NBA Player News

Back in the 76ers’ lineup after missing Wednesday’s win over the Wizards, Embiid logged 34 minutes against the Timberwolves. While he did not shoot the ball well, the 7-footer had one of his best efforts of the season defensively. In addition to the three blocks, Embiid was engaged defensively throughout Friday’s victory. Fantasy implications aside, the 76ers will need their center to put forth that effort consistently during the postseason. Philadelphia hosts Detroit on Saturday; fantasy managers should consider Embiid questionable for injury management reasons.

After seemingly figuring things out by scoring 20 points in Game 2 following a rough Game 1 and subpar series against the Thunder, Fox’s struggles returned in this game. However, he was able to make some plays down the stretch, including a mid-range jumper with 12 seconds left to give the Spurs a five-point lead. They were able to hold on and get their first win of the series. Fox needs to be much better than he has been, so hopefully the 2023 Clutch Player of the Year hitting a big shot late will provide him some momentum moving forward.

The rookie has been incredible throughout the postseason, though he wasn’t able to match his shooting efficiency in this game. It was a rough shooting night for Harper, but that didn’t prevent the Spurs from securing their first win of the series. He’s been important to the team’s success, which isn’t common for a 20-year-old in the NBA Finals. The volume will increase as he ages, which should lead to some incredible fantasy seasons. For now, he’ll look to make an impact in his role as the series continues on Thursday.

In just his second season, Castle has been so impressive, and this was one of his best performances of his first postseason. He seemingly injured his ankle in Game 2, but it was never expected to alter his status for this game, and it certainly didn’t hinder his performance. Castle had a strong outing, and he was able to seal the game with a pair of free throws to give the Spurs a four-point lead late. If the Spurs want to even the series in Game 4 on Thursday, Castle will need to continue to play at this level.

In 267 games with the Hawks in his three and half years as the team’s head coach, Snyder has coached his team to a 132-135 record. Snyder isn’t quite a .500 coach with the team, but Atlanta’s late-season resurgence and playoff appearance after trading Trae Young showed team brass enough to bring Snyder back.

Castle appeared to injure his right leg during the second half of Game 2 on Friday. While he did exit the game shortly after the tweak, the second-year guard was back on the court in the fourth quarter as the Spurs rallied. Based on Castle’s comments on Sunday, he should be a full go for Game 3 as the Spurs look to cut the Knicks’ 2-0 lead in half. “It’s been feeling good,” Castle said. “It feels a lot better than I thought it would initially. Obviously, I had some adrenaline running, kind of once I settled down, I started to feel it. Waking up the next day, actually felt really good.” Castle was not listed on the injury report released by the Spurs on Sunday afternoon, so he’ll take on his usual starting role.

ESPN’s Shams Charania shared on social media on Sunday that Brand won’t return as Philadelphia’s GM. The post came shortly after he broke the news of the Sixers’ promotion of assistant GM Jameer Nelson to Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. Brand’s tenure began in September of 2026, and he will now reportedly be working to land a new role within the organization.

The scuttlebutt surrounding the Kings heading into the February trade deadline was that the team would look to move some of its veterans to kickstart a reset of the roster. No one was moved, and Sabonis underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn left meniscus during the All-Star break. The veteran center once again being the subject of trade rumors is unsurprising, especially considering the Kings’ struggles and current salary cap situation. The Kings hold the seventh overall pick in this month’s draft, and Sabonis’ future could affect that, as well as Maxime Raynaud. Raynaud earned second-team All-Rookie honors and started 56 of the 74 games he played.

The 41st overall pick in the 2022 draft, Liddell spent this season with the Nets on a two-way deal. Due to be a free agent this summer, the former Ohio State standout has reportedly decided to move to Greece on a two-year deal. Liddell’s exit will not affect the Nets’ rotation or fantasy basketball next season.

Bridges was excellent on the offensive end in Game 2. He was 7-of-8 from the field to start the game, but was also finding his teammates as he had six assists. Bridges has had one game with at least 20 points in every round of the playoffs. This one certainly came at the right time as the Knicks were able to take a 2-0 series lead on the road. Twice before has a team won the first two games of the NBA Finals on the road and that team went on to win the series each time.

Brunson wasn’t particularly efficient with 20 points on 25 attempts, but he came through at the end of the game in typical Brunson-like fashion. With the Knicks trailing by two with less than a minute left in regulation, Brunson stopped in the lane to give himself enough space to hit a fadeaway jumper and tied the game. His made free throw with 10 second left was the difference in the Knicks’ 13th consecutive playoff win as they became the second team in history to accomplish that feat. New York will head home with a 2-0 series lead heading into Game 3 on Monday, where they’ll look to continue what’s been a dominant postseason run.