NBA Player News

In one week from now, the Trail Blazers will only have four games remaining on their schedule, and it seems unlikely that Watford will be fully recovered from a bone bruise in a week’s time, so he’s likely done for the year. Greg Brown III might be able to earn some starts over these final eight games for Portland, and there will be more opportunity for guys like Ben McLemore, Elijah Hughes and Keljin Blevins. All those guys are worth a dice roll, but we’ll have a better idea on who the true primary beneficiary is after Monday’s game vs. OKC.

Bradley injured his hip in Thursday’s Game 5 and didn’t return. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told reporters that while the 27-year-old center will dress, it’ll be an in-game decision as to whether he plays or not. Thomas Bryant could play rotation minutes if Bradley ultimately isn’t used. While Bradley hasn’t had much of an impact on the stat sheet, his size would be useful against the Knicks’ frontline.

While Bradley has not been statistically impactful in the Eastern Conference Finals, his strength has been helpful in the Pacers’ matchup with Knicks center and elite offensive rebounder Mitchell Robinson. He strained his left hip flexor during Thursday’s Game 5 defeat and did not return, resulting in Thomas Bryant re-entering the rotation. If Bradley cannot play on Saturday, Bryant should play rotation minutes, but he was not effective in prior matchups with Robinson.

Williamson’s attorneys released a statement calling the charges against him categorically false. While this case plays out in the legal system, the NBA may also choose to open its own investigation. Williamson’s future with New Orleans was a topic of discussion heading into the offseason, and it’s yet unknown how much this lawsuit may impact the front office’s decision to keep him on the roster or move him and take the franchise in a different direction.

Mathurin led the Pacers in scoring as Indiana lost Game 5 by 17 points to the Knicks. The 22-year-old played 25 minutes off the bench, by far the most he’s played in these playoffs. Mathurin has scored 43 points in 37 minutes over the last two games. He figures to be involved once again as the Pacers will look to close out the series at home in Game 6 on Saturday.

Haliburton followed up his brilliant Game 4 performance that brought the Pacers one win away from an NBA Finals appearance with a dud in Game 5. The 25-year-old point guard perhaps suffered more than anyone from the slowed-down pace of Game 5 compared to the rest of the series. Haliburton managed just eight points on seven shots as he was largely taken out of the game by the Knicks defense. The Pacers will have two more chances to close out the series, starting with Game 6 in Indiana on Saturday.

Hart came off the bench again as he has for the past three games now. The 30-year-old shooting guard continues to play heavy minutes despite his ouster from the starting lineup. Hart had perhaps his biggest impact of the series in this game as he scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. It’s likely the Knicks will continue to roll with Mitchell Robinson in the starting lineup in Game 6, though Hart should still play at least 30 minutes off the bench.

Towns came through for the Knicks again in Game 5 despite playing through a knee injury. The 29-year-old power forward had 24 points as he was able to be Jalen Brunson’s running mate yet again in this series. Towns and Brunson became the first teammates to each score at least 20 points in the first five games of a Conference Finals since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 2002. Despite the injury, Towns played well and seems poised for another big game on the road as the Pacers host Game 6 on Saturday.

Brunson became one of 10 guards in NBA playoff history to have at least 10 games with at least 30 points in a single playoffs. The 28-year-old point guard was plus-18 in 34 minutes as the Knicks were facing elimination at home in Game 5. Brunson will once again be the Knicks’ go-to guy as they look to force a Game 7 with a win in Indiana during Saturday’s Game 6.

No surprise here as Towns is available after he was initially listed as questionable. The 29-year-old power forward injured his knee towards the end of Game 4 and was noticeably limping despite staying in the game. Towns is in the starting lineup for Game 5, but if his mobility is significantly impacted, Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart will have to step up for the Knicks to extend this series to a Game 6.

Nesmith was also questionable for Game 4, but played 32 minutes as the Pacers took a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. The 25-year-old small forward was the hero in the Pacers’ Game 1 victory and is poised to play through the ankle injury once again in Game 5. Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard could see extra minutes off the bench if Nesmith is limited in any way or re-aggravates the injury.