NBA Player News

“Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.” McBride clearly ascribes to that, as he had the best game of his career on Tuesday. He recorded new career-highs in points, 3-pointers, and blocks, giving the Knicks welcome production off the bench. New York’s reserves combined to score 45 points, with Josh Hart (16/9/8/3 with two 3-pointers) and Obi Toppin (11/1/1 with three 3-pointers) also scoring in double figures. McBride isn’t a player to add in the aftermath of this performance, as the Knicks won’t play again until Saturday, and Jalen Brunson (foot) could be back by then.

Robinson suffered a fractured right pinky finger at some point in the days following the Knicks’ Eastern Conference Finals sweep of Cleveland. Still, the center expects to be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The 7-footer was limited to individual work in Sunday’s practice and had something on the injured finger, although Knicks head coach Mike Brown did not reveal what the protection was. The NBA Finals don’t begin until Wednesday, so there is time for Robinson to get in some 5-on-5 action in practice.

In Game 6, J-Dub returned from a left hamstring injury that he aggravated during Game 2 of the series. Initially injured during the first round, he played just 10 minutes and was ruled out for Saturday’s Game 7 loss to the Spurs. However, before the season-ending defeat, Daigneault made it clear that Williams did not suffer a setback during his brief Game 6 appearance. He did not go through the standard return-to-play protocols, and it was clear that Williams was not his usual self. “He didn’t do a full return to play, obviously,” Daigneault said. “We knew he wouldn’t be a full 100 percent. He, or we, didn’t know what that would look like and what he’d be able to do when he got out in the game. The only way to find out was to get him out there.” He should be good to go when training camp opens in late September, and fantasy managers hope that J-Dub will be more available than he was this season. He appeared in just 33 regular-season games, not making his debut until late November after undergoing offseason wrist surgery.

Oklahoma City’s second came to an end on Saturday, as they dropped Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals to the Spurs. And with that, the front office has decisions to make regarding the futures of Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams. Each has a team option for next season, with Dort’s being worth a little over $17.7 million. The defensive stalwart hopes to remain with the lone team that he’s played for since entering the NBA in 2019. “The conversation hasn’t happened yet,” Dort said when asked about his team option. “I have a lot of trust in this organization, in Sam (Presti). Really grateful for all the stuff he did for me to this point. I want to stay here. This organization, this city, shaped me as a player. My main goal is to stay here.” Dort has not been a consistently impactful option for fantasy managers in recent seasons. Still, his future in Oklahoma City could affect the ceilings of Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace and Jared McCain. If the Thunder were to move on from Dort, there would be an opening in the starting lineup to fill.

After shooting 2-of-15 from three in the first six games of the Western Conference Finals, Fox shot 3-of-7 in Game 7. In total, seven Spurs scored in double figures, with the balanced effort being enough to counter Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who put up a game-high 35 points. Fox will now make his first NBA Finals appearance, with the Spurs hosting the Knicks in Game 1 on Wednesday.

Williams shone in Game 7, recording his first double-double of these playoffs. Given the struggles of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein (seven points, five rebounds and one steal), JayWill’s production was one reason why the Thunder had a chance late. Williams has not been a consistent option for fantasy managers during his time in Oklahoma City, but that could change next season. Hartenstein has a team option worth $28.5 million, while new deals for Holmgren and Jalen Williams will begin. The salary cap situation could make JayWill someone whom the Thunder have to rely on more in 2026-27.

Holmgren picked the worst possible time to have one of his worst games of the season. Due to injuries, the Thunder needed more production from the 7-foot-1 forward/center, and he was unable to answer the call. Holmgren attempted just two shots from the field, an inexcusable number given his talent and what was on the line. However, for as disappointing as his Game 7 performance was, Holmgren will remain a highly regarded player in fantasy basketball. He finished this regular season as a second-round player, and that should be the case in 2026-27.

Making his second start of the Western Conference Finals, Wallace stepped up with his best performance of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The Thunder guard shot 5-of-9 from beyond the arc and recorded a complete stat line. On a night when three other starters failed to score in double figures, Wallace was one of Oklahoma City’s most capable options in Game 7. Due to the team’s depth, his fantasy ceiling has been somewhat limited, but Wallace has been a solid option in category leagues. He’ll be extension eligible this summer, and a larger role could be in the cards for 2026-27, especially considering Luguentz Dort’s struggles.

With no Jalen Williams or Ajay Mitchell, Gilgeous-Alexander was once again in a position where he needed to put the Thunder on his back. The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player was outstanding in Game 7, but the Spurs received more contributions across the board, and that was the difference. Gilgeous-Alexander was one of the best players in fantasy basketball this season, regardless of position, and that shouldn’t change anytime soon. Regardless of league format, SGA should go no lower than third overall in fantasy drafts next fall.

Turnovers were an issue for Castle in Game 7, as he was responsible for six, but the second-year guard managed to contribute in other ways. In addition to shooting the ball well, Castle was active on the glass and took most of the hits in guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. One would assume that he’ll be given the task of defending New York’s Jalen Brunson in the NBA Finals, which begin on Wednesday in San Antonio.

Champagnie came through with his second 20-point game of the Western Conference Finals, helping the Spurs clinch their first NBA Finals trip in 12 years. Shooting 6-of-10 from beyond the arc, the Spurs’ forward knocked down key shots at key times, including one triple that extended San Antonio’s lead to 11 with 5:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. Champagnie and the Spurs will host the Knicks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday.