NBA Player News

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.

Edwards (knee) shot free throws during Saturday's practice but is still considered week-to-week according to head coach Chris Finch, Chris Hine of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Edwards was diagnosed with a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee during the Timberwolves' Game 4 victory over the Nuggets on April 25. There's a chance that the superstar guard could return for the Western Conference Semifinals against the Spurs, though that is unlikely to happen until later in the series. Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) is out for the rest of the playoffs and Ayo Dosunmu (calf) did not play in Game 6 on Thursday, so the Timberwolves will need to turn to the likes of Jaden McDaniels, Terrence Shannon, Bones Hyland and Jaylen Clark to pick up the load against San Antonio.

Tatum is listed as questionable for Saturday's Game 7 against the 76ers due to left knee stiffness, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

Tatum briefly went to the locker room during the second half of Game 6 on Thursday, and while he was cleared to return, his status for Saturday's elimination game is now up in the air. The superstar forward has given the Celtics a huge boost since his return in early March, and across the first six games of the series against the Sixers he has averaged 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 3.2 threes and 1.2 steals over 36.3 minutes per contest. If Tatum is unable to play or is limited by his knee issue, then the Celtics will turn to Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh to pick up the load.

George is listed as probable for Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Celtics on Saturday due to an illness, Derek Bodner of AllPHLY.com reports.

George played a key role in the Sixers' Game 6 win on Thursday, when he logged 23 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block over 40 minutes. Given that Saturday is an elimination game, George will likely try and play through his ailment, though he could be facing a reduced workload if his condition worsens over the course of the day. If that were to be the case, then Justin Edwards and Kelly Oubre would step into larger roles for the Sixers behind the superstar duo of Joel Embiid (abdomen) and Tyrese Maxey.

Sheppard totaled 10 points (4-19 FG, 1-10 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one assist, two blocks and two steals over 36 minutes during Friday's 98-78 loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Sheppard struggled offensively during Friday's loss and reached the double-digit points mark only because of his shooting volume. He finished the series having averaged 12.2 points on just 30.7 percent shooting (including 29.6 percent from three on 9.0 3PA/G) along with 4.7 assists, 1.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 0.8 blocks over 32.2 minutes per contest. Sheppard saw his playing time increase shortly before and during the playoffs, but his role with the Rockets for the 2026-27 season could shrink due to the return of Fred VanVleet (knee).

Thompson accumulated 18 points (7-14 FG, 4-6 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks over 45 minutes during Friday's 98-78 loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Thompson did most of his scoring out of halftime, scoring 10 of his team-high 18 points in the third quarter, but the Rockets were in too much of a deficit to mount a comeback and extend the series to Game 7. The third-year pro finished the series averaging 19.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks over 44.2 minutes per game. Thompson averaged career highs in points, assists and steals during the 2025-26 regular season and should command a sizable extension from the Rockets during the offseason.