NBA Player News

Gasol is playing in Spain right now but said the “door is not closed” on a possible return. “I texted him when we had no bigs,” Conley said. “I said, ‘If you wanna come back, now’s the time.’ ... “He’s happy. I don’t know if he’ll return. But I told him the invitation is out there.” As much as we’d like to see him in the states again, it’s unlikely that Marc would have any fantasy value.

Green did not provide much value as a scorer, which is par for his course. But he was impactful in other ways, including recording a team-high 10 assists and four “stocks.” With Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler leading the way offensively, Green’s mastery of the “little things” will be critical in Golden State’s first-round matchup with Houston. Game 1 is on Sunday night.

While his injured right thumb remains problematic, it did not keep Curry from showing up when it mattered most on Tuesday. The Warriors guard scored 15 of the team’s final 19 points, as Golden State avoided blowing a game they led by as much as 20. Curry shot 3-of-4 from beyond the arc during the fourth quarter, and his two free throws with 3.4 seconds remaining sealed the outcome. Golden State’s reward is much-needed time off and a matchup with the Rockets. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday in Houston.

Tuesday’s Play-In tournament matchup was not an official playoff game, but it was the Warriors fans’ official introduction to Butler as a postseason weapon. While he did not record the best free-throw percentage, racking up 18 attempts cannot be ignored. Butler has added a needed dimension to the Warriors on both ends of the floor, especially offensively. His ability to work out of the post and get to the foul line will be vital in the playoffs, which the Warriors will begin on Sunday in Houston in a 2/7 matchup.

One of the NBA’s best defenders, Daniels is in a position where his team also needs consistent offensive production. He struggled against the Magic, which is unsurprising based on what happened during the regular season. In three appearances against Orlando, Daniels averaged 11.7 points per game on 42.9 percent shooting. He’ll need to be much better on Friday night if the Hawks are to reach the postseason. Atlanta will host the winner of Wednesday’s game between Miami and Chicago on Friday, with the winner being the eighth seed in the East.

After sitting out Sunday’s regular-season finale, Okongwu had a minimal impact on Tuesday’s proceedings in Orlando. This performance was a far cry from his production in an April 8 loss to the Magic, in which the Hawks center went for 30 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Okongwu and the Hawks return home for another Play-In tournament game on Friday, as they’ll host the winner of Wednesday’s matchup between Miami and Chicago.

Wagner struggled with his shot on Tuesday but contributed in other ways as Orlando earned the seventh seed in the East. The 13 rebounds were the most he’s grabbed in a game this season, and the Magic wing only hit double figures in that category twice before Tuesday. Add in the assists and steals; all wasn’t lost for DFS players who slotted Wagner into their lineups. That said, Wagner will need to be much better if the Magic are to have any chance of knocking off the Celtics in the first round.

Carter was excellent on Tuesday, and the time off that comes with earning the seventh seed should benefit him. The Magic center rolled his right ankle during the first half and banged knees with a Hawks defender during the third quarter. The good news is that neither injury forced Carter out of Tuesday’s game immediately, and Orlando pulling away during the fourth quarter got him a little more time on the bench late. The Magic don’t play Boston in Game 1 of their first-round series until Sunday, which should help Carter regain strength.

Orlando’s starting backcourt of Cory Joseph and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope combined to score 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field. Black was one of two reserves to pick up the slack, combining with Cole Anthony to score 42 points on 16-of-24 shooting. The second-year guard scored 41 points in Orlando’s final two regular-season games, likely boosting his confidence ahead of the Play-In tournament. Tuesday’s victory means Black and the Magic will be the seventh seed in the East, and they’ll face the reigning champion Celtics in the first round. Game 1 is set for Sunday in Boston.

On a night when starting guards Cory Joseph (5/5/2 with one three-pointer) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (nine points, two assists, one block and one three-pointer) combined to shoot 4-of-14 from the field, the Magic received vital contributions from both “Anthonys.” Cole shot well over 50 percent from the field in scoring his 26 points. His highlights included a 4-of-6 fourth quarter in which he made three three-pointers. Anthony Black also had a big night off the bench, but Cole is the more capable scorer. And he’ll need to play to this level consistently if the Magic are to have a chance of upsetting Boston in the first round. Game 1 is on Sunday.

Young’s frustrating night ended prematurely, as he picked up two quick technical fouls with the game out of reach. He finished with 28 points (8-of-21 FGs, 11-of-12 FTs), two rebounds, six assists, one steal and one three-pointer in 40 minutes. Young and the Hawks will look to rebound on Friday when they host the winner of Wednesday’s game between the Heat and Bulls.