NBA Player News

Due to Zion Williamson (hamstring) sitting, Murphy was back in the starting lineup for Friday’s “winner-take-all” matchup with the Kings. He was productive, with the turnover count (four) being the most significant issue. During the regular season, Murphy averaged 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 3.3 3-pointers per game in 23 starts. At a minimum, the Pelicans will need similar production in their first-round series against the Thunder, which will begin on Sunday.

So far, the Thunder have used the same starting five for the entire postseason despite changing things up regularly throughout the regular season. However, Wallace will replace Isaiah Hartenstein in the starting unit to give OKC another strong perimeter defender and to match up better with Indiana’s frontcourt. Expect Hartenstein to still play a significant role off the bench.

Bradley and Thomas Bryant have taken turns filling out the backup center minutes in the postseason, and with Bradley available for Game 1 of the Finals, he could see a few minutes off the bench. However, he has only reached 10 minutes twice during Indiana’s playoff run. His presence won’t have a significant impact on the game.

Gambadoro described Beal as “untradable” and relayed that the Suns could be stuck with the 31-year-old shooting guard if he doesn’t accept a buyout this offseason. Phoenix is a team in transition with another new coach and Kevin Durant seemingly on the move. Gambadoro also reported that the Suns haven’t had any discussions about trading Durant recently, contradicting a recent report in the Athletic.

Bradley suffered a strained left hip flexor during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. While he was made available for Game 6 on Saturday, the Pacers’ backup center did not see any time, with Rick Carlisle deciding to go with Thomas Bryant as Myles Turner’s backup instead. Even if Bradley is available for Thursday’s series opener in Oklahoma City, that does not guarantee he’ll get on the court.

While Williamson has shown flashes of the talent many expected him to be when selected first overall in the 2019 draft, there have been availability concerns. He’s surpassed 60 games twice in six seasons in New Orleans, most recently making 30 appearances in 2024-25. Add in the off-court concerns, including Williamson being named in a recent lawsuit accusing him of rape and years of abuse, and it’s fair to question his place within the Pelicans’ hierarchy. Based on his recent comments, Dumars does not appear to share those concerns. “I’ve had really good conversations with Zion,” Dumars said. “We’ve had lunch. Dinner. Watched playoff games together. We’ve done it all. I’ve had some real honest conversations with him. Some real direct and honest conversations. We’re going to go forward with Zion. He’s going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward.”

Ott will replace Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after just one season in Phoenix. Five of the Suns’ last six head coaches have been one-and-dones, and Ott will look to buck that trend with a successful inaugural campaign. He has experience with the Hawks, Nets, Lakers and most recently the Cavs. According to Shams, Ott got the stamp of approval from Devin Booker, who was actively engaged in the coaching search.

One year after signing a three-year extension, Thibodeau is out as head coach of the Knicks. New York had back-to-back 50-win seasons and made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years under Thibodeau, but the team is looking for a new voice to help the organization get over the hump after five years with coach Thibs. The Knicks’ pursuit of a championship for the first time since 1973 will begin this offseason with the search for a new coach.

Since the end of the season, according to Iko, the Houston Rockets have fielded several calls from the Suns, who have gradually lowered their asking price for Durant. The Suns are interested in getting some of their first round picks back as Houston controls their first round selections in 2025, 2027 and 2029. The asking price is still not low enough for the Rockets, who aren’t keen on breaking up their young core of players for the 36-year-old small forward, casting doubt over a deal ever materializing.

At the earliest, Walker could return for Game 3 on June 11. Though Walker has had some solid minutes, he hasn’t played a significant role for the Pacers in the playoffs to this point. Obi Toppin will continue to fill out the majority of the backup power forward minutes.

The Pacers sealed their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2000 on Saturday, defeating the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to win the series. The lone negative was the right ankle injury suffered by Walker, who landed awkwardly during the fourth quarter. The second-year forward required assistance back to the locker room and did not return. During his postgame availability, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he was unsure what Walker’s status for the NBA Finals would be. Indiana has the depth to withstand Walker’s absence if he cannot play, but this would leave Carlisle with one less potential option to call on.