NBA Player News

Speaking on ESPN's Get Up Show, Shams Charania reports that Durant is unlikely to play in Game 5 versus the Lakers on Wednesday.

Durant continues to nurse a bone bruise in his left ankle, which is limiting his mobility. With Houston's superstar forward looking iffy at best, the team will likely need to rely heavily on Tari Eason once again.

Holland (coach's decision) failed to get off the bench Monday in the Pistons' 94-88 loss to the Magic in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

With head coach J.B. Bickerstaff electing to scale down his rotation for the last two games, Holland has failed to get off the bench in both contests after logging 18 combined minutes in the first two playoff tilts. Holland's lack of floor-spacing ability is likely a factor in the Pistons' decision to drop him from the rotation. Detroit has thus far converted on just 27.5 percent of its three-point attempts in the series, and Holland -- who shot 25.1 percent on 2.6 attempts per game from downtown during the regular season -- can't be counted upon to provide much help in that area.

Reed (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Monday in the Pistons' 94-88 loss to the Magic in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

After seeing action in each of the Pistons' final 20 games of the regular season, Reed has essentially fallen out of the rotation through Detroit's first four playoff contests while head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has leaned almost exclusively on Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart as the team's options at center. Reed has appeared in just two of the four games of the series, making a 45-second cameo in garbage time of a Game 2 win and then logging seven minutes in Game 3, when Duren contended with foul trouble.

The Lakers are optimistic Reaves (oblique) will be available to play Wednesday in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series versus the Rockets, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Reaves had been officially listed as questionable for both of the previous two contests before being ruled out, but the 27-year-old looks like he could have a more realistic chance at being able to suit up in Game 5. According to Charania, Reaves has progressed in his rehab from a Grade 2 left oblique strain over the past 1-to-2 weeks, moving on from taking part in 1-on-1 workouts to being integrated in larger group scrimmages. Given that he hasn't played since April 2 due to the injury, Reaves could have his minutes monitored carefully if he's ultimately given the green light to play Wednesday.

Gobert posted three points (1-2 FG, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in 29 minutes during Monday's 125-113 loss to the Nuggets in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Gobert pulled down seven rebounds, but he attempted only two shots and connected on one in the loss. A low point total isn't uncommon for the veteran, but his shot volume was conspicuously low. He's recorded fewer than three shot attempts just six times this season. Gobert has recorded a double-double during the series, so he has the ability to put the pieces together despite the imposing presence of Nikola Jokic.

Dosunmu closed Monday's 125-113 loss to Denver in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 18 points (7-14 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, four assists and one steal in 38 minutes.

Amid absences from Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles), the Timberwolves have relied heavily on Dosunmu, and his results have often been the difference between victory and defeat. Although he was accurate from the floor, the Nuggets were successful in defending him and curtailing his production. A better result from Dosunmu will be essential in closing out this series.

Randle supplied 27 points (8-15 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 9-11 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and one steal across 32 minutes during Monday's 125-113 loss to Denver in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Randle carried a heavy load in the loss, as below-average totals from the rest of the starting five built up an unrecoverable deficit. Unlike previous games in the series, Minnesota's defense was unable to restrict Nikola Jokic's production to an acceptable level, and the rest of the Nuggets provided balance behind the big man's masterful triple-double. Randle was able to find room on offense and did most of the work inside, while Rudy Gobert was rendered completely ineffective with only three points. The Timberwolves have successfully neutralized the Nuggets in the series, but they will need continued production from Randle and better defensive effort to close out the series on Thursday.

Johnson finished Monday's 125-113 win over Minnesota in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 18 points (8-13 FG, 2-7 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists and three steals over 36 minutes.

Johnson bounced back after tepid single-digit scoring totals in Games 3 and 4 against Minnesota. The trade for Johnson has been a net negative for the Nuggets. Michael Porter's impressive totals this season with the Nets probably generate some buyer's remorse within the organization, but Monday's result was more in line with what was expected from Johnson. Denver has fallen behind in this series due to a lack of production from the supporting cast, and the balanced outcome from Johnson and Spencer Jones produced the desired result.

Jones closed with 20 points (7-9 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist, three blocks and three steals across 37 minutes during Monday's 125-113 victory over Minnesota in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

With Aaron Gordon (calf) out, Jones joined the starting five and recorded his second-highest scoring total of the season during the convincing victory. The Stanford product started in 37 of 64 games this season and has witnessed sharp increases in minutes, points, rebounds and assists during the 2025-26 campaign. Jones has finished with zero points twice during this series, and a return from Gordon in Game 6 could greatly diminish his fantasy prospects.

Murray ended Monday's 125-113 win over Minnesota in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 24 points (9-23 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, seven assists and four steals in 39 minutes.

Although Murray converted only 39.1 percent of his shots, his secondary numbers helped him record a solid fantasy total. Murray's four steals matched a season high, and he recorded seven assists for the third time in the first-round series. A more accurate shooting evening will be needed from Murray to increase the team's chances of advancing.