NBA Player News

Barlow sprained his left ankle, left Saturday’s win over the Jazz and didn’t return. While the 22-year-old small forward was initially listed as doubtful for Monday’s game against the Thunder, he’s available. Trendon Watford could see more minutes if Barlow is limited.

Brunson had 15 points, five assists and was +16 in 31 minutes in Game 4 on Monday. The 29-year-old point guard led the Knicks to their first NBA Finals in 27 years. Brunson had 38 points in Game 1, 19 points and 14 assists in Game 2 and 30 points in Game 3. The Knicks completed their second series sweep in a row and just the fourth sweep in a seven-game series in franchise history. Over the weekend, Brunson was named to the All-NBA second team.

Towns was efficient with 19 points on 11 attempts in Game 4 as the Knicks completed a sweep of the Cavaliers and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years. Towns was +25 in 26 minutes as New York dominated from the start of the game, leading by 19 points at halftime. The Knicks will have eight full days off before the NBA Finals, where they’ll face the winner of the Western Conference finals.

Schröder popped up on the injury report as questionable with an illness just hours before game-time and was subsequently ruled out. It’s a difficult development for the Cavaliers to weather while already trailing 3-0 in the series. It’s unclear who will step into Schröder’s vacated bench minutes, though Keon Ellis is a likely candidate.

Mitchell moved into the starting lineup for Game 3 of the series with Jalen Williams (hamstring) sidelined. He suffered a right calf strain and was ruled out for Game 4 and Game 5. Cason Wallace started Game 4 and might have to start Game 5 too with Williams listed as questionable.

Williams hasn’t played since he re-aggravated a left hamstring injury in Game 2. The 25-year-old is listed as questionable for Game 5 on Tuesday and the Thunder could use him with Ajay Mitchell (ankle) already ruled out. Cason Wallace started in Williams’ place and had five points in 21 minutes in Game 4.

Schröder popped up on the injury report as questionable just hours before tip-off on Monday. The 32-year-old point guard had just three points in nine minutes off the bench in Game 3 on Saturday. Keon Ellis could enter the Cavaliers’ rotation if Schröder is ruled out.

With Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Ajay Mitchell (calf) unavailable, the Thunder turned to Wallace to fill the resulting void in the starting lineup. He struggled with his shot in Game 4, but the third-year guard wasn’t the only one who failed to show up. Jared McCain (four points, two rebounds) shot 1-of-10 from the field and Alex Caruso (two rebounds, one assist and two blocks) missed his lone shot attempt. Regardless of what happens with J-Dub and Mitchell for Tuesday’s Game 5, the Thunder need more from Wallace, McCain and Caruso if they’re to defend home court.

Named third-team All-NBA on Sunday, Holmgren produced another underwhelming showing in Game 4. If there’s a positive, it’s that his nine rebounds were two more than the 7-foot-1 forward/center’s total in Games 3 and 4. However, with San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama’s consistent excellence, the Thunder need more from Holmgren if they’re to win this series, especially if Jalen Williams (hamstring) remains out after missing both games in San Antonio.

Hartenstein reached double figures for the second time this series, but his defensive efforts weren’t enough to keep Victor Wembanyama from dominating Game 4. And it doesn’t help that Chet Holmgren has been largely underwhelming, with Sunday’s defeat evening the series at two games apiece going into Tuesday’s Game 5. Hartenstein logged 17 minutes in Game 4, due partly to things getting out of hand during the latter stages of the third quarter. His playing time should crack the twenties on Tuesday if things are competitive throughout.