NBA Player News

Improved defense and a group effort on the offensive end won the day for the Knicks, helping compensate for a mediocre showing from Brunson. In addition to the low field-goal percentage, the Knicks’ point guard recorded six turnovers. In the 114-98 victory, the Knicks were at their best when more of the action ran through Karl-Anthony Towns, taking some of the pressure off of Brunson. They’ll need to do more of the same in Game 5 on Tuesday.

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.

Gordon played 23 minutes in Saturday’s Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves before heading to the locker room in the third quarter. Despite the Nuggets saying he was available, Gordon didn’t return to the court. Now he’s been ruled out for Game 5. Expect Spencer Jones to start in his place.

Goodwin hasn’t played since he injured his calf five minutes into the series’ opening game. The 27-year-old guard was said to have been progressing in his recovery, but was still ruled out for Game 4. Collin Gillespie has replaced him in the starting lineup while Grayson Allen provides additional depth off the bench.

Huerter left Game 3 with a sore left hip after playing 15 minutes off the bench and didn’t return. He was listed as questionable for Game 4, but was ultimately ruled in. Huerter can provide outside shooting and floor spacing off the bench, particularly in minutes where starting small forward Duncan Robinson is off the floor.

Flagg won the closest Rookie of the Year vote since 2003 over the Hornets’ Kon Knueppel. The 19-year-old small forward led all rookies in points per game and was tied for first in total assists. Flagg lived up to his fourth-round preseason ADP and will surely go even earlier in drafts next season.

Isaac is still dealing with a sprained left knee that’s kept him out for a month and a half. He’s been ruled out of all four games in this series so far, though his absence doesn’t impact the Magic’s rotation.

Embiid had 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Sunday’s Game 4 loss to the Celtics, his first action in two and a half weeks due to an emergency appendectomy. Listed as probable for Game 5, Embiid is likely to play as the 76ers look to avoid elimination.

Ant-Man is dealing with a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee, and he’ll likely miss the rest of the first-round series against Denver. Minnesota must win only one of its next three games against the Nuggets, scheduled for Monday, Thursday and Saturday, if the series goes the distance. The Wolves played well without Edwards in the regular season, but without he and Donte DiVincenzo, the road ahead will be challenging. Ayo Dosunmu will need to keep scoring at a high level to pick up the slack, and he’ll look to build off of a 43-point performance in Game 4.