NBA Player News

Anunoby (hamstring) is available for Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

Anunoby has been cleared to return for the series opener after a 13-day layoff allowed him to recover from a right hamstring strain. The star forward has been sidelined since May 6, when he exited Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 76ers. While the Knicks managed to sweep that series in his absence the last two games, his return is a massive boost as the team faces a fresh Cleveland squad.

Fox (ankle) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder.

Per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, head coach Mitch Johnson indicated Tuesday that Fox will be a game-time call for Game 2, so he'll presumably go through pregame warmups before a final decision is made. The star guard has been dealing with lingering right ankle soreness and was unable to suit up in Monday's double-overtime win in Game 1, during which Dylan Harper got the starting nod and recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals and six assists across 47 minutes. Harper is expected to remain in the starting lineup if Fox isn't cleared to play.

Fox (ankle) is a game-time decision for Wednesday's Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.

Fox seemingly had been in line to be available for Game 1 before being unexpectedly ruled out Monday, and his status remains murky for Game 2. The star guard will likely test out his sore right ankle during Wednesday's pregame warmups before the Spurs decide if he can play. Dylan Harper, who logged a postseason-high 47 minutes in Game 1, would be the direct fantasy beneficiary if Fox is unable to suit up.

Hartenstein recorded two points (0-1 FG, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal across 12 minutes during Monday's 122-115 double-overtime loss to San Antonio in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Hartenstein struggled to make a tangible impact, other than compiling three combined steals and blocks. He closed by logging just 12 minutes, the fewest he has played throughout the postseason. Although he should be better than this on most nights, the simple fact is that Victor Wembanyama got the better of him on this occasion. In nine playoff appearances, Hartenstein has averaged 9.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.2 combined steals and blocks in 24.1 minutes per contest.

Mitchell accumulated four points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds, five assists and two steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 122-115 double-overtime loss to the Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Mitchell moved back to the bench, with Jalen Williams returning to the starting lineup after missing six straight games due to a hamstring injury. Despite the relegation, Mitchell still managed to see 34 minutes, albeit largely unproductive. Through nine playoff appearances, Mitchell has averaged 17.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 three-pointers. While his move to the bench is likely to result in less production, Mitchell should be better than this, based on what we have seen thus far throughout the postseason.

Williams (hamstring) closed with 26 points (11-25 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 37 minutes during Monday's 122-115 double-overtime loss to the Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Williams returned to action for the first time in nearly a month, after missing the Thunder's previous six playoff games due to a left hamstring strain. Despite the layoff, Williams appeared as close to 100 percent healthy as the Thunder might have hoped, providing excellent production while logging his most minutes in a game since Jan. 7. Oklahoma City may have been planning for Williams to take on a lighter workload in his return, as he played 30 minutes through four quarters before adding seven more to his total between the two extra periods. Now trailing the series 1-0, Oklahoma City will look to wrestle back momentum when the two teams meet again in Game 2 on Wednesday.

Castle logged 17 points (5-14 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 6-7 FT), six rebounds, 11 assists and one steal across 49 minutes during Monday's 122-115 double-overtime victory over the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Castle recorded his third double-double of the postseason, helping the Spurs to an emphatic road victory in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. With De'Aaron Fox (ankle) sidelined, Castle was tasked with doing more of the ballhandling, ending with 11 assists and 11 turnovers. Despite some carelessness with the ball, Castle did an admirable job of finding his teammates, particularly Victor Wembanyama. If Fox is ruled out for Game 2, Castle is likely to serve as the primary ballhandler once again.

Harper totaled 24 points (8-20 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 7-7 FT), 11 rebounds, six assists and seven steals in 47 minutes during Monday's 122-115 double-overtime victory over Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Harper moved into the starting lineup, replacing De'Aaron Fox, who was ruled out with an ankle injury. It was Harper's first start of the postseason, and the fifth of his career. He repaid the coaches, delivering an elite two-way performance, scoring 24 points for the second time in the past four games and adding a career-high seven steals. In 12 playoff appearances, the rookie has averaged 14.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals in 27.0 minutes per contest. If Fox is forced to miss Game 2, expect to see Harper retain his spot in the opening five.

Caruso contributed 31 points (11-19 FG, 8-14 3Pt, 1-3 FT), two rebounds, two steals, two blocks and one assist across 32 minutes in Monday's 122-115 double-overtime loss to the Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Caruso was all over the place Monday, making his presence felt on both ends of the floor despite the tightly contested loss. The veteran swingman scored 10 points in the opening quarter amid some early-game struggles for the Thunder, and he ended with a team- and season-high 31 points. He also supplied multiple steals for a fourth straight game and multiple blocks for the first time since March 21.

Wembanyama racked up 41 points (14-25 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 12-13 FT), 24 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal across 49 minutes in Monday's 122-115 double-overtime win over the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

The Thunder threw the kitchen sink at Wembanyama in this one, though it didn't stop him from becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game. The superstar center led all players in points, rebounds and blocks in a career-high 49 minutes. His 24 rebounds were also a career high, and he has now logged seven double-doubles this postseason. While it'll be a difficult performance to replicate, Wembanyama will look to remain highly productive and lead San Antonio to a commanding 2-0 series lead in Oklahoma City on Wednesday.