GSW • • #
about 22 hours ago
After missing Game 3, Butler was back in the lineup on Monday. He started off slow, but he scored 23 points after halftime to help Golden State take a 3-1 lead in the series. This was “Playoff Jimmy” on full display. Excluding his early exit in Game 2, Butler had scored at least 24 points in his last six completed games, dating back to April 9. If he’s playing this well, the Warriors will be tough to beat in a seven-game series. It’s worth noting that Jonathan Kuminga, who started in place of Butler in Game 3, was back to being out of the rotation in this game. Expect Butler to continue to dominate as Golden State attempts to clinch this series in Houston in Game 5 on Wednesday.
GSW • Guard • #7
about 22 hours ago
Jimmy Butler’s return from a one-game absence also allowed Hield to enter the starting lineup after scoring 17 points in Game 3. He really struggled in Games 1 and 2, but he was able to build on his performance from Saturday in Monday’s win. Hield is a streaky shooter, but he has been on recently and hit eight triples across Golden State’s two home games. He’ll look to carry this shooting with him to Houston for Game 5 on Wednesday.
GSW • Center • #21
about 22 hours ago
With Jimmy Butler, head coach Steve Kerr bumped Post back to the bench, though he still played a significant reserve role. After playing 27 minutes as a starter, he played 20 minutes off the bench in Game 4 and scored in double figures for the second time this postseason. The numbers weren’t eye-popping, but the threat of a stretch big certainly opens things up on offense for Golden State. Post will continue to be an important part of the team’s rotation moving forward.
GSW • Guard • #2
about 22 hours ago
Podziemski has made things happen in this series. He scored in double figures in Games 1 and 3, which were wins. He exited early from Game 2, which was a loss. He played 40 minutes in Game 4 and had his best game of the postseason, which helped the Warriors take a 3-1 lead in the series. Podz did a little bit of everything in this game, but he did most of his damage beyond the arc. He’ll look to stay hot in Game 5 on Wednesday to help the Warriors close out the series.
HOU • Guard-Forward • #1
about 22 hours ago
Thompson dealt with some foul trouble in the first half, but he was able to turn things around after the break. He was able to turn in decent numbers, but Thompson’s first postseason hasn’t been as expected. Through four games, he has averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the floor. He has also contributed just 1.3 defensive stats per game after averaging 2.6 per game during the regular season. The Rockets will need him to be much better to keep their season alive in Game 5 on Wednesday.
HOU • Guard • #5
about 22 hours ago
VanVleet has struggled to find his shot in this series, but that wasn’t the case on Monday. He scored 24 of his 25 shots from beyond the arc, and he only took one shot inside the three-point line, which was a miss. He had a chance to force overtime, but his drifting triple fell short. VanVleet will look to stay hot as the series shifts back to Houston for Game 5 on Wednesday. If he’s hitting shots like he did in this game, they will have a chance to keep their season alive.
HOU • Center • #28
about 22 hours ago
After struggling in Saturday’s Game 3 loss, Sengun bounced back with a dominant performance in this game. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to even the series. Sengun had an opportunity to give Houston a late lead, but his shot over Draymond Green was off. Still, it was an impressive showing from Sengun, and he led all scorers in this game. The Rockets now trail 3-1 in the series, but they will head home for Game 5 on Wednesday with an opportunity to regroup and keep their season alive in front of their home crowd.
MIA • Guard • #14
about 24 hours ago
Though this was an excellent season for Herro, it ended on the lowest note possible. After struggling in Game 3, Herro was even worse in Miami’s final game of the year as they were swept in a 55-point loss. The Heat hosted two playoff games and lost by a total of 82 points during them. Herro set career highs for points and assists this season and should be drafted much earlier ahead of the 2025-26 season. However, things got really ugly in this one.
MIA • Center-Forward • #13
1 day ago
What started off as a disappointing season for Adebayo eventually turned into a strong one for him, but it wasn’t enough to change Miami’s fortunes in the postseason. Nothing changes for him entering next season. He’s still the franchise cornerstone, along with Tyler Herro. Adebayo’s production improved after the Jimmy Butler trade, which will hopefully translate into a big 2025-26 season for him, though it may depend on what moves the Heat make this season. Regardless, Adebayo should at least be considered a top-50 player entering next season and has the potential for more.
MIA • Forward • #5
1 day ago
There usually aren’t many positives from a 55-point loss that ends your season, but Jovic’s performance was an encouraging one. He led both teams in scoring, though Cleveland pulling its starters early certainly helped with that. Jovic will turn 22 in June and certainly is one of the bright spots for Miami moving forward. Considering Jovic only returned for the playoffs after being sidelined since February, this type of performance was great to see. He started off last season as a starter and certainly could be in that role again to start next year.
MIA • Forward • #22
1 day ago
Wiggins started off this game poorly and entered halftime without any points. He was better after the break, but the damage was already done at that point. This was a poor series for Wiggins to close out a strange year for him. He started off the season with Golden State but was sent to Miami as part of the Jimmy Butler deal. Wiggins is under contract for two more seasons, and unless he is used to match salaries, he will likely remain with the Heat, unless he chooses to opt out after next season.
CLE • Guard-Forward • #2
1 day ago
This was the first postseason series of Jerome’s career, and it couldn’t have gone much better. He’s still never lost a playoff game, and he averaged 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.5 triples per game in this series. Jerome will continue to provide them with excellent depth, though if Darius Garland (toe) is back from Game 1 of the second round, Jerome may not be as productive, since he will likely lose out on minutes.
