NBA Player News

As expected, Embiid will play as the 76ers look to extend this series to a decisive seventh game. Should he encounter any flare-ups with the knee, Paul Reed would be the next man up in the rotation.

Dillingham has been sidelined for the entire postseason so far, and it’s unclear if that will change moving forward. However, even when he is healthy enough to play, it is unlikely that he would enter the rotation.

Hauser was listed as doubtful, so his absence isn’t surprising. Head coach Joe Mazzulla will likely lean on his starters more in what could be considered a must-win game after the Celtics dropped Game 1 at home.

Porzingis wasn’t available to finish Game 1, but he was initially listed as probable for Game 2, so his availability isn’t surprising. However, Al Horford will get the starting nod, with Porzingis coming off the bench. Porzingis should still play a significant role as the Celtics look to tie this series up before it shifts to New York.

Shams notes that Curry has already been ruled out for Game 2 on Thursday, but the week timeline means he’ll miss Game 3 on Saturday and Game 4 on Monday with a chance to return for Game 5 on Wednesday. This is the first muscle strain of Curry’s career, so how quickly he returns will depend on how he responds to rehab. Fortunately for Golden State, the team came away with a win on the road in Game 1, and two of the next three games will be at home, giving the Warriors a chance to stay alive while their superstar PG is out. Expect Buddy Hield to step into a much larger role on offense while Curry is sidelined. Hield has totaled 57 points across his last two games while stroking a blistering 14-of-18 shots from beyond the arc.

Kerr relayed that Curry was “crushed” after being forced from the game due to injury. While Kerr described Curry as day-to-day, he also mentioned that the 37-year-old point guard will undergo imaging on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury. There should be an update on his status at some point prior to Thursday’s Game 2 showdown. With the Warriors taking Game 1 on the road Tuesday, Kerr added that it’s hard to imagine Curry being available for Game 2 on Thursday. With Game 3 Saturday at Golden State, Curry could have more time to rest and recover.

Reid briefly left the floor with an apparent leg injury towards the end of the second quarter before returning in the second half. The 25-year-old center played 34 minutes and was the second leading scorer for the Timberwolves in what turned out to be a lackluster game for Minnesota. Reid appeared healthy in the second half and should continue to be counted on for starter-level minutes despite coming off the bench.

The Timberwolves managed just 33 points in the first half. Despite the Warriors playing the entire second half without superstar Stephen Curry (hamstring), it was simply too much for Minnesota to overcome. Edwards eventually got the offense going in the second half, leading the team with 23 points. He’ll need to do more on the offensive end whether Curry is available or not if the Timberwolves are going to even up the series in Game 2.

Green is a great player who ultimately could make the Hall of Fame when he calls it a career, but at this point of his career, he’s typically not counted on to provide much offense. Green came up with a big playoff performance Tuesday in Game 1 that included 18 points and four made three-pointers. While Green can’t be counted on for scoring like that consistently, he might be needed for more points with Stephen Curry (hamstring) unlikely to be available for Game 2.

Hield continues to show up in these playoffs. The star of Game 7 in the first round, Hield was once again counted on for increased scoring with Stephen Curry out for the entire second half with a hamstring injury. Hield’s added importance in these playoffs figures to continue, especially if Curry is unable to make it back for Game 2.

Butler expressed concern for Stephen Curry, who left Game 1 with a hamstring injury, in the postgame interview. The 25-year-old small forward noted that Curry is the Warriors’ best player, and it’s easier to win when he’s out there. Even so, Butler was able to lead the Warriors to victory in Game 1 against the Timberwolves. Playoff Jimmy was just two assists away from a triple-double. With Game 1 already in hand, the Warriors could opt to rest Curry for Game 2 and take their chances with Butler at the helm one more time.