NBA Player News

With the Hawks resting their regulars for Monday’s game, Toppin’s playing time increased substantially. He played 41 minutes in the overtime victory, leading all scorers with 26 points. Toppin is on a two-way contract, so his opportunities will be limited once the regular season begins. However, performances like Monday’s can grab the attention of league decision-makers, be it in Atlanta or elsewhere. There’s no need to consider selecting him in redraft leagues, but managers in deep dynasty leagues can consider using a late-round pick on Toppin.

Isaac hasn’t played since March 12 against the Wizards. The veteran forward didn’t start any games for the Magic during the regular season and posted career lows in minutes, points, and rebounds per game. His absence should not cause any changes in Orlando’s rotation.

Bryant missed Cleveland’s final four regular-season games with a strained left calf, and the injury will keep him out for Saturday’s series opener as well. With Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley available, Bryant’s minutes were going to be limited if he were healthy enough to play.

Quickley had to exit Toronto’s regular-season finale due to tightness in his right hamstring, and the injury has been diagnosed as a strain. Ja’Kobe Walter was the replacement the last time that Quickley was the lone unavailable starter for the Raptors, and that may be the case for Game 1. Another candidate to fill the potential void is Jamal Shead.

Anunoby sprained his left ankle during the Knicks’ April 10 win over the Raptors, sitting out the regular-season finale against the Hornets two days later. He’s good to go for Saturday’s series opener, and the Knicks will have a clean injury report as Tyler Kolek is also available.

No surprise here, as the Sixers were already preparing to be without their superstar center to open up the first-round series against the Celtics. Andre Drummond and Adem Bona will continue to hold things down in the frontcourt until Embiid returns.

Williams, who sat out the Suns’ last regular-season game, logged 22 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers. Oso Ighodaro was his replacement in the starting lineup on most nights during the regular season, and that should remain the case on Friday if Williams can’t play.

Post, who last appeared in a game on March 29, remains out for Friday’s Play-In Tournament game. The Warriors went with an eight-man rotation on Wednesday against the Clippers, and that’s likely to remain the case as long as Kristaps Porziņǵis (ankle; questionable) is available.

One day removed from playing 28 minutes in Wednesday’s win over the Clippers, Porziņǵis is on the injury report due to a sore left ankle. If he’s unable to play on Friday, the Warriors may turn to Al Horford, who logged 22 minutes on Wednesday. That would mean more minutes for Gary Payton II as well, even though he does not share a position with Porziņǵis or Horford.

Diabaté, who finished Tuesday’s overtime win over the Heat with eight points, 14 rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot in 36 minutes, is dealing with a sore left hip. If he’s unable to play on Friday, the Hornets would turn to Ryan Kalkbrenner and Grant Williams to fill the resulting void.

Allen injured his hamstring during the Suns’ penultimate game of the regular season, an April 10 loss to the Lakers. According to Ott, the veteran guard’s availability for Friday’s Play-In Tournament game against the Warriors will depend on whether he can sprint. Royce O’Neale and Collin Gillespie take on added importance in their respective roles with Allen unavailable.