CLE • Center • #31
1 day ago
After only missing one shot in a Game 3 blowout win, Allen and the Cavs were even better in the series-clinching victory. They went from winning by 37 to winning by 55, and Allen was perfect from the floor and the free throw line. He also tied the franchise record for steals. What made things more impressive was that he did most of that in the first half as he entered the break with 12 points, 11 rebounds and six swipes. If the score wasn’t so lopsided, this could’ve been a truly special performance for him, though his dominance was the reason for the blowout. He’ll look to carry this into the next round.
CLE • Forward-Guard • #12
1 day ago
Hunter may have posted a dud in Game 1 of this series, but the last three games were all strong performances for him. That was more than enough to help Cleveland advance to the second round. 18 of his 19 points came before halftime, so Hunter certainly could’ve scored more if the game wasn’t over at that point. He’ll continue to play a significant role off the bench as the Cavaliers’ postseason run continues in the conference semifinals.
CLE • Guard • #45
1 day ago
Mitchell only needed 25 minutes in this game to lead the Cavs in scoring and help them advance to the second round of the playoffs. Things got out of hand quickly, and they were able to take a 39-point lead into halftime. Mitchell certainly could’ve had a bigger night if this game was remotely close. They’ll take on the winner of the Pacers/Bucks series, and with Indiana leading 3-1 and hosting on Tuesday, Cleveland may not get a ton of time to rest before their second-round series begins.
GSW • Guard • #7
1 day ago
With Butler back, Jonathan Kuminga will be pushed out of the starting lineup and could certainly end up being out of the rotation entirely. Hield will replace Quinten Post in the starting unit after playing well in Game 3.
Source: Anthony Slater
HOU • Center • #12
1 day ago
Adams has been cleared to play shortly after being made a late addition to the injury report. He’ll continue to fill out the backup center minutes, which means there won’t be any extra time for Jock Landale.
Source: Kelly Iko
HOU • Center • #12
1 day ago
Adams is a late addition to the injury report and may end up missing Monday’s game. Jock Landale has been cleared to play and will fill out the backup center minutes behind Alperen Sengun if Adams is out.
Source: NBA Injury Report
DEN • Forward • #1
1 day ago
MPJ is still dealing with the left shoulder injury that he suffered in Game 2, but it isn’t expected to impact his availability on Tuesday. He played 42 minutes in Game 4 and scored 17 points with four three-pointers. Expect him to continue to play significant minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
DEN • Guard • #4
1 day ago
Westbrook missed Game 4, but interim head coach David Adelman just relied on his starters more than usual. If Westbrook misses another game, expect the starters to all play 40-plus minutes once again. Peyton Watson was the only reserve to play more than 10 minutes, and he played 13.
Source: NBA Injury Report
CLE • Guard • #10
1 day ago
This will be a second straight absence for Garland after he also missed Saturday’s 37-point drubbing. Sam Merrill started in his place in Game 3 and should remain in that role once again, though Ty Jerome will also take on more minutes off the bench.
Source: Chris Fedor
MIA • Forward-Guard • #20
1 day ago
Anderson was a late addition to the injury report, but he will suit up for Game 4. Slo Mo played six minutes in Game 1 but didn’t see the floor in Game 2 or Game 3. Don’t expect that to change with Miami looking to keep its season alive.
Source: Anthony Chiang
GSW • • #
1 day ago
Butler will return after missing Game 3, which is what we were expecting. Jonathan Kuminga started in place of Butler on Saturday, but he will likely be pushed to the bench and out of the rotation. Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II will also lose minutes with Butler back.
Source: Chris Hanyes
IND • Guard-Forward • #23
1 day ago
Nesmith is dealing with a bruise on his lower back, but it isn’t expected to impact his status for Game 5. Nesmith has played 27.5 minutes per game during this series, and that should continue as the Pacers look to close things out on Tuesday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
IND • Guard-Forward • #00
1 day ago
Mathurin missed Game 4, which allowed Ben Sheppard to play 22 minutes off the bench in a blowout win. If Mathurin is sidelined again, Sheppard should once again play a significant role as the Pacers look to close out the series at home.
Source: NBA Injury Report
GSW • • #
1 day ago
Butler was sidelined for Game 3 after taking a hard fall in Game 2, but Butler is expected to be back with a chance to take a 3-1 lead in this series. Jonathan Kuminga played 17 minutes as the starter in place of Butler on Saturday, while Buddy Hield, Moses Moody and Gary Payton II all played at least 20 minutes off the bench. Kuminga would likely be pushed back out of the rotation if Butler returns.
Source: Shams Charania
MIL • Forward • #21
1 day ago
Smith has been sidelined for this entire series, and that isn’t expected to change on Tuesday. However, he wouldn’t have been part of the rotation if he was healthy.
Source: NBA Injury Report
BOS • Guard-Forward • #7
1 day ago
Brown has been listed as questionable for a third straight game. He was able to suit up for the first two. After scoring 21 points in Game 4 on Sunday, expect Brown to once again be a reliable scoring option on Tuesday. If he isn’t able to play, Sam Hauser or Payton Pritchard would likely move into the starting lineup.
Source: NBA Injury Report
BOS • Guard • #4
1 day ago
This will be the third straight game that Holiday has missed with this hamstring issue. With a chance to close this series out at home, Al Horford will remain in the starting unit once again.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • F-C • #13
1 day ago
The recovery timetable for this procedure is three-to-four months, so Olynyk should be back before training camp. Olynyk was in and out of the lineup just before the end of the regular season, though that can at least partially be attributed to New Orleans looking to improve its lottery odds. Olynyk is entering the final season of a two-year deal that he initially signed with the Raptors.
Source: Will Guillory
