NBA Player News

Is Poole beginning to turn things around? As a scorer, he’s put up 19 points or more in four of his last five games. However, the production in other categories has been lacking, hence his being ranked outside the top 200 in 9-cat per-game value over the last two weeks. Poole has been of greater value to points league managers than those looking to win category leagues, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

After a seven-game absence due to a strained left adductor, Huerter returned to action in Wednesday’s Game 5. However, he logged just three minutes in the overtime defeat, even with Duncan Robinson (back) unavailable. It’s unlikely that Huerter’s role will change much in Game 6, especially if Robinson returns.

LeVert has played through a right heel contusion, most recently logging 24 minutes off the bench in Wednesday’s Game 5 defeat. He’ll take on a similar workload in Game 6, with the importance of his role depending on Duncan Robinson’s availability. Robinson sat out Game 5 with a sore lower back.

Robinson’s sore lower back kept him out of Wednesday’s overtime defeat, with the Pistons now facing elimination on Friday. Daniss Jenkins was productive as the replacement in the starting lineup, but his promotion left the Pistons with one less scoring option off the bench. He’ll head back to the bench if Robinson plays.

Giddey missed the final five games of the regular season with a hamstring injury, but it’s his right ankle that’s the reason for the most recent injury update. The Bulls guard underwent the procedure on Wednesday, and the team’s timeline suggests he’ll be good to go when training camp opens in late September. The Bulls are searching for a new head coach after Billy Donovan decided to step down, but this should not negatively affect Giddey’s fantasy outlook for 2026-27.

Duren played 25 minutes, but was -16. The 22-year-old center sat on the bench for most of the fourth quarter and overtime in favor of Paul Reed. Reed had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 17 minutes. The Pistons have stuck with Duren for the entire playoffs up to this point. With Detroit on the brink of elimination, it’s entirely possible Reed draws the start in Game 6 in Cleveland on Friday.

Jenkins moved into the starting lineup with Duncan Robinson (back) out for Game 5. The 24-year-old point guard played 41 minutes and was -9. Jenkins was -28 in 18 minutes in Game 3 of this series as well. It’s unlikely Jenkins would’ve played as much if Robinson was available, but he’ll also need to play better if the Pistons are going to comeback in this series.

Harris had scored at least 20 points in eight consecutive playoff games and the Pistons were 5-3 in those games. His streak came to an end with 16 points in Monday’s loss in Game 4 and points were even tougher to come by for Harris in Game 5. The 33-year-old power forward had just 13 points on 19 attempts from the field. Harris’ off-game came at the wrong time for the Pistons as Duncan Robinson (back) was out, which only heightened the need for more scoring.

The Pistons led by nine with three minutes left in regulation, but blew that lead and lost by four in overtime. Cunningham dropped 39 points in Game 5, but it wasn’t enough as the Pistons fell behind 3-2 in the series. After a Donovan Mitchell three-pointer gave the Cavaliers a five-point lead in overtime, Cunningham committed one of his six turnovers. Max Strus picked his pocket in the backcourt and found Mitchell streaking in for a layup to put the Cavs up by seven, effectively putting the game on ice.

Harden had six turnovers, but was otherwise excellent in leading the Cavaliers to a 3-2 series lead over the Pistons. The 36-year-old point guard had 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Harden was +11 in 43 minutes. The win has put the Cavaliers on the brink of reaching the Eastern Conference finals. They’ll have their first chance to close out the Pistons in Game 6 on Friday.

Huerter hasn’t played since Game 4 of the Pistons’ first-round series against the Magic, but he could be returning at the perfect time. With Duncan Robinson (back) out, the Pistons might need Huerter’s shooting off the bench in a crucial Game 5 at home.