NBA Player News

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Monday on NBA Today that Embiid (abdomen) isn't expected to be available for the Play-In Tournament.

This isn't an unexpected update from the Sixers after Embiid underwent a successful appendectomy on Thursday. Charania notes that Embiid is in the early stages of his recovery from surgery, which will need to be followed up with a separate physical rehab before he's cleared for game action. Philly is scheduled to face Orlando on Wednesday and would play again Friday only if it fails to defeat the Magic. Adem Bona and Andre Drummond will be asked to hold down the fort at center until Embiid returns.

Smith (foot) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Hornets.

Smith hasn't seen game action since April 4 and will be inactive to open the postseason due to right foot soreness. The guard saw his role in the rotation diminish down the stretch of the regular season, and his absence shouldn't have much impact on the Heat rotation in Tuesday's contest.

Jovic (ankle) is out for Tuesday's Play-In Game against the Hornets.

Jovic was sidelined for Miami's last four games of the regular season due to a left ankle sprain, and his absence will extend at least one additional matchup. If the Heat are able to fend off the Hornets on Tuesday, Jovic would have a chance to return for Friday's game, which will determine the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Fontecchio (ankle) is available for Tuesday's Play-In Tournament matchup against the Hornets.

After sitting out Sunday's regular-season finale due to left ankle soreness, Fontecchio is ready to suit back up Tuesday. Unless Pelle Larsson (leg) winds up being unavailable, Fontecchio might not see a meaningful role in the frontcourt.

Larsson is questionable for Tuesday's Play-In Tournament matchup against the Hornets with a left lower-leg contusion.

The swingman missed Sunday's regular-season finale with the issue, and the Heat are likely to see how Larsson is feeling closer to Tuesday's tipoff before updating his status. If Larsson is ultimately downgraded to out Tuesday, Jaime Jaquez would be asked to step up and likely see more playing time.

McCullar finished with 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt), two rebounds, two steals and one assist across 25 minutes during Sunday's 110-96 loss to the Hornets.

McCullar dealt with a quadriceps injury in late March that kept him from playing at the tail end of the G League season, but the two-way player has been healthy for the past couple of weeks. With the Knicks holding out seven players for Sunday's game and with Mikal Bridges playing less than a minute before checking out of the game for good, McCullar got the chance to see some extended run at the NBA level. Due to his terms of his two-way contract, McCullar won't be eligible to suit up for the Knicks during the postseason. He finished the regular season with averages of 2.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 7.4 minutes per game across 21 appearances.

Johnson ended Sunday's 149-128 win over the Bulls with 20 points (6-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 8-9 FT), one rebound and one assist in 25 minutes.

The second-year guard came over from Washington as part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis (finger) to the Wizards, but Johnson still struggled for regular action at the NBA level with Dallas. Johnson averaged 3.9 points, 1.1 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per tilt through 23 games for the Mavericks this season. All signs point toward Dallas exercising Johnson's team option for 2026-27, and perhaps he'll have a clearer path to minutes if the Mavs don't re-sign Khris Middleton.

Thompson amassed 12 points (4-10 FG, 4-9 3Pt), one assist and one steal across 10 minutes during Sunday's 149-128 victory over the Bulls.

Thompson produced a career-worst campaign in 2025-26, drawing a career-low eight starts. The veteran sharpshooter averaged a career-low 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.9 three-pointers in 21.7 minutes per tilt through 69 games this season, shooting 38.3 percent from deep. Thompson is set for his third season with Dallas in 2026-27, barring a trade or contract buyout.

Middleton closed Sunday's 149-128 victory over the Bulls with eight points (2-3 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound and one assist across six minutes.

Middleton logged just six minutes with the Mavericks, pulling most of their starters early. Since his trade from Washington, Middleton made 29 appearances for the Mavericks with averages of 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 three-pointers in 21.1 minutes per contest. The veteran will now hit the open market as a free agent.

Christie racked up 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 0-1 FT), one rebound, one assist and two blocks across 13 minutes during Sunday's 149-128 victory over the Bulls.

The Mavericks pulled the plug early in this contest with their key players and still walked away with the win. Christie played a key role for the Mavericks in 2025-26, posting averages of 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.3 three-pointers in 29.1 minutes across 74 regular-season appearances.