Player Notes

  • Comes close to double-double
    Washington chipped in 16 points (5-10 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds and two assists across 40 minutes during Sunday's 116-107 win over the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Washington finished just two rebounds shy of a double-double, meaning he's now gone four playoff contests without reaching that feat, but he's been remarkably consistent as a scoring alternative. Despite not being anything more than Dallas' third-best scoring option -- on his best games -- it's worth noting Washington has scored in double digits in all but one of his last 10 appearances, a span in which he's averaged 15.9 points per game while shooting 41.3 from beyond the arc. Rotowire.com Monday, 7:55 am
  • Efficient in Game 3 defeat
    McDaniels contributed 15 points (6-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt), one rebound and one steal over 32 minutes during Sunday's 116-107 loss to Dallas in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: McDaniels hasn't been getting enough offensive touches compared to how good he's been in the series, as the Timberwolves continue to rely on the struggling duo of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. At the same time, McDaniels has scored 15 or more points in two of three games in the series. He's shooting 55.2 percent from the field in the three losses against Dallas, and it wouldn't be shocking if he gets more touches on offense in Game 4 on Tuesday. Rotowire.com Monday, 7:50 am
  • Kristaps Porzingis (calf) out for Game 4 Monday
    Kristaps Porzingis (right soleus strain) is out for Monday’s game against the Pacers.

    Advice: While it was reported before the series that Porzingis could return as soon as Game 4, he will not be available on Monday. The combination of Boston leading the series 3-0 and Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton dealing with a hamstring injury likely bought Porzingis added time to recover. The NBA Finals will not start until June 6, so the Celtics taking care of business on Monday would buy KP additional time to get healthy. Al Horford will remain in the starting lineup. Rotoworld Sunday, 3:01 pm
  • Makes seven threes in Game 3 win
    Horford closed with 23 points (8-14 FG, 7-12 3Pt), five rebounds, three blocks and one steal in 35 minutes during Saturday's 114-111 win over Indiana in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: The Pacers allowed Horford to shoot the ball freely from three-point range, and the veteran big made them pay with a career high in threes made in the postseason. Horford is going through his best stretch of form in the current playoffs, scoring 15 or more points in three of his last four appearances while shooting 48 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three in that span. Rotowire.com Sunday, 9:35 am
  • Ben Sheppard fails to score in spot start Saturday
    Ben Sheppard missed all four of his shot attempts in Saturday’s Game 3 loss to the Celtics, going scoreless with three rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 26 minutes.

    Advice: Sheppard was tabbed to fill the void left by Tyrese Haliburton, who sat with a left hamstring injury. The rookie guard didn’t provide much value in Game 3, as he was 0-of-3 from deep and failed to score. Sheppard might remain in the starting lineup for Monday’s Game 4, depending on what happens with Haliburton. If the Pacers are to extend a series they now trail 3-0, they will need more production from Sheppard. Rotoworld Saturday, 9:07 pm
  • Misses game-winning shot
    Reid logged 23 points (8-13 FG, 7-9 3Pt), two rebounds, one block and two steals over 32 minutes during Friday's 109-108 loss to Dallas in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Reid had a chance to win it for the Timberwolves with the final shot of the fourth quarter, but his three-pointer bounced off the inside of the rim. The big man delivered an impressive performance and was Minnesota's offensive catalyst in a game during which the team's two biggest stars, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, delivered subpar scoring performances. Reid has scored in double digits in five of his last six postseason appearances. Rotowire.com Saturday, 4:56 pm
    Naz ReidMIN - PF,C
  • Lonzo Ball (knee) plans to play in season opener
    Lonzo Ball (left knee surgery) said on his podcast that he plans to play in Chicago’s season opener in October.

    Advice: Ball hasn’t played in over two years, but as of now, he is planning to play this upcoming season. That is a long way away, so a lot could change over the next five months, but he appears to be optimistic. He also explained on his podcast that he had to get a new meniscus from a donor as part of his recovery, which is concerning for his long-term health. Hopefully there will be more updates in the coming months that will paint a clearer picture of what his potential availability could look like to start next season. Rotoworld Friday, 12:53 pm
    Lonzo BallCHI - PG
  • Xavier Tillman (personal) active Thursday
    Xavier Tillman (personal reasons) is listed as active for Thursday’s Game 2 matchup between the Celtics and Pacers.

    Advice: Tillman wasn’t with his team for Game 1 because of personal reasons but will be available on Thursday. The reserve big man might give Boston some spot minutes off the pine but isn’t expected to play a significant role. Rotoworld Thursday, 10:04 am
  • Nikola Jokic headlines All-NBA First Team quintet
    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic were named First-Team All-NBA on Wednesday.

    Advice: The All-NBA first team offered no surprises, including the top four vote-getters for Most Valuable Player. Jokic, who won his third MVP in four seasons, led the way, with Gilgeous-Alexander, Doncic, and Tatum next. Rounding out the squad was Antetokounmpo, named All-NBA for the eighth time in his career. SGA earned All-NBA first-team honors for the second straight season. He and Jokic were the only unanimous selections. Rotoworld Wednesday, 4:56 pm