NBA Player News

Tate won't start Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

Tate got the starting nod in Houston's regular-season finale with multiple key contributors out, though he will slide to the second unit Saturday. However, he could still see meaningful playing time due to Kevin Durant (knee) being sidelined.

Capela will come off the bench for Saturday's Game 1 matchup with the Lakers, Rockets' radio voice Matt Thomas reports.

Capela started in Houston's final regular-season game with Alperen Sengun resting, but Sengun is back and starting, which will shift Capela to a reserve role. As a member of the second unit this season, Capela has averaged 3.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Eason will come off the bench for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers, according to Rockets reporter Matt Thomas.

After starting the regular season finale with multiple starters sitting out, Eason is back with the second unit. He may see additional minutes, however, as Kevin Durant (knee) is out for Game 1.

Shead totaled 17 points (6-11 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 0-1 FT), one rebound and two assists over 28 minutes during Saturday's 126-113 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Getting the start to open the playoffs with Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) unavailable, Shead was locked in from long distance, and his five made three-pointers were more than he's produced in any regular-season game during his career to date. The 17 points also represented the second-year guard's best offensive output since Jan. 11, when he dropped 22 points on the Sixers. With Quickley's status uncertain for Game 2 on Monday, Shead could be in line for a significant role in the Raptors' backcourt once again.

Gobert accumulated 17 points (8-9 FG, 1-5 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal over 38 minutes during Saturday's 116-105 loss to the Nuggets in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

While Nikola Jokic still recorded a triple-double, Gobert did a decent job containing Denver's star and protecting the paint. He also contributed on the glass with three offensive rebounds and was highly efficient, missing just one shot across his 38 minutes.

Durant (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Durant bumped knees with a teammate in practice and won't suit up Saturday due to a right knee contusion. With the superstar sidelined, Tari Eason and Josh Okogie are candidates for expanded roles, while Jae'Sean Tate and Dorian Finney-Smith could see increased run. Durant's next chance to play will come in Game 2 in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

McDaniels had 16 points (6-14 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds and three assists across 33 minutes during Saturday's 116-105 loss to the Nuggets in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

McDaniels was Minnesota's leading scorer through the first three quarters of play, but the Nuggets completely shut him down in crunch time, holding the sixth-year forward to zero points with just one shot attempt in the final frame. He missed all four of his three-point attempts and finished with a team-worst minus-17 differential in the loss.

Edwards logged 22 points (7-19 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 6-7 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and three blocks over 38 minutes during Saturday's 116-105 loss to the Nuggets in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Edwards was everywhere on defense, matching his postseason career high in swats by halftime, and he did a good job of making things difficult for Jamal Murray. Edwards showed nice explosion off the dribble, and logged a team-high 38 minutes in the defeat, so his knee didn't seem to give him too much trouble.

Gordon posted 17 points (5-10 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT), eight rebounds and three assists over 29 minutes during Saturday's 116-105 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Gordon did an excellent job of containing Julius Randle, holding Minnesota's star power forward to just 16 points on 7-for-16 shooting. Gordon was shoved by Randle late in the match and landed hard on his rear, but despite some grimacing, he played through it and finished the game. Gordon should be fine for Game 2 on Monday.

Barnes notched 21 points (6-14 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 6-9 FT), one rebound and seven assists across 32 minutes during Saturday's 126-113 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The fifth-year forward delivered a solid performance to open the Raptors' playoff run, but Barnes wasn't able to match the output of Donovan Mitchell (32 points) for the Cavaliers. Barnes may need to find another gear on offense if Toronto is going to avoid an early exit. He's scored 20-plus points only twice in eight April contests, averaging just 15.8 points, 6.9 assists, 5.4 boards, 1.1 steals and 0.9 threes on the month.