NBA Player News

OPJ never appeared in a game for Utah, so this move has no impact on fantasy hoops. It’s unlikely Porter Jr. takes the court again this season.

Vando dislocated the pinky finger on his right hand after smashing it on the backboard in Game 1 on Tuesday, and he left the game early. Apparently, there’s a chance he’ll be able to play through the injury. Just don’t count on him being able to hold a cup of tea with proper etiquette anytime soon.

Dosunmu was unavailable for Game 6 of the first round and Game 1 of the semifinals, but he’ll be back in action following a two-game absence. The electric scorer will offer microwave offense for Minnesota as the Wolves look to build a two-game lead on the Spurs before heading back home to Target Center.

Embiid was given a probable tag on Tuesday with an ankle sprain, but he’s also dealing with right hip soreness, and the two injuries will keep him out for at least one contest. The 76ers got blown out by the Knicks in Game 1 with Embiid on the court, and the team will have an even more daunting task on Wednesday with the star big man on the sideline. Andre Drummond and Adem Bona will fill in at center, while Tyrese Maxey and Paul George will have to shoulder the load as scorers.

Hachimura led the Lakers in minutes in Tuesday’s loss. He finished as a team-worst minus-21 in his 37 minutes, but was their best shot-maker on the evening, not named LeBron James. He tied a team-high in three-pointers and nearly reached the 20-point mark, as well, but didn’t make much noise beyond his scoring. He’ll want to figure out how to have more of a positive impact in Game 2.

Reaves really had a tough time generating points on Tuesday. Without a three-point make and through poor shooting inside the arc, he logged his first single-digit scoring performance of the season. The fifth-year pro also struggled with turnovers, but his six assists helped to somewhat overshadow the giveaways. Especially with Luka Dončić still sidelined, the Lakers will need Reaves to play at a much higher level in Game 2 and moving forward against the NBA’s defending champions.

James logged 36 minutes on Tuesday and was by far the most productive Laker to take the floor. He only missed five total shots on the night, showcasing his touch both inside and outside the arc, while also making his usual contributions as a facilitator. The accomplished veteran didn’t get much help from his teammates on the offensive end, something that would greatly benefit the Lakers on Thursday. Whether the others get going offensively or not, James will more than likely need to put forth another strong performance in Game 2.

Mitchell continues to play well as a starter in place of the injured Jalen Williams. He scored in double figures for a fourth straight game before finishing as one of the Thunder’s top scorers on the evening. Mitchell was also a willing facilitator in the victory, which helped him finish among OKC’s most impactful players by plus-minus. He’ll likely remain in the starting unit for as long as Williams is sidelined, allowing him more opportunities to log strong performances.

Holgren was OKC’s standout performer on both ends of the floor in Game 1. Offensively, he shot the ball well overall and drained both of his three-point attempts, while doing a decent job on the offensive glass. Additionally, he led all players in blocks for the game and added a steal to further highlight his defensive dominance on Tuesday. Holmgren provided plenty of issues for Los Angeles and will have a chance to do so again in Game 2 on Thursday.

It was a relatively quiet night for the reigning Finals MVP, who did not reach the 20-point mark on Tuesday. He also failed to convert a three-pointer in the win, and his unspectacular night was underscored by a seven-turnover performance. SGA never truly found a rhythm on the offensive end, but still finished as OKC’s leader in assists on the evening. He’ll have another crack at this Lakers defense on Thursday when the Thunder try to take a 2-0 series lead.

Vanderbilt was ruled out after injuring his finger during the first half in Game 1 vs. OKC. He had logged just six minutes off the bench, tallying two points and one rebound. Jake LaRavia could potentially see more minutes while Vanderbilt is unavailable.