NBA Player News

Bane is a new addition to the Magic injury report, but the good news is that he’s still considered probable to play. If he can’t go, Anthony Black is the most likely replacement in the starting lineup, with Tristan da Silva’s minutes also receiving a boost.

With the Timberwolves missing multiple starters, Randle stepped up with 27 points and six assists in Game 5. Still, it wasn’t enough to close out the Nuggets on their home floor Monday. Randle and the Timberwolves will head home for Game 6 on Thursday, which could be their best chance to win the series.

Jones averaged just 5.5 points during the regular season and was yet to make his mark on these playoffs. In Games 3 and 4, he had six points in 53 minutes combined. With Aaron Gordon (calf) out for Game 5, Jones moved into the starting lineup and had 20 points in 37 minutes. Regardless of Gordon’s status, if Jones can somehow sustain this level of play, it would be a huge development for the Nuggets.

Murray and the Nuggets lost the second half of Game 4 by 20 points even with the Timberwolves missing multiple starters. Denver was able to turn the page in Game 5. Murray had 24 points, seven assists and four steals in the win. The Nuggets will have to win Game 6 on the road to keep their season alive on Thursday.

With their backs against the wall facing elimination at home in Game 5, the Nuggets finally punched back in this series. Jokić bounced back after a rough second half in Game 4 to record a triple-double with 27 points as Denver took Game 5 by 12 points. Jokić and the Nuggets will have their work cut out for them on the road in Game 6 on Thursday.

Booker rebounded in the second half, but had just two points and five turnovers in 19 minutes in the first half. The Suns trailed by eight at halftime and would go on to lose by nine, which was the closest margin of the series. For much of the series, Booker was stymied by the Thunder defense and it led to a quick exit for the Suns in these playoffs.

Holmgren was excellent in Game 4 with 24 points, 12 rebounds, two three-pointers and two steals. The 23-year-old center was +21 in 34 minutes as the Thunder took Game 4 by nine points. OKC won every game in the series by at least nine points. The Thunder are on the fast track to repeating as champions with a first round sweep of the Suns.

Gilgeous-Alexander put on a show again as he continued to dominate the Suns in this series. Over the last three games, the 27-year-old point guard 36.7 points and 8.3 assists while shooting 63.3 percent from the field. 41.7 percent from behind the three-point line and 90.6 percent from the free throw line. With the Thunder advancing, they’ll take on the winner of the Rockets and Lakers series.

While Jalen Duren had been the poster boy for the Pistons’ struggles in this series, Cunningham seemed to takeover the mantle from Duren in Monday’s Game 4 loss to the Magic. The 24-year-old superstar had eight turnovers and was 7-of-23 from the field as the No. 1 seed Pistons fell behind 3-1 in the series. It was the third consecutive game where Cunningham had at least seven turnovers, tying James Harden’s playoff record. Cunningham and the Pistons will have their backs against the wall as they try to avoid elimination at home in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Wagner played just 24 minutes before leaving with a calf injury. While he returned to the bench, the Magic deemed him questionable to return to the game and then held him out for the rest of regulation. Wagner’s status will likely have to be monitored ahead of Game 5 on Wednesday.

Bane had 22 points and five three-pointers in Game 4, which was one fewer three-pointer than the entire Pistons team. None of his threes were bigger than the bank shot Bane hit late in the fourth quarter to give the Magic a six-point lead. Bane and the Magic will look to complete their shocking upset by closing out the Pistons in Game 5 on Wednesday.