NBA Player News

Towns tallied 19 points (8-11 FG, 3-3 3Pt), 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks across 26 minutes in Monday's 130-93 win over the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Towns got off to a strong start in this one, knocking down two triples and scoring eight points while grabbing six boards in the first quarter. The star big man finished with a team-best 19 points and a game high in rebounds while chipping in four combined steals-plus-blocks for a second consecutive contest. After sweeping the Cavaliers, Towns and the Knicks will look toward the NBA Finals, where they'll face the winner of the Thunder-Spurs series.

Wade won't start Monday's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks.

Max Strus will get the starting nod in Monday's do-or-die matchup, pushing Wade to the second unit for the fourth time this postseason. Over three playoff appearances off the bench, the 29-year-old forward has averaged 7.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.7 steals across 23.3 minutes per contest.

Strus is in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks on Monday.

Strus has come off the bench in each of the first three games of the series, but he provided a spark in Game 3 by scoring 13 points on four treys, earning him a look with the first unit. Dean Wade will retreat to the bench with Strus sliding into the starting five.

Schroder (illness) has been ruled out for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks on Monday, independent journalist Tom Withers reports.

Schroder was added to the injury report hours before tipoff due to an illness, and he's since been listed as out. He's averaged 15.0 minutes through the first three games of the series, so Craig Porter and Keon Ellis could be asked to fill that void Monday in Schroder's absence.

Williams (hamstring) is questionable for Tuesday's Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports.

Williams is in danger of missing a third consecutive contest due to left hamstring strain management. With the Thunder already set to be without Ajay Mitchell (calf) on Tuesday, Jared McCain and Isaiah Joe could be forced into expanded roles in the backcourt.

Mitchell (calf) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs.

Mitchell will miss a second consecutive contest due to a right soleus strain he sustained in Friday's Game 3 win. With the 23-year-old guard sidelined, Jared McCain and Isaiah Joe are candidates for increased playing time.

Schroder (illness) has been downgraded to questionable for Monday's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks.

Schroder is under the weather and may sit out Monday's do-or-die matchup. If the veteran point guard is unable to suit up, Sam Merrill, Max Strus and Keon Ellis would all be candidates to pick up a few extra minutes.

Kornet provided six points (3-4 FG), seven rebounds and two blocks across 13 minutes during Sunday's 103-82 win over the Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

Kornet has had a quiet series overall, but Sunday was his best game by far. Through four games against the Thunder, Kornet is averaging 11.5 minutes with 3.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.5 blocks on 70.0 percent shooting from the field.

Wiggins had four points (2-11 FG, 0-4 3Pt), two rebounds and one block in 21 minutes during Sunday's 103-82 loss to San Antonio in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

Wiggins wasn't able to take advantage of some rare minutes with the Thunder getting blown out of this contest. Across 10 postseason appearances, Wiggins is averaging a mere 4.6 minutes per contest.

Joe racked up 11 points (4-9 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals across 19 minutes during Sunday's 103-82 loss to San Antonio in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

The Thunder were blown out of this game, so the team went deep into the bench Sunday. Joe has been used sparingly in the postseason, as he's averaging 11.4 minutes across 11 appearances with 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.5 steals on 43.1 percent shooting from the field.