NBA Player News

Embiid (knee) was named the 2022-23 NBA Most Valuable Player on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Embiid won the MVP award after finishing as the runner-up in the previous two years. The superstar center averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals in 34.6 minutes across 66 games this season, leading the 76ers to a 54-28 record. Embiid is currently dealing with a knee injury that could hold him out of Wednesday's Game 2 versus the Celtics.

Head coach Doc Rivers said Embiid (knee) is still considered doubtful for Wednesday's Game 2 in Boston, but the MVP candidate could be upgraded if he responds well to Tuesday's workout, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Embiid missed the series-clinching Game 4 win over Brooklyn and remained sidelined for Monday's Game 1 victory in Boston due to a knee sprain, but he's doing everything in his power to get back on the court to help his team. He did some light shooting ahead of Monday's game and will go through a skeleton workout Tuesday, and how he responds to those events will be the determining factor in his availability moving forward. An official update on his availability for Game 2 likely won't come until hours before Wednesday's 8 p.m. ET tip-off.

Jokic contributed 39 points (17-30 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 16 rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block across 41 minutes during Monday's 97-87 victory over the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Jokic had another dominant performance in Game 2 of the series and vastly outplayed opposing center Deandre Ayton while shining on both ends of the court. After an uncharacteristically inefficient 8-for-29 showing from the field in the Nuggets' first-round-series-clinching win over the Timberwolves last Tuesday, Jokic has converted 51 percent of his field goals through the first two games of the series with Phoenix.

Ayton posted 14 points (7-10 FG), eight rebounds, four assists and one block in 33 minutes during Monday's 97-87 loss to Denver in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Ayton delivered another efficient performance in Game 2, but just like in Game 1, he failed to reach the 15-point mark and couldn't record double-digit rebounds. There's no question that dealing with Nikola Jokic has been quite a challenge for Ayton. While he remains valuable in DFS and playoff-based formats, there's no question his impact has been diminished compared to the one he had against the Clippers in the first round. There's a chance that changes in Game 3, however, as he could be in line for more offensive touches in the event Chris Paul (groin) ends up missing Friday's contest.

Bamba is questionable for Tuesday's Game 1 against Golden State due to left ankle soreness, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Bamba appeared in only one contest during the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Grizzlies, logging just nine minutes during Game 6. His availability for Tuesday will likely depend on how he feels during morning shootaround and pregame warmups.

Davis is listed as probable for Tuesday's Game 1 against the Warriors, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Davis has yet again been added to the injury report, but he should continue to play through the foot injury. He averaged 20.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 4.3 blocks over six contests during the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Embiid (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's Game 1 against the Celtics, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Embiid was doubtful ahead of Monday's matchup, so his status doesn't come as a major surprise. However, he did some light shooting at the team's morning shootaround, and there's optimism that the center will be available for Game 2 on Wednesday. Paul Reed will likely see an increased role in Philadelphia's frontcourt Monday.

Embiid (knee) is unlikely to play in Game 1 versus the Celtics on Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Embiid is still officially listed as doubtful, so this isn't a real surprise. Embiid was spotted doing some light shooting at the morning shootaround and Wojnarowski added that there is optimism about his status for Game 2 and beyond. Paul Reed could draw the start in Game 1 versus Boston with James Harden and Tyrese Maxey seeing heavy usage.

Zeller closed with one point (1-2 FT), one rebound and one steal across eight minutes during Sunday's 108-101 win over New York in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Zeller managed just eight minutes in the win, failing to have a tangible impact once again. While he has had his moments thus far in the playoffs, as long as Bam Adebayo is healthy, Zeller figures to be nothing more than an emergency option on most nights.

Sabonis chipped in 22 points (10-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-6 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists and two blocks across 37 minutes during Sunday's 120-100 loss to the Warriors in Game 7 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Sabonis scored effectively but his rebounding numbers were dwarfed by Kevon Looney's 21 boards. His fantasy total was aided by seven assists and two blocked shots, but the Kings' interior was solidly outmatched by Golden State's front line. Despite the disappointing final result, Sabonis ended the season as one of the league's most productive rebounders, trailing only Anthony Davis with 12.3 rebounds per game.