NBA Player News

Porziņġis had been upgraded from questionable to available, marking good news for the Warriors. The veteran center posted a 20/5/5/1/2 line against the Clippers in the team’s Play-In Tournament win on Wednesday and will have a good chance to land strong production on Friday.

While more productive in Game 3 than he was in either of the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Harden’s overall impact was once again muted. Given the matchup, the Cavaliers can ill afford not to have Harden playing at an elite level. He shot just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc on Saturday and finished with as many turnovers as assists. Harden and the Cavaliers need a win on Monday to avoid getting swept.

Towns came out hot in Game 3, scoring 11 of the Knicks’ 37 first-quarter points. He would only score three more points the rest of the way, but the ability to facilitate for others was once again on display. Towns recorded a team-high seven assists in Game 3, and he was also responsible for eight rebounds and three steals. While Cleveland’s Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen have put up decent numbers, Towns has been the best post player in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks will look to complete the sweep with a win in Game 4 on Monday.

After struggling for most of Game 1 in his first game back from a hamstring injury, Anunoby has looked sharper in Games 2 and 3. On Saturday, the Knicks’ forward shot 60 percent from the field and was also impactful as a rebounder and facilitator. And after shooting 3-of-10 from beyond the arc in the first two games, Anunoby made three of four attempts in Game 3. OG and the Knicks will look to complete the series sweep with a win on Monday night.

Bridges continues to shine for the Knicks, who are one win away from a second consecutive series sweep and their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. During Game 3, the Knicks’ wing did his damage from the mid-range and in the paint. All 11 of Bridges’ makes came within 19 feet of the basket, with nine occurring in the paint. He’s been aggressive, and the approach has paid dividends for the Knicks. Bridges will look to do more of the same in Game 4 on Monday.

Winners of 10 consecutive games, the Knicks are now one win away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Brunson, who was limited to more of a setup role in Game 2, led the way in Game 3 with a game-high 30 points. He didn’t make a three-pointer, but that didn’t matter much, with the Knicks’ point guard attempting 12 free throws and making 10. No matter who the Cavaliers have assigned to defend Brunson, he’s managed to impact the action in all three games in some way. He’ll look to do the same in Game 4 on Monday, with the Knicks going for a second consecutive sweep.

J-Dub, who injured his left hamstring for the second time this postseason during Game 2, did not play in Friday’s Game 3 victory. Ajay Mitchell moved into the starting lineup, but a strained right calf will keep him out of Game 4. If J-Dub remains out, Jared McCain is the potential replacement in the starting lineup after scoring 24 points in Game 3.

Mitchell, who exited Friday’s Game 3 victory after suffering a lower-body injury during the third quarter, has been diagnosed with a strained right calf. The second-year guard started Game 3 for the injured Jalen Williams (hamstring), so the Thunder may need another player to move into the lineup for Game 4. Jared McCain scored a playoff career-high 24 points on Friday and should figure prominently in the rotation for Game 4.