NBA Player News

Following a two-game absence with a groin injury, Mitchell returned to the lineup against Orlando. While it was great for fantasy managers to have him back, Mitchell wasn’t at his best in this game. He had a poor shooting night and missed two three-pointers late in the game that would’ve tied things up with less than 30 seconds left. Fortunately, Mitchell will have four games next week to make up for this lackluster performance. That will start with a back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday, so keep an eye on the injury report.

J-Dub, who injured his left hamstring for the second time this postseason during Game 2, did not play in Friday’s Game 3 victory. Ajay Mitchell moved into the starting lineup, but a strained right calf will keep him out of Game 4. If J-Dub remains out, Jared McCain is the potential replacement in the starting lineup after scoring 24 points in Game 3.

Mitchell, who exited Friday’s Game 3 victory after suffering a lower-body injury during the third quarter, has been diagnosed with a strained right calf. The second-year guard started Game 3 for the injured Jalen Williams (hamstring), so the Thunder may need another player to move into the lineup for Game 4. Jared McCain scored a playoff career-high 24 points on Friday and should figure prominently in the rotation for Game 4.

Both players are at less than 100 percent, but expected to play, according to Johnson. This comes as no surprise. Both Fox and Harper played in Game 3, which was the first game of the series for Fox. Now with the Spurs trying to avoid falling behind 3-1 in the series, both players appear set to continue to play through injury.

Daigneault wouldn’t elaborate when asked what kind of injury Mitchell was dealing with, though he confirmed he would be listed on the injury report. Mitchell moved into the starting lineup for Game 3 with Jalen Williams (hamstring) out, but had only two points in 17 minutes. Jared McCain and Jaylin Williams will continue to see increased minutes if Mitchell, Williams or both are out for Game 4.

Fox returned after missing the first two games of the series with an ankle injury. He had a good game with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Fox was +9 in 31 minutes despite the Spurs losing by 15 points. His three-point shot was off, though, as he went 1-of-6 from behind the arc. Fox and the Spurs will look to even the series in Game 4 on Sunday.

Wembanyama was effective on offense with 26 points on 15 attempts, but didn’t have the same impact on the boards as he did in the first two games of the series. After totaling 41 rebounds in the first two games of the series, Wembanyama had just four rebounds in Game 3. He’ll need to bounce back if the Spurs are going to avoid falling behind 3-1 in the series in Game 4 on Sunday.

While Jared McCain led the Thunder bench with 24 points, they also had contributions from Williams, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace. Those four combined for 68 points. Williams made five three-pointers in 22 minutes and was +22. The Thunder’s depth continues to impress as they’ve bounced back after losing Game 1 to win the next two games with Jalen Williams (hamstring) only playing seven minutes.

With Jalen Williams (hamstring) out for Game 3, the Thunder bench stepped up in a big way and had 76 points in the victory. McCain led the way with 24 points and was +28 in 27 minutes as Oklahoma City took a 2-1 series lead. If Williams’ absence continues, McCain has already shown he can fill the void.

Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have bounced back nicely after losing Game 1 of the series. The 27-year-old point guard scored 30 and 26 points in the last two games as Oklahoma City has managed to take a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 is coming up on Sunday.

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.