NBA PORTAL
Victor Wembanyama Posts Unique Triple-Double
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama opened the second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a triple-double, finishing a 104-102 loss with 11 points, 15 rebounds, and a record-setting 12 blocks. No player in NBA history had recorded as many blocks in a playoff game. Wembanyama became only the third player to register a triple-double with blocks in the postseason. His spectacular defensive effort made up for his offensive shortcomings. Wembanyama missed all eight three-point attempts and finished 5-for-17 overall from the field. In 40 minutes on the floor, Wembanyama also tallied five assists. The French superstar should be determined to improve his offensive output in Game 2.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/victor-wembanyama-posts-unique-triple-double/1855867Cade Cunningham Shines as Pistons Advance to Semifinals
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham finished with 32 points, one rebound, 12 assists, and two blocks in 39 minutes during Sunday's Game 7 win over Orlando, pushing Detroit into the next round. He controlled the offense throughout, pairing efficient scoring with high-level playmaking in a decisive closeout. Cunningham's usage and versatility remain the foundation of Detroit's attack, giving him elite DFS appeal moving forward. Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren also delivered strong supporting lines, but Cleveland's defense will likely key on Cunningham as the primary engine in the next series.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/cade-cunningham-shines-as-pistons-advance-to-semifinals/1855102Ayo Dosunmu Considered Day-to-Day Ahead of Game 1
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (calf) is considered day-to-day ahead of Monday's Game 1 against San Antonio after missing the series-clinching win over Denver. His status is unclear, with Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) also dealing with injuries. If Dosunmu sits, Terrence Shannon Jr. becomes a strong DFS option after posting 24 points, six rebounds, and two steals in 35 minutes, while Mike Conley and Jaden McDaniels should continue seeing increased responsibility. Bones Hyland and Jaylen Clark are in the mix for minutes, though their roles are still uncertain.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/ayo-dosunmu-considered-day-to-day-ahead-of-game-1/1854649Cade Cunningham Carries Pistons to Decisive Game 7
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham recorded 32 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, three assists, and one block in 42 minutes during Friday's Game 6 win over Orlando, forcing a Game 7. He took over after a slow first half, carrying the offense with a dominant second-half surge and steady production at the line. Cunningham has topped 25 points in every game this series, maintaining elite usage. Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson chipped in around him, but Detroit continues to lean on Cunningham to create most of the offense, keeping him firmly in play as a top DFS option.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/cade-cunningham-carries-pistons-to-decisive-game-7/1854235Tyrese Maxey Drops 30 Points to Force Game 7
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey recorded 30 points, five assists, two steals, and three three-pointers in 40 minutes during Thursday's Game 6 win, pushing the series to a deciding Game 7. He bounced back from a cold shooting night in Game 5 with improved efficiency from deep and has now hit at least three triples in five straight outings. Maxey remains the clear offensive engine with high usage. Paul George and Joel Embiid remain steady scoring options alongside him, while Maxey stands out as a strong DFS target in a win-or-go-home Game 7.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/tyrese-maxey-drops-30-to-force-game-7/1853781Paolo Banchero Scores 45 Points in Game 5 Loss
Orlando Magic power forward Paolo Banchero had a special night with 45 points on Wednesday, but he couldn't save his team from a 116-109 Game 5 loss against the Detroit Pistons. Only two players in franchise history -- Shaquille O'Neal and Tracy McGrady -- have been more prolific in a playoff game, sharing the Magic record with 46 points. Banchero did the damage with a 17-for-31 effort from the field. After averaging only one made three-pointer per game across the first four games of the season, Banchero was 6-for-11 from downtown. The 2024 All-Star also led his team with nine rebounds and seven assists, adding two steals. Having this version of Banchero on the court is a huge bonus for Orlando, especially if Franz Wagner's (calf) absence extends beyond a single game.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/paolo-banchero-scores-45-points-in-game-5-loss/1853269Victor Wembanyama Posts Second Straight Double-Double
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama recorded a second consecutive double-double in Tuesday's series-clinching 114-94 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Wembanyama was offensively passive, taking only seven field-goal attempts, but he remained highly influential. In 34 minutes, he tallied 17 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and six blocks. Wembanyama was perfect at the line with six attempts and had a 5-for-7 record from the field, including 1-for-2 from three-point range. Despite missing most of Game 4 due to a concussion, Wembanyama averaged good numbers in his first career playoff series, posting 21.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 4.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/victor-wembanyama-posts-second-straight-double-double/1852791Franz Wagner Scheduled for MRI on Tuesday
