NBA Player News

Eason has averaged 6.8 points, 5.2 boards and 1.2 blocks across 18.6 minutes over his last five games. If he’s unavailable, Jeff Green and Jae’Sean would be candidates for extra minutes. Landale has averaged fewer than nine minutes per game this season, so his availability isn’t of note.

Fox is back after missing the first two games of the series with an ankle injury. Dylan Harper, who had 24 points in the Spurs’ Game 1 victory, will head back to the bench. There were no other changes to the Spurs’ lineup for Game 3.

Mitchell is moving into the starting lineup with Jalen Williams (hamstring) sidelined for Game 3. The 23-year-old shooting guard had 10 points in 28 minutes off the bench in the Thunder’s win over the Spurs in Game 2. Hartenstein, Isaiah Joe and Jaren McCain could also see increased minutes with Williams out.

Williams is set to miss Game 3 after leaving Wednesday’s Game 2 after playing just seven minutes due to a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old forward suffered the initial injury in the first round series against the Suns. In Williams’ absence, Jared McCain, Isaiah Joe and Isaiah Hartenstein all saw increased roles and that should be the case again in Game 3.

Harper started the first two games of the series with De’Aaron Fox (ankle) sidelined, but left Game 2 after 25 minutes with a sore right adductor. With both point guards cleared for Friday’s Game 3, we could see the veteran Fox return to the starting lineup while Harper returns to the bench.

Fox missed the first two games of the series with an ankle injury, though he was initially listed as probable for Game 1 of the series. Dylan Harper had a monster Game 1 in Fox’ absence, which helped the Spurs split the first two games in Oklahoma City. Fox is set to return to the starting lineup as the series shifts to San Antonio for Game 3 on Friday.

Harper had a monster Game 1 but was forced out of Game 2 after only 25 minutes with what was believed to be a right leg injury. An MRI revealed a right adductor injury, and there’s a chance Harper is forced to sit out Game 3. De’Aaron Fox (ankle) is also questionable, and San Antonio’s backcourt could be shorthanded in a pivotal home showdown. Keldon Johnson and Jordan McLaughlin could be in line for expanded roles, with Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell doing some heavy lifting.

After a pedestrian 10-point, seven-rebound effort in Game 1, Allen recorded his first double-double since Game 5 of the Detroit series on Thursday. He was also reasonably productive as a defender, recording three defensive contributions. However, Cleveland’s inability to knock down shots eliminated their chances of winning, especially as the Knicks went on an 18-0 run in the third quarter. Allen and the Cavaliers will look to rebound when they host Game 3 on Saturday.

Overall, Mobley was effective when he got the ball in Game 2. His lack of touches in the second half was a major issue for the Cavaliers. Somehow, Mobley did not attempt a shot after halftime, which cannot happen, even with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden on the floor. If there’s any player in the Cavaliers’ starting lineup capable of being a game-changer, it may be Mobley, especially with the Knicks playing one big at most times. But that can’t happen if he isn’t getting the ball. The Cavaliers will look to cut their series deficit in half with a win in Game 3 on Saturday.

After racking up six turnovers and getting torched defensively by Jalen Brunson in Game 1, Harden recorded a better stat line on Thursday. While the field-goal percentage remained low, The Beard did not commit a turnover in 32 minutes. However, he had just two assists, a byproduct of the Cavaliers’ shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 9-of-35 from three. The Cavaliers will hope that Harden can find his groove in Game 3 on Saturday, as they sit in a 0-2 hole.