NBA Player News

Having started Sunday’s loss to the Celtics after a three-game absence due to a sprained ankle, Wade will play the second game of Cleveland’s home back-to-back. He’ll occupy his usual place in the starting lineup, with Sam Merrill serving as the fifth starter due to Jarrett Allen (knee) being out.

Sims achieved a career first in Wednesday’s defeat, a triple-double. The Bucks’ lost season has created more opportunities for the athletic center to show what he’s capable of, especially on nights when Myles Turner is unavailable. Sims played 38 minutes against the Pistons, with his stat line only lacking a blocked shot. He has a team option for next season worth just over $2.8 million; we’ll see if Sims has done enough for the Bucks to pick it up.

Having missed three of the Bucks’ prior four games, Rollins still logged 33 minutes on Wednesday. And he was productive, recording a complete stat line and extending his streak of games with at least 20 points to three. While he was selected in drafts following Damian Lillard’s exit, few expected Rollins to be as valuable to fantasy managers as he’s been this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee will affect the entire roster, but Rollins has been productive enough to gain the trust of managers in 12-team leagues heading into the 2026-27 season.

One of the few positives for the Bucks this season may have been their acquisition of Dieng at the trade deadline. When allowed to play extended minutes, the 2022 lottery pick has been productive more often than not. Dieng did not record any defensive stats against the Pistons, but he shot 4-of-8 from three and offered solid production in the assist category. He’ll be a restricted free agent this summer, and his future in Milwaukee may be affected by what the franchise does with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Holland was one of seven Pistons to score in double figures on Wednesday, with the 18 points being the most he’s scored in a game since the season opener against Orlando (19). With Detroit knowing that it will be the top seed in the East when the playoffs begin next weekend, there may be additional opportunities for Holland to score in the team’s final two regular-season games. If so, he may offer added value to those competing in active fantasy leagues.

With the Pistons grabbing control of Wednesday’s game during the second and third quarters, Duren only needed to play 28 minutes against the Bucks. The All-Star center finished one rebound shy of a triple-double, and he’s scored at least 20 points in 33 games this season. By comparison, Duren had four such games last season. At a minimum, he’s on the shortlist of the most improved players in the NBA this season.

Back in the Pistons’ rotation after a 13-game absence with a strained calf, Stewart played 11 minutes off the bench on Wednesday. He didn’t miss a shot against the Bucks, and while the rebounding production was underwhelming, Beef Stew’s mere presence on the court makes a difference for the Pistons. Paul Reed played 10 minutes, finishing with 10 points, three rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot. Wednesday’s game was one the Pistons won comfortably, which likely impacted Stewart’s minutes. But the focus is on ensuring he’s sharp for the playoffs, which begin on April 18.

Cunningham recorded a double-double in his first game back from a lung pneumothorax that sidelined him for 11 games. More important was the playing time, as he logged 26 minutes without incident. The Pistons have games on Friday and Sunday to end their regular season, so Cunningham will have opportunities to sharpen his skills against competition. However, with the Pistons locked into the top seed in the East, Daniss Jenkins will still play solid minutes in those remaining games. Jenkins finished Wednesday’s victory with nine points, five rebounds, six assists and one three-pointer in 21 minutes.

After scoring 20 points or more in two of his first three games as a Hawk, Kuminga entered Wednesday having scored 16 or fewer in each of his last 11 appearances. Injuries have been a factor, but the former Warriors lottery pick has also battled inconsistency. Kuminga’s performance against the Cavaliers was a glimpse of what he’s capable of when locked in, and the Hawks will need to see that version consistently during the postseason.

The betting favorite for Most Improved Player honors had another good night on Wednesday, shooting over 50 percent from the field in the 122-116 defeat. Alexander-Walker has scored 20 points or more in four straight and eight of his last nine appearances. Atlanta, which needs to win one of its next two games to avoid the Play-In tournament, hosts the Cavaliers on Friday.

Since he was limited to eight points in a March 27 loss to the Celtics, Okongwu has reached double figures in each of his last five appearances. Against the Cavaliers, the Hawks’ starting center shot 70 percent from the field despite the challenging frontcourt matchup. However, Okongwu did not offer much on the glass or as a rim protector, something that would need to change if the Hawks and Cavaliers meet in the first round of the playoffs.