NBA Player News

Hart was back in the Knicks’ lineup after sitting out Wednesday’s win over the Nuggets, and he may have aggravated the ankle injury that was the reason for his absence. The Knicks’ wing pulled up while dribbling down the court during the third quarter and would exit shortly thereafter. There was no announcement regarding his status for the rest of the night, but Hart never returned to the bench after going back to the locker room. New York ends its Week 16 in Boston on Sunday.

The Cavaliers have changed their starting lineup for Game 7, with Strus replacing Dean Wade. Strus offers a higher offensive ceiling, and he can also take on the task of defending Cade Cunningham. The other four starters are unchanged.

Huerter was available for Game 6 but did not play after aggravating his strained adductor during Game 5. Given the lack of playing time, his role is likely to be limited for Game 7.

LeVert is officially available after being listed as questionable on the Pistons’ initial injury report. He’ll take on his usual reserve role, likely surpassing 25 minutes as Detroit looks to advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2008.

Robinson, who logged 20 minutes in Game 6 after sitting out Game 5 with a sore lower back, is good to go for Sunday’s series decider. He’ll remain in a reserve role for Game 7, with Daniss Jenkins making his third consecutive start alongside Cade Cunningham.

Kornet is dealing with a sore left foot, and a potential absence would affect the back end of the Spurs’ rotation. He averaged 13.8 minutes per game in the second round, which included a spike in playing time in Game 4 due to Victor Wembanyama’s second-quarter ejection. If Kornet can’t play on Monday, more minutes would become available to Carter Bryant.

Fox continues to deal with a sore right ankle, but the injury did not force him to miss any games during San Antonio’s second-round series against Minnesota. If he’s unable to play on Monday, Dylan Harper would take on a more prominent role, with there also being more minutes for Harrison Barnes.

Williams is off the Thunder’s injury report ahead of the Western Conference Finals, meaning the team’s rotation will be complete for Game 1. Ajay Mitchell has performed well as J-Dub’s replacement in the starting lineup, and the second-year guard will figure prominently in the bench unit.

Nance is inactive for a second consecutive game due to an illness. He has not been a consistent member of the Cavaliers’ rotation, and that was unlikely to change for Sunday’s series decider.

Gilgeous-Alexander became the 14th player in league history to win consecutive Most Valuable Player awards. The 27-year-old point guard averaged 31.1 points, 6.6 assists and 1.4 steals. He was second in the league in points and first in plus/minus. Gilgeous-Alexander is in elite company now with multiple MVP awards. If the Thunder repeat as champions, he’ll join Bill Russell, Michael Jordan and LeBron James as the only players to win back-to-back MVPs while also winning back-to-back championships.

A late scratch for Friday’s Game 6 defeat, Nance is on track to miss Game 7 as well. The veteran forward/center has not been in the Cavaliers’ rotation, and that’s unlikely to change on Sunday.