NBA Player News

While Butler finished Game 4 with a solid stat line, it wasn’t enough to keep the Heat from falling into a 3-1 hole. He’s been able to take on a heavy workload, but the “Playoff Jimmy” performances haven’t been there since Butler sprained his ankle during the second-round series against the Knicks. With Gabe Vincent and Max Strus combining to score two points on 1-of-10 shooting before being benched, the Heat needed even more from stars Butler and Bam Adebayo. Look for Butler to go for broke in Game 5 on Monday, but it may not matter due to the difference in firepower.

This will be a 10th straight absence for Highsmith, but with the Suns’ starters all healthy, this won’t alter Phoenix’s rotation.

DeRozan missed a game with the same hamstring issue about a week before this, and there is a chance he misses another. Daeqwon Plowden started that game in his stead and would likely occupy that role again if DeRozan is unavailable.

Williams continues to manage a hamstring injury, going in and out of the Thunder lineup down the stretch of the regular season. Williams has dealt with injuries throughout the year, and it appears as though OKC is being strategic with his workload as the playoffs approach.

Nnaji will be back following a two-game absence. However, with the rest of the rotation healthy, he will only play a small role, if he sees the floor at all.

Brown will be available after initially being listed as probable for this game. He exited early on Saturday, but that won’t keep him sidelined for this one. He’ll play his typical reserve role, which has been too limited for him to make much of a fantasy impact.

Smart’s absence on Tuesday will mark his eighth straight. With injuries to Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and now Smart, the Lakers’ backcourt depth is being tested. Luke Kennard and Jake LaRavia could start and see extended minutes, yet again.

The Lakers are already without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, so playing without LeBron will severely reduce their chances of winning. If LeBron is out, Nick Smith Jr., Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt are all candidates to start in his place.

Williamson, who is on a 10-day contract, will get the first start of his career. Coward, Jackson and Spencer will be back in the starting unit after missing Sunday’s game. Walter Clayton Jr. and Toby Okani will be pushed back to the bench, while Taylor Hendricks and Rayan Rupert, who started on Sunday, will be sidelined for this game.

Embiid (oblique, illness) is off the injury report and will return to the starting lineup for Monday’s contest against the Spurs. He’ll likely match up with superstar center Victor Wembanyama, as the Sixers compete for wins in hopes of avoiding the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Ellis is the only starter that also started on Sunday against the Pacers. Merrill, Mobley and Allen were all sidelined for that game, so they’ll be occupying their usual starting spots. James Harden (personal), Donovan Mitchell (ankle) and Max Strus (foot) are out for this game, with Schröder entering the starting unit.