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (calf) is set to have an MRI on Tuesday. The German star, who missed 48 games with an ankle sprain during the regular season, suffered another injury blow in Monday's win over the Detroit Pistons, exiting the game due to right calf soreness. Before he was forced to leave, Wagner was enjoying his best performance of the playoffs. He scored 19 points with a 7-for-15 effort from the field, adding five rebounds, three assists, and four steals in 24 minutes. Jamal Cain stands to see increased minutes in the rotation if Wagner misses more time. He was close to a double-double in Monday's win, scoring eight points and grabbing nine rebounds.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/franz-wagner-scheduled-for-mri-on-tuesday/1852130Nikola Jokic Fined $50K for Game 4 Incident
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been fined $50,000 for his involvement in an altercation late in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. Tensions flared between the teams after Jokic took exception to Jaden McDaniels' uncontested layup in the final seconds, by which time the Timberwolves had already clinched an impressive victory and a 3-1 series lead. No suspensions were handed out, despite several players -- including Aaron Gordon, Jonas Valanciunas, Rudy Gobert, and Bones Hyland -- leaving the bench area. Jokic is averaging 25.0 points, 14.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in the series. But he hasn't been quite himself and will look to increase his performance level in Monday's must-win Game 5.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/nikola-jokic-fined-50k-for-game-4-incident/1851510Anthony Edwards Injures Left Knee Saturday
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) didn't play in the second half of Saturday's Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets. He injured his left knee late in the first half, finishing the contest with five points and three rebounds in 18 minutes. The Timberwolves superstar has previously dealt with a right knee issue, sitting out 12 of the last 14 regular-season games. Minnesota also lost Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) on Saturday night, which led to Ayo Dosunmu taking over the offense. Dosunmu scored 43 points in 42 minutes and could have a larger role for the foreseeable future if Edwards misses additional time.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/anthony-edwards-injures-left-knee-saturday/1851001Joel Embiid Remains Doubtful Ahead of Game 4
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (abdomen) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's Game 4 against the Boston Celtics. After his appendectomy earlier this month, Embiid was upgraded to doubtful ahead of Game 3 of the series. He wasn't quite ready to return then and is likely to remain out on Sunday as well. However, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse noted on Saturday that Embiid is participating in on-court work. This indicates he's progressing, and it's not unrealistic to expect the former MVP to return next week. In the meantime, Philadelphia will continue to run with Adem Bona and Andre Drummond at center.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/joel-embiid-remains-doubtful-ahead-of-game-4/1850919CJ McCollum Delivers Clutch Shot in Game 3 Win
Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum finished with 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, two steals, two blocks, and two three-pointers in Thursday's narrow Game 3 win over New York. He struggled to find rhythm after halftime but came through when it mattered, knocking down the go-ahead mid-range jumper in the final seconds. McCollum has now topped 20 points in each game this series, averaging strong scoring with modest peripherals. His steady usage and late-game role make him a reliable DFS option heading into Saturday's Game 4 with Atlanta holding a 2-1 series edge.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/cj-mccollum-delivers-clutch-shot-in-game-3-win/1849950Jalen Williams Aggravates Hamstring Injury
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) is looking at another spell on the sidelines. He appeared to have aggravated a left hamstring injury midway through the third quarter in Wednesday's Game 2 win over Phoenix. The team plans to re-evaluate Williams in the next couple of days before providing an update. Before his early exit, Williams tallied 19 points, one rebound, four assists, and one steal in 23 minutes. The 2025 All-Star has battled injuries throughout the year, making only 33 appearances during the regular season. If Williams misses time, the defending champions have several options to replace him in the first unit, including Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/jalen-williams-aggravates-hamstring-injury/1849356Harrison Barnes Injures Left Wrist in Game 2
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (wrist) exited Tuesday's Game 2 loss to Portland early in the fourth quarter, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports. He was hurt in a collision with Portland's Deni Avdija. Barnes went to the locker room and didn't return to the game, even after coming back to the bench. The 2015 NBA champion finished with four points and one rebound in 15 minutes off the bench. Keldon Johnson and Dylan Harper are likely to see more minutes in the second unit if Barnes has to miss additional time.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/harrison-barnes-injures-left-wrist-in-game-2/1848875Jaylen Brown Leads All Scorers With 36 Points in Game 2
Boston Celtics guard/forward Jaylen Brown put up a game-high 36 points in Tuesday's 111-97 Game 2 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston had a chance to take a 2-0 series lead on home court, but everyone on the team except Brown struggled to score. The 2024 Finals MVP went 11-for-24 from the field, including 5-for-12 from three-point range. He took 12 of the Celtics' 18 free-throw attempts, making nine of them. Brown completed his line with seven rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Tuesday's loss was a setback for the Celtics, but they can still feel confident about advancing to Round 2, with Brown in top form. He has led his team in scoring in both of the first two games of the matchup, averaging 31.0 points.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/jaylen-brown-leads-all-scorers-with-36-points-in-game-2/1848753