NBA Player News

Allen (ribs) is questionable for Saturday's Game 3 against the Celtics.

Allen has missed five straight games and was listed as questionable ahead of each of them, so his current status doesn't provide increased optimism. The Cavaliers were surprisingly able to even the series with a Game 2 victory Thursday, and the potential return of their star big man would be another major momentum shift, especially with Kristaps Porzingis (calf) expected to be sidelined for at least a few more games. However, if Allen remains sidelined, Isaac Okoro would likely draw another start.

Allen (ribs) is out for Thursday's Game 2 against the Celtics, Serena Winters of Bally Sports Cleveland reports.

Allen didn't participate in Thursday's morning shootaround, so his chances of playing in Game 2 were always going to be slim. Isaac Okoro will keep his place in the starting unit as a result, whereas Allen will aim to recover enough to play in Game 3 of the series, scheduled for Saturday.

Gobert (personal) isn't on the injury report for Friday's Game 3 agains the Nuggets.

Gobert will return to action Friday after missing Game 2 due to the birth of his child. The newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year should reclaim his starting spot from Kyle Anderson in Game 3.

Allen (ribs), who is listed as questionable, did not participate in morning shootaround in advance of Thursday's Game 2 against the Celtics, Bobby Manning of CLNS Media reports.

Allen's rib injury has cost him four consecutive games, and it appears a fifth is on the horizon. We may not get official confirmation on the center's status until closer to tipoff, but his lack of participation in shootaround is a discouraging sign. If he remains out, Evan Mobley should continue serving as the Cavaliers' center while Max Strus and Isaac Okoro play the two forward spots.

Hartenstein contributed 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, eight assists and one block over 39 minutes during Wednesday's 130-121 victory over the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Hartenstein continues to impress for the Knicks, falling two assists short of a triple-double. With Mitchell Robinson (ankle) likely out for the remainder of the postseason, Hartenstein should be in line for heavy minutes moving forward. It's been a breakout season for Hartenstein, one that should have him well-placed to receive a sizeable upgrade when it comes time to discuss his future contract.

Allen (ribs) is questionable for Thursday's Game 2 against the Celtics.

Despite a negative in-game report from TNT's broadcast saying Allen wasn't able to do much in recent practices and was having trouble sleeping due to the rib injury, coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the Game 1 loss that the Cavaliers' starting center is showing signs of progress, per Bobby Manning of the CLNS Media Network. Allen has missed four straight games and was listed as questionable ahead of each contest, so his current status doesn't provide extra optimism.

Holmgren totaled 19 points (8-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 117-95 victory over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Holmgren produced on both ends of the floor, scoring 19 points with five combined steals and blocks. After a stellar rookie season, Holmgren is looking to cement himself as an elite center despite his age. The Thunder will be hoping for a repeat performance Thursday before heading to Dallas for Games 3 and 4.

Gafford totaled 16 points (5-12 FG, 6-8 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and five blocks across 27 minutes during Tuesday's 117-95 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Gafford recorded a double-double in the loss, adding five blocks. It was arguably his best performance of the postseason and something the Mavericks are going to need more of should they hope to advance to the Conference Finals. Despite the loss, the scoreline does not reflect that the Mavericks kept this close for three quarters.

The Knicks announced Tuesday that Robinson sustained a stress injury to his surgically repaired left ankle last week during the team's first-round series victory over the 76ers and will be re-evaluated in 6-to-8 weeks.

Robinson won't need an additional surgery and is expected to make a full recovery before training camp, but the setback with the ankle rules him out for the rest of the Knicks' playoff run. In Robinson's absence, Precious Achiuwa is expected to re-enter the rotation as the primary backup to starting center Isaiah Hartenstein during the Knicks' second-round series versus the Pacers. Robinson made just 31 appearances during the regular season, posting averages of 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks and 0.6 assists in 24.8 minutes.

The NBA announced Tuesday that Gobert (personal) has been named the 2023-24 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Gobert has now tied Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace for the most DPOY awards in NBA history with four. Gobert was the anchor Minnesota's defense, which boasted a league-best 108.4 defensive rating. The defensive stalwart's 2.1 blocks per game ranked sixth in the NBA while his 12.9 rebounds per contest ranked second.