NBA Player News

Robinson didn’t play against the 76ers despite being active, so his status for Friday doesn’t guarantee that he’ll be in the rotation. The sharpshooter has a better chance of touching the court with Jimmy Butler out, but whether he’ll impact the game is up in the air.

Needing a spark after falling behind by a 33-11 margin, 76ers coach Nick Nurse called on Hield for the first time since Game 3. Give the veteran sharpshooter credit for staying ready, as he came out hot and finished with 20 points off the bench after scoring two in Games 1 through 3. Nicolas Batum also had a good night off the bench, accounting for 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one block, and three 3-pointers in 28 minutes. Hield and Batum are in a similar spot heading into the offseason, as they will be unrestricted free agents. The former offers a higher fantasy ceiling, but that would likely require him to land a starting role with a non-contender. As for Batum, he’ll spark interest among playoff-caliber teams needing a 3-and-D wing.

After performing well in the 76ers’ Game 5 overtime victory, Harris was brutal in Game 6. He only attempted two shots, finishing with a team-worst minus-10 rating. Harris will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and his nearly $46 million coming off the books gives Philadelphia room to strengthen the roster around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey (who’s a restricted free agent). While Harris can offer top-60 fantasy value, he falls in a place where managers tend to reach for players with higher upsides. His ceiling next season will depend on where he lands; joining a non-contender where he can be a marquee option would boost his value.

After scoring 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting in the series’ first two games, Oubre was solid on both ends of the floor for the 76ers. He scored 14 or more in the final four games while accounting for six steals and three blocked shots. Oubre will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and his production in this series should have preserved his stock. As for his fantasy value, the Tsunami Papi is likely to be a late-round option, at best, unless he lands in a spot where he’s guaranteed a place in the starting lineup.

After going off for 46 points in Philadelphia’s Game 5 victory, Maxey had a tough night as the 76ers’ season ended on Thursday. He made some big plays down the stretch, but the slow start was one reason the Knicks led by as much as 22 points in the first quarter. A subpar Game 6 should not put too much of a damper on Maxey’s season, as he stepped up to become the emerging star Philadelphia believed it had when they finally traded James Harden. However, the point guard will be a restricted free agent this summer, and as Fat Joe famously said, “yesterday’s price is not today’s price.” Philadelphia should re-sign Maxey, but it will cost them more money than it would have if they’d extended his deal before the season began.

While Embiid’s production tailed off during the fourth quarter, last season’s MVP was a warrior in this series. He played through a left knee that did not look fully healed, and a case of Bell’s palsy didn’t help matters, either. Health has been the story throughout Embiid’s career, with availability being the most significant issue. The productivity will be there, so The Process will remain an early first-round pick in most fantasy drafts in the fall. However, the emergence of Victor Wembanyama knocks Embiid down a peg to where he may no longer be a lock to come off the board within the first five picks.

All five Knicks starters scored in double figures in Game 6, with Anunoby being one of four to log at least 44 minutes. He was impactful on both ends of the floor as New York closed out Philadelphia, and OG scored 16 points or more in each of the final four games of the series. The second round brings a matchup with Indiana, and Anunoby will be asked to defend former Raptors teammate Pascal Siakam. Game 1 is on Monday at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks are headed to the second round, the first time since 2000 that they’ve won a series in two consecutive postseasons. Hart was one of the reasons, as he hit a crucial 3-pointer with 25.1 seconds remaining to give the Knicks the lead for good. From that point onward, the Knicks hit four straight free throws, an issue in their Game 5 collapse, to lock up the series. Hart was one of four Knicks starters to log at least 44 minutes, so the second-round series against the Pacers not starting until Monday is a big deal.

Having struggled for most of the series, DiVincenzo saved his best for last as the Knicks advanced to the second round in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2000. He hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter, and the 23 points were one more than the Big Ragu’s total in Games 3 through 5. Miles McBride, who took some of DiVincenzo’s minutes during that three-game dry spell, only played nine minutes in Game 6 and finished with three points (1-of-4 3-pointers). The Knicks advance to take on the Pacers, with Game 1 set for Monday night in New York.

After a crushing home loss in Game 5, Brunson and the Knicks showed impressive mental fortitude to end the series in six games. The All-Star point guard became the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1973 to have three games with at least 35 points and 10 assists. He’s also the first player to score at least 37 in four straight playoff games since Michael Jordan in 1993. Due to their ending the series on Thursday instead of needing a seventh game on Saturday, the Knicks will get valuable time off before their second-round series against the Pacers. Game 1 is on Monday in New York.

Haliburton only surpassed the 20-point mark once in six games, but the Pacers received enough production throughout the roster to eliminate the shorthanded Bucks in six games. The All-Star point guard hit double figures in assists for the third time in the series, with the Pacers winning all three of those games. Regardless of when the New York/Philadelphia series ends, Indiana won’t play again until Monday night, giving Haliburton and his teammates extra time off.