). Luka Doncic (hamstring) does not have a clear timeline to return, so Reaves for now will serve as the Lakers' No. 2 option behind James for the team's semifinals matchup against the top-seeded Thunder.

Hachimura totaled 21 points (8-15 FG, 5-7 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists and one block over 35 minutes during Friday's 98-78 victory over the Rockets in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

It was the second time in the series that Hachimura scored 20-plus points, and he finished as the Lakers' second-leading scorer behind LeBron James (28 points). Hachimura will finish the first round of the Western Conference playoffs having averaged 15.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.8 threes and 1.0 steals over 38.5 minutes per game. The Lakers will face the Thunder in the semifinals.

Ayton supplied seven points (2-6 FG, 3-7 FT), 16 rebounds, one assist and one block across 28 minutes during Friday's 98-78 victory over Houston in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Only three Lakers players -- LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves -- scored in double digits during Friday's victory, but Ayton produced in his own way by grabbing a game-high 16 rebounds, one less than his playoff high in Game 5 on Wednesday. Ayton has logged at least 10 rebounds in each of his last three games and will finish the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs having averaged 11.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks over 31.0 minutes. Next up for the Lakers is a conference semifinal matchup against the top-seeded Thunder, and Ayton will have his hands full guarding Chet Holmgren.

James finished with 28 points (10-25 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds and eight assists across 37 minutes in Friday's 98-78 win over the Rockets in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

James shot 0-for-9 from behind the three-point line in the Lakers' previous two games heading into this contest. However, the 22-time All-Star turned it around Friday by sinking two of his five attempts from deep. He also had only three turnovers after combining for 16 in Games 3 and 4. With Los Angeles earning the win, the team will advance to meet Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Semifinals. In two meetings with the Thunder during the regular season, James struggled, averaging 17.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 0.5 blocks and 1.0 steals while shooting 12.5 percent from downtown across 31.0 minutes per contest in those appearances.

Sengun supplied 17 points (5-12 FG, 7-10 FT), 11 rebounds, two blocks and one assist across 38 minutes in Friday's 98-78 loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Sengun struggled with efficiency, though that proved to be a common theme for the Rockets in their season-ending loss. The star big man still finished second on the team in scoring and led the club in rebounds en route to his third double-double of the series. He earned his second career All-Star nod in 2025-26, finishing the regular season with averages of 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 33.3 minutes per tilt across 72 appearances.

Murray-Boyles notched 17 points (6-10 FG, 5-6 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals over 40 minutes during Friday's 112-110 overtime win over Cleveland in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Murray-Boyles continues to be a difference-maker for the Raptors, having scored at least 14 points in all but one of his playoff appearances thus far. He has been able to get it done on both ends of the floor, as he's averaged 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.4 combined steals and blocks. With the series now tied at three games apiece, both teams will head to Cleveland for Game 7, looking to advance to the second round against either the Magic or the Pistons.

Poeltl closed with two points (1-3 FG), four rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals across 22 minutes during Friday's 112-110 overtime victory over the Cavaliers in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Poeltl had very little impact outside of his three combined steals and blocks. Cleveland ran a lot of big lineups Friday, while Toronto opted to go in the other direction, limiting Poeltl's opportunities. Through the first six games of the series, Poeltl has averaged just 18.7 minutes per game, putting up 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.