NBA Player News

He has no fantasy value, but has resumed his NBA career.

Garland is officially questionable with a left great big toe sprain. He could end up being a game-time decision given the high stakes of the playoffs. Ty Jerome would be a candidate to move into the starting lineup and see additional minutes if Garland is ultimately ruled out Saturday.

Kerr went on to say he thinks there’s a chance Butler plays. The 35-year-old small forward is officially listed as questionable with a pelvis and deep muscle contusion that forced him to leave Game 2 early. If Butler can’t go, Jonathan Kuminga will move into the rotation again in Game 3.

Morant exited early from Game 3 after a scary fall while attempting a layup. Memphis had a large lead when he exited, but they weren’t able to hold on, and they’ll now enter Game 4 without their star point guard and trailing 0-3 in the series. Scotty Pippen Jr. should take over point guard duties, while Luke Kennard will likely replace Morant in the starting unit after starting the second half in his place.

Both reserves will miss another game of this series, but neither would likely have been part of the rotation in the postseason. Their continued absences will not have an impact on this series.

Butler has officially been diagnosed with a pelvis and deep gluteal muscle contusion after undergoing an MRI. This lines up with ESPN’s Shams Charania’s report from Thursday night. Jonathan Kuminga returned to the rotation after Butler exited early and will likely play a significant role once again if Butler is sidelined on Saturday.

Brown wasn’t listed on the initial injury report but now has a chance to miss this game. Jayson Tatum (wrist) is once again listed as doubtful, and Jrue Holiday (hamstring) is also questionable, so Boston could be very shorthanded on Friday. Both Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard would be in line to play significant roles if Brown is sidelined.

Westbrook only played nine first-half minutes before heading to the locker room with an inflamed left foot. His exit resulted in second-half rotation minutes for Julian Strawther, who missed his lone shot attempt and finished with one rebound and one blocked shot in 11 minutes. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, the turnaround will be quick, as Game 4 is on Saturday. Strawther and Jalen Pickett will be asked to contribute more if Westbrook is unable to play.

Porter was a game-time decision for Game 3 after injuring his left shoulder late in Monday’s Game 2 defeat. While he did play 35 minutes, the Nuggets forward was largely ineffective, shooting 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. Porter has a Grade 2 AC joint sprain, an injury that can sideline a player for multiple weeks. But, since it’s the postseason, he’s trying to play through the ailment. With Aaron Gordon (calf) and Russell Westbrook (foot) also dealing with injuries, the Nuggets will be in a tough spot for Saturday’s Game 4.

Gordon got off to a hot start Thursday night, scoring 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field in the first quarter. Unfortunately for him, that was as good as it got in Game 3, and a lingering right calf injury could be a factor. During the game, the NBATV announcers reported that Nuggets interim coach David Adelman had informed them that Gordon would not be playing if it were the regular season. But it’s the postseason, so the veteran forward is doing his best to push through the injury. Game 4 is on Saturday in Los Angeles.

Murray has scored 21 points or more in all three games of this series, shooting over 50 percent from the field in Games 2 and 3. Unfortunately for him and the Nuggets, Thursday’s stat line was recorded in a 34-point defeat. Murray has recorded at least three turnovers in all three games. While the lackluster performances from some of his teammates were more significant issues in Game 3, the Nuggets don’t have much margin for error in a series they now trail two games to one. Game 4 is on Saturday.