NBA Player News

Strawther (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Monday in the Nuggets' 119-114 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 2 of a first-round playoff series.

Strawther appeared in each of the Nuggets' final 11 regular-season games and averaged 8.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers and 1.3 assists in 15.5 minutes per contest over that stretch. However, head coach David Adelman has dropped the third-year wing from Denver's rotation for both of the team's first two postseason contests. Unless Denver loses one of its key players to injury at some point during its playoff run, Strawther's opportunities could be largely limited to garbage-time scenarios.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday on NBA Today that Reaves (oblique) is on track to return late during the first round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Rockets.

Reaves, who is further along than Luka Doncic (hamstring) in their respective rehab processes, has begun 1-on-1 on-court work but still needs to progress to 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 activities. Reaves might be more likely to return if the Lakers advance to the second round, but it sounds like the door is open for him to get back into the lineup later this series. In the meantime, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart will try to help pick up the slack in the backcourt.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday on NBA Today that the Lakers are not expecting Doncic (hamstring) to return during the first round of the Western Conference playoffs versus Houston.

Although it's not necessarily an unexpected update, it sounds like the Lakers will have to advance to the second round in order for Doncic to see the court again in 2025-26. With the superstar guard continuing to nurse a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, LeBron James should remain the focal point of Los Angeles' offense while Luke Kennard takes on an expanded role.

Head coach Jordan Ott expects Williams (foot) to be listed as questionable for Game 2 on Wednesday versus the Thunder, per Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.

Williams is considered day-to-day with left foot soreness, which has cost him each of Phoenix's past two contests. The fourth-year big man will presumably be re-evaluated closer to Wednesday's tipoff. If Williams is unable to play, Oso Ighodaro would likely play the bulk of the center minutes while Khaman Maluach handles the backup role.

Isaac (knee) remains limited to non-contact drills at practice, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Based on this update, Isaac appears likely to miss his 21st straight contest in Wednesday's Game 2 against Detroit. Isaac is making progress, but the Magic aren't ready to offer a clear timetable.

Mamukelashvili chipped in 12 points (5-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal over 21 minutes during Monday's 115-105 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

With Jakob Poeltl being ineffective once again, the Raptors leaned heavily on Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles off the bench. With the team starting a 2-0 deficit, lineup/rotation changes could be on the table for Toronto.

Kuminga provided 19 points (7-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-6 FT), four rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals across 35 minutes during Monday's 107-106 victory over New York in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Kuminga nearly matched the output of the New York second unit with 19 points compared to their 20. He's averaging 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists through two postseason games, but he's shooting just 16.7 percent from beyond the arc thus far.

Johnson finished with 17 points (6-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 5-5 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and one steal in 36 minutes during Monday's 107-106 victory over New York in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

This was a mild effort from Johnson based on his regular-season standards. The Knicks have clearly made it a priority to slow him down, but he's still managing averages of 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 0.5 steals on 45.2 percent shooting from the field through two games.

Hart finished Monday's 107-106 loss to Atlanta in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 15 points (5-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 13 rebounds, six assists and one steal over 35 minutes.

Hart was a bright spot for the Knicks in a close contest that saw this series get tied up. Through the opening pair of postseason games, Hart has been terrific with 13.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals in 36.0 minutes per contest.

Murray recorded 30 points (11-25 FG, 6-14 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 43 minutes during Monday's 119-114 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The 30 points led the Nuggets on the night, the second straight game in which Murray has paced his squad with that exact number. The 29-year-old guard missed the final two games of the regular season while nursing a minor shoulder issue, but he's been plenty productive when he's been on the court over the last month. Murray has scored 30-plus points in six of his last 12 contests, averaging 28.0 points, 7.1 assists, 4.6 boards, 4.3 threes and 1.1 combined steals and blocks during that span.