NBA Player News

George (illness) will play in Saturday's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Celtics, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.

George was a late addition to the injury report due to an illness, though he'll give it a go in this win-or-go-home matchup. Through six first-round outings, the star forward has averaged 18.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 36.3 minutes per contest.

Tatum (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's Game 7 against the 76ers, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

It's a big blow for the Celtics, who are facing elimination after being up 3-1 in the series. Tatum appeared to sustain the injury during Game 6 on Thursday, and the issue is severe enough for the superstar forward to miss Saturday's contest. As he did for most of the regular season, Jaylen Brown will be the Celtics' top offensive option, and the Celtics will turn to Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman and others to take on larger roles on both ends of the floor without Tatum.

Vanderbilt (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Friday in the Lakers' 98-78 win over the Rockets in Game 6 of the first-round playoff series.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick utilized an eight-man rotation while Friday's contest was still competitive, and Vanderbilt ended up losing hold of his spot on the second unit while Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia and Jaxson Hayes operated as the team's main reserves. The Lakers could eventually get Luka Doncic (hamstring) back at some point during their Western Conference Semifinals series versus the Thunder, and Vanderbilt will face an even tougher path to regaining playing time once Los Angeles is at full strength. Before failing to get off the bench Friday, Vanderbilt had appeared in 11 straight games dating back to the regular season and averaged 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 14.3 minutes.

Ingram (heel) is questionable for Sunday's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against Cleveland, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Ingram logged only 11 minutes in Game 5 and wasn't able to suit up for Game 6. He was spotted wearing a walking boot Friday, which isn't an encouraging sign regarding his availability for the must-win contest. If Ingram remains sidelined Sunday, Jamal Shead is expected to remain in the starting lineup.

Eason contributed 14 points (5-14 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals across 37 minutes during Friday's 98-78 loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Eason had trouble finding the bottom of the net in Game 6, although, to be fair, it was a common theme for the other members of the starting lineup as well. With Houston eliminated from postseason play, the 24-year-old will now turn his attention toward restricted free agency. Eason averaged 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 blocks and 1.2 steals across 25.8 minutes per game during the 2025-26 campaign over 60 regular-season games. With 139 appearances combined in the last three regular seasons, Eason will need to prove he can stay healthy. While the 2022 No. 17 overall pick should continue to hold a stable role in the rotation with the Rockets, assuming he re-signs, the lack of consistency is something fantasy managers will need to consider moving ahead.

Smith totaled nine points (3-11 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and one block in 42 minutes during Friday's 98-78 loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Smith finished with 22 points in Game 5. However, the 22-year-old had trouble getting anything going Friday night and was unable to help his team force a Game 7. Overall, Smith had a productive regular season, averaging a career-best 15.8 points with 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.7 steals while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from deep across 35.1 minutes per contest. He also appeared in 77 games, his second-highest mark since entering the league in 2022. Smith, who agreed to a five-year, $122 million extension in Oct. 2025, will likely continue to hold a stable role as a starter for the Rockets moving ahead. Although he isn't the most consistent offensively, his durability and defensive prowess should continue to benefit the team during the 2026-27 campaign and beyond, assuming he remains on the roster.

Isaac (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against Detroit.

Isaac has appeared in only one game in the last two months, so the doubtful designation is hardly a surprise. If the 28-year-old manages to return for Sunday's contest, he may not see any action. If anything, Isaac might only be used sporadically throughout the contest for situational purposes.

Huerter (adductor) is listed as questionable for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against Orlando.

Huerter played sporadically during the first four contests of this series before being ruled out altogether for Games 5 and 6. If Huerter misses a third consecutive game, Daniss Jenkins and Javonte Green could see additional action, although head coach J.B. Bickerstaff might continue to rely on the starters to absorb most of the minutes.

Wagner (calf) has been ruled out for Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs Sunday against the Pistons, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Wagner will end up missing the final three games of the series while tending to a right calf strain. Even if the Magic were to emerge victorious and move onto the semifinals, there's no guarantee that Wagner would be available for the start of that series. Anthony Black and Jamal Cain will continue to work in extended roles in Wagner's absence.

Head coach Chris Finch told reporters Saturday that Dosunmu is considered "day-to-day" due to his right calf injury, Jace Frederick of St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Dosunmu's calf injury prevented him from playing in the Timberwolves' Game 6 victory against the Nuggets on Thursday. Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Spurs kicks off Monday, and Dosunmu could join Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) and Anthony Edwards (knee) on the sidelines for that contest. If Dosunmu is not cleared to play, then Terrence Shannon, Bones Hyland and Jaylen Clark would be in line for expanded roles alongside Mike Conley and Jaden McDaniels.