NBA Player News

Crabbe is still 29 years old but he’s fighting an uphill battle to reclaim an NBA roster spot. He last played for the Wolves and Hawks in 2019-20, averaging 4.6 points on 35.6% shooting, including 30.3% from deep. To generate any interest from NBA teams, he’ll first need to prove his 3-point touch has returned.

Robinson gave the Knicks a welcome boost during the first half of Game 2, extending multiple possessions due to his work on the offensive glass. He also recorded a few blocked shots, but New York’s many defensive lapses during the second half were too much to overcome. Also concerning for the Knicks was Robinson appearing to roll his left ankle during the third quarter. The good news is that he stayed in the game, and this was not the ankle operated on twice last season. Given the lack of consistent bench production, New York will need Robinson to be at his best for Game 3 on Sunday, especially now that they’re in a 0-2 hole.

After recording a gaudy stat line in Wednesday’s overtime defeat, Towns was less effective in Game 2. Making matters worse for the Knicks were multiple defensive lapses during the third quarter, prompting Tom Thibodeau to go with Mitchell Robinson as the lone big on the court for a stretch that extended well into the fourth quarter. Despite his performance against Nikola Jokic in last season’s Western Conference Finals, Towns has never been labeled a lockdown defender. That said, the Knicks need him to be better than he was in Game 3 on Sunday, as they trail two games to none.

As Tyrese Haliburton’s primary defender, Bridges has been asked to log heavy minutes in the Eastern Conference Finals. After playing 46 minutes in Game 1, he played another 45 on Friday, proving to be New York’s second-best offensive option. Once again, Bridges got going after halftime, shooting 8-of-13 from the field in the second half. With New York heading into Sunday’s Game 3 trailing two games to none, Bridges’ playing time is unlikely to decrease, especially with Josh Hart (6/6/1/1/1 in 29 minutes) not providing much offense.

Brunson did what he could to drag the Knicks over the finish line in Game 2, but Indiana’s offensive production was too much to overcome. The point guard did make franchise history, however, notching his 19th 30-point playoff game as a Knick. Brunson is now atop the list, passing Patrick Ewing (18 postseason 30-point games) with Friday’s performance. Regardless of who the Pacers have assigned to Brunson, he’s managed to get his points, and the turnovers were kept in check after he racked up seven in Game 1. New York will need Brunson to be at his best for Sunday’s Game 3, as they head to Indianapolis in a 0-2 hole.

Turner has struggled with rebounding thus far. That said, he recorded complete stat lines in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, which the Pacers lead two games to none. Turner played 33 minutes on Friday, and the gap between him and New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns from a production standpoint was far smaller than in Wednesday’s series opener. Turner and the Pacers will look to take a 3-0 lead when they host Game 3 on Sunday night.

While he didn’t shoot the ball as well as in Game 1, Haliburton had another excellent night setting up his teammates. Not only did he match his assist tally from the series opener, but the Pacers’ starting point guard only committed one turnover. Add in the rebounds and steals, and Haliburton still provided value to those competing in playoff fantasy leagues and DFS tournaments. Boasting an elite assist-to-turnover ratio of 22:3, Haliburton will look to help strengthen Indiana’s grip on the series when the Pacers host Game 3 on Sunday.

Siakam was outstanding in Game 2, helping Indiana take a 2-0 series lead. He shot 8-of-13 from the field in the first half, scoring a playoff career-high 23 points. The Knicks didn’t have an answer for Spicy P after the break, either, as he finished with a career-high point total and one blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Indiana’s offensive execution is why they’re ahead in the series, and when all else failed in Game 2, they could give Siakam the ball and watch him go to work. Game 3 is on Sunday night in Indianapolis.

After an excellent performance in Game 1 on Tuesday, Randle was poor on Thursday. While the rebounds and assists may provide solace, he could not find his groove offensively. Needing a spark, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch decided to go in a different direction, with Randle not playing at all during the fourth quarter. He’ll look to bounce back when the Timberwolves host Game 3 on Saturday night.

With Naz Reid (10/8/0/1/2) and Donte DiVincenzo (8/3/3 with two three-pointers) both shooting 3-of-8 from the field, Alexander-Walker did most of the heavy lifting for the Timberwolves’ reserves in Game 2. The 17 points are the most he’s scored in a game since Game 2 of the second round, when he dropped 20 on the Warriors. Nights like Thursday have not been the norm for Alexander-Walker, so Minnesota will need more from Reid and DiVincenzo to win this series. With the action shifting to Minneapolis, the Timberwolves hope the belief that reserves play better at home rings true.

McDaniels has taken on the unenviable task of defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and his emotions got the best of him late in Game 2. The Timberwolves forward was whistled for a flagrant foul after shoving SGA to the floor, but that does not tell the whole story of McDaniels’ night. After scoring seven points in the series opener, he more than tripled that number on Thursday, shooting over 50 percent from the field. McDaniels can undoubtedly be productive as a scorer, but expecting 20-plus points per night while also having to defend a player of Gilgeous-Alexander’s caliber is a lot to ask. Game 3 is on Saturday night in Minneapolis.