NBA Player News

Already dealing with left foot arthritis, James fell hard on his left elbow during Thursday’s loss to the Nuggets. He’ll sit out Friday’s game, likely resulting in Jake LaRavia moving into the starting five. If so, that raises LaRavia’s short-term fantasy ceiling.

Huerter played 15 minutes off the bench in Game 3, and after being considered questionable to return due to a sore left hip, he did not return. Huerter did not score in the Game 3 defeat, but he can provide perimeter shooting to a team that truly needs it for spacing.

Isaac, who has been out since March 12, is once again listed as doubtful ahead of a Magic game. That means there is a chance he returns for Game 4, but the odds are slim. Isaac’s absence has not significantly affected Orlando’s frontcourt rotation.

It didn’t take much production for Merrill to conclude as one of Cleveland’s best offensive performers on Sunday. In 19 minutes, he provided his usual three-point shooting and was the only positive contributor off the bench in terms of plus-minus. Merill didn’t accumulate many other stats, leaving his three-point shooting as the primary value he brought in Game 4.

Harden played inconsistently throughout Sunday’s loss. Six of his seven turnovers came in the first half, which is also when the majority of his points were scored. And while the former league MVP spent most of the second half making plays for his teammates, his scoring production down the stretch was absent and missed by a Cleveland offense that needed answers. Harden has now played unspectacularly in two straight losses. He’ll need to get back on track in Game 5 to help Cleveland end its losing streak.

Mitchell was one of many Cavaliers who struggled on Sunday. He wasn’t great from the three-point line and was very inefficient inside the arc. As a result, he missed 18 shot attempts and even committed a late turnover when trying to advance the ball past halfcourt. Overall, it was simply an off night for the league’s seventh-leading scorer during the regular season. Cleveland could use a bounce-back game from him in Game 5.

Murray-Boyles provided another big lift for the Raptors off the bench on Sunday. On the heels of a 22-point, eight-rebound effort in Game 3, he once again battled on the glass and showcased his motor, leading to his first double-double of the postseason. The rookie forward has scored in double figures in all four games against the Cavs in this series and has become more productive on the glass each game. He should remain a big part of the rotation moving forward.

Injured during the series opener, Goodwin did not play in Games 2 or 3. Collin Gillespie has moved into the starting lineup, and Grayson Allen’s return during Saturday’s Game 3 defeat gave the Suns additional depth on the perimeter. Goodwin is most impactful as a defender, giving Phoenix another option to throw at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Williams will remain sidelined for what could be the Suns’ final game of the season, as they go into Game 4 in a 0-3 hole. Oso Ighodaro has been the replacement in the starting lineup, and that should remain the case on Monday.

Ingram’s offensive struggles were evident on Sunday, as he missed 17 shots in Game 4. Yet, a late second-quarter flurry and an important three-pointer late in the fourth quarter marked times when his contributions came at pivotal moments. Ingram didn’t tally any assists, meaning his impact on offense was mostly as a scorer. He’ll have a chance to find his rhythm on Wednesday in Game 5.

Both teams struggled to score in Sunday’s contest, but behind Barnes’ 23 points, the Raptors did just enough to win and even the series. The fifth-year forward earned nearly half of his points total at the charity stripe, with the remaining coming inside the three-point line. He tallied more rebounds and assists than any other Raptors player and was impactful on the defensive end of the floor, as well. Now tied at two games apiece, the series flips back to Cleveland for Game 5, where Barnes will look to lead his team to a third straight victory.