NBA Player News

McBride won't start Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.

With OG Anunoby (hamstring) back in the lineup, McBride will retreat to the second unit. The 25-year-old guard has averaged 5.9 points while shooting 33.3 percent from the field in 19.4 minutes per game across eight appearances off the bench this postseason.

Strus won't start Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks.

After starting Sunday's Game 7 win over Detroit, Strus will slide back to the second unit as the Cavaliers move Dean Wade into the starting lineup. This adjustment likely aims to bolster Cleveland's frontcourt size and defense against a physical Knicks squad. Strus was a reliable contributor in the previous round, averaging 9.9 points and 5.0 rebounds, and he has a history of sparked scoring off the bench, including a 20-point performance in Game 5 of the second round. Expect the veteran sharpshooter to maintain a significant role as the primary floor-spacer for the reserve unit.

Nance (illness) is available for Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks.

Nance missed the final two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals due to an illness, though he's available Tuesday. However, the veteran big man has appeared in just two games this postseason and isn't guaranteed to see the floor in Game 1.

Wade will start Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks.

Max Strus got the starting nod over Wade in Sunday's Game 7 win over Detroit in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, though the latter will return to the starting five Tuesday. Wade has averaged 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds across 23.4 minutes per game over 14 postseason appearances (11 starts) in 2026.

Anunoby (hamstring) is available for Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

Anunoby has been cleared to return for the series opener after a 13-day layoff allowed him to recover from a right hamstring strain. The star forward has been sidelined since May 6, when he exited Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 76ers. While the Knicks managed to sweep that series in his absence the last two games, his return is a massive boost as the team faces a fresh Cleveland squad.

Fox (ankle) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder.

Per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, head coach Mitch Johnson indicated Tuesday that Fox will be a game-time call for Game 2, so he'll presumably go through pregame warmups before a final decision is made. The star guard has been dealing with lingering right ankle soreness and was unable to suit up in Monday's double-overtime win in Game 1, during which Dylan Harper got the starting nod and recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals and six assists across 47 minutes. Harper is expected to remain in the starting lineup if Fox isn't cleared to play.

Fox (ankle) is a game-time decision for Wednesday's Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.

Fox seemingly had been in line to be available for Game 1 before being unexpectedly ruled out Monday, and his status remains murky for Game 2. The star guard will likely test out his sore right ankle during Wednesday's pregame warmups before the Spurs decide if he can play. Dylan Harper, who logged a postseason-high 47 minutes in Game 1, would be the direct fantasy beneficiary if Fox is unable to suit up.

Hartenstein recorded two points (0-1 FG, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal across 12 minutes during Monday's 122-115 double-overtime loss to San Antonio in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Hartenstein struggled to make a tangible impact, other than compiling three combined steals and blocks. He closed by logging just 12 minutes, the fewest he has played throughout the postseason. Although he should be better than this on most nights, the simple fact is that Victor Wembanyama got the better of him on this occasion. In nine playoff appearances, Hartenstein has averaged 9.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.2 combined steals and blocks in 24.1 minutes per contest.

Mitchell accumulated four points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds, five assists and two steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 122-115 double-overtime loss to the Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Mitchell moved back to the bench, with Jalen Williams returning to the starting lineup after missing six straight games due to a hamstring injury. Despite the relegation, Mitchell still managed to see 34 minutes, albeit largely unproductive. Through nine playoff appearances, Mitchell has averaged 17.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 three-pointers. While his move to the bench is likely to result in less production, Mitchell should be better than this, based on what we have seen thus far throughout the postseason.

Williams (hamstring) closed with 26 points (11-25 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 37 minutes during Monday's 122-115 double-overtime loss to the Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Williams returned to action for the first time in nearly a month, after missing the Thunder's previous six playoff games due to a left hamstring strain. Despite the layoff, Williams appeared as close to 100 percent healthy as the Thunder might have hoped, providing excellent production while logging his most minutes in a game since Jan. 7. Oklahoma City may have been planning for Williams to take on a lighter workload in his return, as he played 30 minutes through four quarters before adding seven more to his total between the two extra periods. Now trailing the series 1-0, Oklahoma City will look to wrestle back momentum when the two teams meet again in Game 2 on Wednesday.